Ordering cabinet doors online?

8 years ago

Hey there - I'm planning to replace my cabinet doors (photo) with simpler solid wood shaker doors (and yes, I'm removing the ugly microwave)

My current cabinets doors are partial overlay but I want to order full overlay doors. I want to spend around $1k (small kitchen) and install them myself. I'm planning to order from an online store (not sure which one yet).

Anyone have experience ordering doors online? If so, how did it work out? Is it very difficult to get the measurements right?

I know nothing beats custom made/professionally installed but I can't spend much.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Insufficient budget. And you will need hinges and to bore the cabinets too. There’s a heck of a lot more to this than you think. And more expense. You really need to know what you’re doing or you will have wasted $3600.

You’d do better putting that money into a quality paint job. The budget won’t be enough for that either. You’ll need to buy a spray gun and proper materials. More than 1K. And you’d have that same expense with the bought cabinet doors as well. Plus the expense of the doors.

Plus you have the expense of a new hood and vent pipe.

There is no way to do this project under 1K. It’s not under 5K.

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Comments (13)

tatts
8 years ago
I didn't order online (I went through Lowe's), but the ordering and measuring were the same. The company I bought from needed measurements exact to 1/8" for partial overlay doors like yours.

I see 7 doors in your photo. Let's add 4 below and a bank of drawers or 5 with a drawer in each box. That's 11 or 12 doors and 4 or 5 drawers on that wall. Divide $1000 by those numbers, and it's going to be tight. I would not expect success with full overlay with aftermarket doors.
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janedoe2012
8 years ago
Seems like the measuring would be do-able because you can use the existing doors as a reference. I would go slow - start with one door on an upper with a single door. If that works, try an upper with two doors...And be prepared to stop and eat the costs at any time. Better to throw away $200 than $1000.
Nor
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the replies and guidance! I didn't see the notifications so I'm a bit late to reply.
I already have an air spray gun and am very experienced spraying so I'll save on that. I'll have to look into how to install the new hinges and bore the cabinets because that does seem very tricky - so I'd increase he budget to get that done right by a pro.
I see some online retailers that sell solid doors for around $20/door based on the selection and measurements I chose (unfinished solid maple shaker). That's why I thought I could keep the cost so low for the door replacing.
Nor
Original Author
8 years ago
@janedoe I like your idea of ordering two doors to start and seeing if it's doable so that I don't waste too much money if it's not. Thanks!
felizlady
8 years ago
If you really can do the paint job yourself, I would suggest you use the cabinetry you have, unless they are in poor condition which we can't see in the photo. They look very nice except for the color.
Nor
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks Feliz. I've thought of keeping the doors but I think the partial overlay looks dated now, and I hate the businesses of the center panel on each door. It would be a lot easier though and cheaper so I haven't ruled that out
PRO
Carolina Kitchen & Bath
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Whoever you order from, talk to them about boring the holes for the hinges. Ask yourself what could possibly go wrong with this project and then make sure you cover all those eventualities. Are you talking with Conestoga Wood Specialties? They do cabinet doors and drawer fronts; I've ordered from them before and have been satisfied with their quality.
Nor
Original Author
8 years ago
haven't heard of Conestoga Wood Specialties, im going to check them out. Thanks for the recommendation!
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
That’s not partial overlay. It’s full overlay. And there is nothing wrong with those doors. Conestoga requires a Pro account or a third party intermediary.

This is partial overlay.
Diane
8 years ago
IMO your cabinets are nice I would paint and add great hardware. If you are going with new doors you can buy a tool that guides you on boring for the hinges.
PRO
Carolina Kitchen & Bath
8 years ago
Sophie, some cabinet companies have called those doors 1/2 or 1/4 overlay.

Also, it would be good if a qualified third party came in and did the measurements for the order. Nor, a project like this is hard to order for if you haven't done it before. Talk to one of their dealers. Here's how to buy.
PRO
Brian Gannon
8 years ago
Barker cabinet doors. I make cabinets and sometimes you cant compete with the big boys. don't see those as full overlay but in the end you have a vision and getting to that point is all that matters.

IKEA is unbeatable price wise and if you priced out new cabinets you will be shocked at how reasonable they are. If there is anything wrong with your boxes or long hours of sanding and prep not your thing go IKEA. In the end you will have a new kitchen rather then lipstick on a pig!!

The cheap doors are MDF which will work regardless of all the I hate MDF cheerleaders. The problem is priming MDF is not easy and needs non over the counter products to avoid fuzz on the edges. You can have Barker pre prime which is worth every penny they charge. I have personally use them and can tell you they are quality and show up well wrapped and quicker then you could imagine. They are also very helpful if you don't know how to measure. Remember measuring also requires the right hinge for what your attempting to do it isn't just the size of the door.