Can you measure kitchen cabinet doors yourself? Yes, you absolutely can! Measuring kitchen cabinet doors accurately is a crucial step for any DIY enthusiast or homeowner looking to replace or update their kitchen cabinets. Getting your cabinet door dimensions right ensures that new doors will fit perfectly, saving you time, money, and potential headaches. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of DIY cabinet door measurement, from understanding the basics to mastering the techniques for different cabinet types. We’ll cover everything you need to know for successful kitchen cabinet replacement measurements and give you the confidence for custom cabinet door sizing.
Image Source: cdn.shopify.com
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s briefly touch upon why precision is paramount.
- Perfect Fit: The most obvious reason is to ensure your new doors fit the cabinet openings or frames precisely. Doors that are too large won’t close properly, and doors that are too small will leave unsightly gaps.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Gaps or ill-fitting doors detract from the overall look of your kitchen. Accurate measurements contribute to a polished and professional finish.
- Cost Savings: Ordering doors with incorrect dimensions often leads to restocking fees or the need to reorder, which can be costly.
- Ease of Installation: Properly sized doors are much easier to install, making the overall renovation process smoother.
- Hardware Alignment: Accurate door measurements also help in correctly positioning hinges and handles for optimal function and appearance.
Gathering Your Tools
Having the right tools makes any job easier. For measuring your cabinet doors, you’ll need:
- Metal Tape Measure: A sturdy metal tape measure is essential for accurate readings. Avoid fabric tape measures as they can stretch.
- Pen or Pencil: For marking measurements or jotting down notes.
- Paper or Notebook: To record your measurements clearly.
- Someone to Assist (Optional but Recommended): While you can measure doors yourself, having a second person can help hold the tape measure steady, especially for larger doors or when working at awkward angles.
Deciphering Cabinet Styles: Overlay vs. Inset
The method for measuring cabinet fronts depends significantly on the type of cabinet door installation you have: overlay or inset. It’s vital to correctly identify which style your cabinets are before you begin.
Overlay Cabinets
Overlay cabinet doors are the most common type. They are larger than the cabinet opening and “overlay” or cover the face frame of the cabinet box. This creates a more seamless and modern look.
Measuring Overlay Cabinets involves taking measurements of the door itself, not the cabinet opening.
Inset Cabinets
Inset cabinet doors sit inside the cabinet frame, flush with the surrounding wood. This style offers a more traditional or classic look, and often requires more precise installation.
Measuring Inset Cabinets involves measuring the opening within the cabinet frame, and then subtracting a small amount for clearance.
How to Tell the Difference
- Look at the Gaps: With overlay cabinets, you’ll see a consistent reveal or gap around the edges of the door where it meets the cabinet frame. With inset cabinets, the door sits flush within the frame, with minimal or no visible gap.
- Check the Door Size: Overlay doors are typically larger than the opening they cover, while inset doors are smaller than the opening.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Let’s get down to the specifics of how to measure for your new doors.
Measuring for Overlay Cabinets
This is the most straightforward method. You’ll be measuring the existing door.
Step 1: Identify the Door to Measure
Choose one door to measure that is in good condition and representative of the size you need. If you have different sizes, you’ll need to measure each unique size.
Step 2: Measure the Height
- Place the end of your metal tape measure against the top edge of the cabinet door.
- Extend the tape measure straight down to the bottom edge of the door.
- Read the measurement. Record this number precisely. It’s good practice to measure to the nearest 1/16th of an inch for maximum accuracy.
Step 3: Measure the Width
- Place the end of your metal tape measure against the left edge of the cabinet door.
- Extend the tape measure straight across to the right edge of the door.
- Read the measurement and record it accurately. Again, aim for 1/16th of an inch precision.
Step 4: Double-Check Your Measurements
It’s always a good idea to measure each door you plan to replace. Measure the height and width of a few different doors to ensure consistency. If you find significant variations, it might indicate that your cabinet frames are not perfectly square, or that some doors have been replaced with slightly different sizes over time. In such cases, you might need to decide whether to order doors based on the majority size or a specific door, or even consider cabinet adjustments if the variation is large.
Table: Overlay Cabinet Door Measurement Example
| Door Position | Height (in inches) | Width (in inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Left | 30 1/4 | 18 1/8 |
| Upper Right | 30 1/4 | 18 1/8 |
| Drawer Front A | 6 7/8 | 36 1/4 |
| Drawer Front B | 6 7/8 | 36 1/4 |
Measuring for Inset Cabinets
For inset cabinets, you need to measure the opening within the face frame and then make an adjustment.
Step 1: Identify the Opening to Measure
Locate the opening within the cabinet’s face frame where the door sits.
Step 2: Measure the Height of the Opening
- Place the end of your metal tape measure on the inside top edge of the face frame opening.
- Extend the tape measure straight down to the inside bottom edge of the face frame opening.
- Record this measurement.
