Upgrading your cabinets to soft close is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any special tools or expertise. You’ll need special cabinet hardware, or “soft close mechanism,” to make your cabinets soft close.
You can purchase these from most home improvement retailers or online stores.
To begin, you’ll need to know the measurements of your cabinet doors. Make sure to measure the inside of the cabinet door opening, the door itself and the gap between the door and the cabinet interior.
You’ll use these measurements to get the right soft close hardware.
Once you have the proper hardware, start by removing any existing knobs, handles, or hinges. Then loosen the screws that hold the cabinet door in place and remove it. Next, mount your soft close mechanisms to the cabinet itself and reattach the door.
Depending on the particular type of hardware you purchased, you may need to mount a switch positioned near the hinge. Both the cabinet interior and exterior have to have holes to fit these switches.
After all the hardware is in place, you can adjust your soft close mechanism. Tighten or loosen the screws connected to the door to increase or decrease the tension on the mechanisms hinges. You can then test the cabinet door to make sure that it closes properly.
Once you have everything set up properly, you can reattach the knobs, handles, or hinges. Make sure that all hardware is secure before using your cabinets.
Upgrading your cabinets to soft close can be a relatively quick and easy process, but make sure to take your time and to follow all directions provided by the hardware manufacturer. Also, if you’re unsure about anything contact a professional for help.
How do you install soft close hinges on old cabinets?
Installing soft close hinges on old cabinets can be a bit tricky and time consuming, but with some patience, you can do it yourself! Before getting started, make sure you have the right type of hinges for your cabinets – soft close hinges are usually sold as either ‘standard’ or ‘concealed’.
When you’ve acquired your hinges, then you can begin the installation process.
First, use a power drill to unscrew the old hinges and remove them from the cabinet. Then, use a putty knife to remove any glue or old paint that may have remained on the cabinet. Once everything is clean and dry, you can begin installing the new hinges.
Start by positioning the hinges in the same spot where you removed the old ones. Make sure that each hinge corresponds to the same hole that you took the old one out of. Once you’re sure the hinges are in the right spot, use a drill to secure them in place.
Now, it’s time to attach the leaf of the hinge; the leaf is the part of the hinge that acts as a hinge and allows the cabinet door to close. Make sure the leaf is positioned correctly before you screw it in.
If the leaf is slightly off, the door won’t close properly.
Finally, use a damp cloth to wipe any excess glue or paint that may have gotten on the door or hinges while you were installing them. That’s it! Your soft close hinges are now installed and ready to use.
How much does it cost to change cabinets to soft close?
The cost of changing existing cabinets to soft close depends on the existing cabinetry and the extent of the changes being made. Generally speaking, replacing existing hinges and latches with new soft-closing hinges and latches costs around $20-50 per door, depending on the quality and brand of the new hardware.
If the cabinets are structurally sound and thermofoil doors or panels are in good condition, changing the hinges and latches might be enough to create a soft close. If the cabinets need to be refaced or replaced with solid wood doors and panels, however, the cost to transition to soft close hinges and latches could be significantly higher.
Replacement of the doors and panels can range from $500-$2000 depending on the size and material chosen. Additionally, most soft close systems require a certain amount of electrical wiring to power the motorized mechanisms.
Labor costs associated with installing the wiring and motor assemblies can run from $150-$250 per opening.
In summary, changing existing cabinets to soft close hinges and latches generally costs between $20-50 per door, while installation of motorized mechanisms could range significantly in cost depending on the extent of the job.
Can drawers be converted to soft close?
Yes, drawers can be converted to soft close by adding soft close adapters. Soft close adapters are made to fit the existing draw slides and are available in a variety of sizes. They work by using a pressure damping mechanism that closes the drawer automatically, resulting in a quieter and more controlled motion each time the drawer is opened and closed.
The adapter is easy to install, so no special tools are necessary. Adding soft close adapters to drawers can help prevent them from slamming shut and reduce the likelihood of jostling items in the drawer.
Can you add soft close to existing cabinets and drawers?
Yes, you can usually add soft-close to existing cabinets and drawers. Depending on the type of cabinetry you have. If the cabinets have an existing bottom mount drawer glide, you can replace them with newer soft-close models that are compatible with the current hardware.
Alternatively, you can install a soft-close adapter to the existing drawer slide. This attaches to the drawer and makes it close more quietly by providing a small but stiff buffer that slows and stops the drawer from closing abruptly.
Lastly, if you have frameless cabinets, you can use a clip-on soft-close adapter that attaches to the sides of the drawer boxes. This method utilizes a special spring-loaded hinge that restricts the drawer’s closing speed, providing a gentle and quiet closing action.
Ultimately, the best option for adding soft-close functionality to your cabinet drawers will depend on the type of cabinetry you have.
Is soft close cabinets worth it?
Soft close cabinets are definitely worth it because they offer convenience, comfort, and safety. They provide a smoother, safer experience than traditional cabinets with simple hinges that can be hard to close and can even cause pinched fingers.
They are also quick and easy to install and don’t require any special tools or hardware. Soft close cabinets close gently so that your dishes and other kitchen items don’t get damaged. This makes it much easier to organize your cabinets and keep them looking neat and tidy.
Additionally, soft close cabinets are environmentally friendly because they reduce the amount of energy used by reducing noise and wear and tear. Finally, soft close cabinets have been known to increase the longevity of cabinets, which can save money in the long-term.
To sum it up, soft close cabinets are definitely worth it as they provide convenience, comfort, safety, and environmental benefits.
Can you replace cabinet hinges with soft close?
Yes, you can replace cabinet hinges with soft close hinges to add a more luxurious look and feel to the cabinet doors. Soft close hinges allow the doors to close slowly and silently without the need to manually close them.
This feature not only provides convenience, but it can also help to protect the hardware from excessive wear and tear as well as door slamming. The installation process is relatively easy and requires very little modifications to the existing cabinet framework.
You can also use soft close hinges to upgrade the look of existing cabinets without having to buy an entirely new set of doors. Additionally, these hinges are relatively affordable and are available in a variety of finishes from polished chrome to antique brass.
Can you upgrade drawer slides?
Yes, you can upgrade drawer slides. To do so, you will need to remove the existing slides and measure the area that they occupied. If you’re replacing them with the same type of slides (side-mount, bottom-mount, etc.
), this is relatively straightforward. Once you have the dimensions, you can purchase new slides of the same size and style. If you’re upgrading to a different type of slide, such as under-mount slides, you may need to modify your drawer boxes or build new ones to accommodate them.
Installing the new slides is generally similar to the installation of the original slides; it’s just a matter of aligning them and attaching them to the drawer box and cabinet using screws.
Do both hinges need to be soft close?
No, it is not necessary to have both hinges soft close. Soft close is a feature on a hinge that prevents the door slamming when it is closed. When you opt for soft close hinges, you will usually choose one hinge to be soft close – usually the one which closes last.
Soft close hinges are designed to provide a smooth and convenient closing of the door, however they are an added cost. So, if you don’t mind the “slam” of the door closing, you can opt to just have one soft close hinge installed.