Whether the hinges on your RTA kitchen cabinet doors have rusted away or they just need an upgrade, the process requires some research and preparation. First, you need to remove the current hinges. Use care if they are rusty and old, and discard the old hinges, mounting plates and screws. Read on to learn more about replacing your kitchen cabinet door hinges, whether you’re choosing the same style or a new style of hinge.
Replacing with similar type hinges
If you’re choosing a similar or the same style hinge, you only need to do a few things to prep the kitchen cabinet doors. See if the holes on the new hinges are aligned the same and ensure you have the correct screws. Repaint the doors before installing the new hinges. You’ll need assistance to hold the cabinet door against the frame to screw the new hinges on. Replacing hinges with existing holes won’t take more than an hour for even a novice carpenter. Changing your hinges to better match your kitchen décor or to replace rusted out ones is a great way to enhance your kitchen cabinets with ease. Consider an antique or polished brass finish on your hinge for a rustic look. Or keep the focus on your attractive doors with concealed hinges.
Replacing with a different type of hinge
On the other hand, if you’re installing a brand new style of hinge for your kitchen cabinet door, more preparation is required. Say you currently have basic butt hinges on your doors, but you want to replace them with more discrete concealed hinges. Butt hinges don’t extend as far as concealed hinges with mounting plates. Take care to still align the hinges the same as your old hinges. Use a pencil and ruler to mark a line on the cabinet frame from the holes of the old hinge, making it a bit longer than the new hinge. This will aid you in aligning the door back onto the cabinet. Whether you’re lining the hinge up directly in the same spot, or higher or lower, this process offers precise results. If necessary, you’ll need a hinge-cutting bit to drill a new recess to install the hinge in a different spot.
When the new hinges are installed, you get to enjoy a functional and aesthetic new look. Make sure to open and close your kitchen cabinet door several times to ensure the hinges are positioned properly and at the right level. The best part about replacing hinges is that it allows you to clean out your cabinets and update them if you so choose. Consider new pulls or knobs as well to complete the transformation.