Step 3: Measure the Width of the Opening
- Place the end of your metal tape measure on the inside left edge of the face frame opening.
- Extend the tape measure straight across to the inside right edge of the face frame opening.
- Record this measurement.
Step 4: Apply the Clearance Adjustment
For inset doors, you typically want a small, consistent gap around all sides for smooth operation and to account for wood expansion/contraction. A common recommendation is to subtract 1/8 inch (or 1/16 inch from each side) from both the height and width measurements.
- New Height = Opening Height – 1/8 inch
- New Width = Opening Width – 1/8 inch
Example: If your opening measures 15 inches wide by 24 inches tall, your new door dimensions should be 14 7/8 inches wide by 23 7/8 inches tall.
Step 5: Double-Check Your Measurements
As with overlay doors, measure multiple inset openings to ensure uniformity. If there are slight variations in the openings, you may need to decide on a single measurement for your replacement doors or contact your cabinet door supplier for advice on how to handle minor discrepancies.
Table: Inset Cabinet Door Measurement Example
| Opening ID | Opening Height (in inches) | Opening Width (in inches) | Calculated Door Height (in inches) | Calculated Door Width (in inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Cabinet 1 | 28 1/2 | 17 3/4 | 28 3/8 | 17 5/8 |
| Base Cabinet 2 | 28 1/2 | 17 3/4 | 28 3/8 | 17 5/8 |
Measuring for Frameless Cabinets
If your cabinets do not have a face frame (common in European-style kitchens), you are essentially measuring for overlay doors.
- Measure the entire cabinet box front: Measure the width and height of the entire cabinet box where the door will attach.
- Determine the overlay: You’ll need to decide how much you want the door to overlay the cabinet box. A common overlay is 1/2 inch to 1 inch on each side.
- Calculate door size:
- Door Width = Cabinet Box Width + (2 x Overlay Amount)
- Door Height = Cabinet Box Height + (2 x Overlay Amount)
Example: For a frameless cabinet box that is 18 inches wide by 30 inches tall, and you want a 1/2 inch overlay on all sides:
* Door Width = 18″ + (2 x 0.5″) = 19″
* Door Height = 30″ + (2 x 0.5″) = 31″
Measuring for Drawer Fronts
Drawer fronts are typically measured the same way as cabinet doors, depending on whether they overlay the drawer box or sit inset within it.
- Overlay Drawer Fronts: Measure the existing drawer front.
- Inset Drawer Fronts: Measure the opening in the drawer box frame and subtract the clearance (usually 1/8 inch).
Special Considerations for Doors with Hinges
When measuring cabinet fronts, particularly for replacement, pay attention to the hinges.
- Hinge Type: Different hinges require different clearances or mounting points. If you are replacing doors and keeping the same hinge style, your new door dimensions should generally be based on the existing door size.
- Overlay Amount: The amount of overlay is crucial. If you are ordering custom doors, you may be asked for the overlay amount. This is the distance the door extends over the cabinet frame.
How to Measure for New Cabinets (General Guidance)
If you’re not just replacing doors but planning a larger kitchen remodel and need how to measure for new cabinets, the process is more extensive:
- Layout: Draw a floor plan of your kitchen.
- Wall Measurements: Measure the length of each wall where cabinets will be installed.
- Window and Door Locations: Note the exact placement and dimensions of windows and doors.
- Obstructions: Measure and mark the locations of outlets, switches, plumbing, and any other fixed elements.
- Appliance Dimensions: Measure your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, etc.
- Cabinet Box Dimensions: For each cabinet location, you’ll typically measure the width, height, and depth of the cabinet box itself. The door size will then be calculated based on this box size and the desired overlay.
- Rough Opening vs. Finished Opening: Be aware of the difference between rough openings (before drywall) and finished openings (after drywall and framing).
This guide focuses on door measurements, but accurate cabinet box measurements are the foundation for ordering new cabinets.
Creating a Cabinet Door Template
For very precise custom cabinet door sizing, especially if you have non-standard openings or unique cabinet designs, creating a physical template can be invaluable.
- Materials: Use a large piece of paper, cardboard, or even thin plywood.
- Trace the Opening:
- Overlay: Place your template material over the existing door and carefully trace its exact perimeter.
- Inset: Place your template material over the cabinet frame opening and trace the inner edge of the frame.
- Mark Measurements: Clearly label the template with the height and width measurements you took earlier.
- Cut Out (Optional): For a more robust template, you can cut out the traced shape.
- Use as a Reference: This template can be held up to a new door or used by a cabinet maker to confirm precise dimensions.
What to Do with Your Measurements
Once you have your precise cabinet door dimensions:
- Ordering Replacement Doors: If you’re ordering pre-made doors, ensure the dimensions you provide match your measurements exactly. If ordering custom doors, you’ll likely provide the exact door size required.
- Ordering Custom Doors: When ordering custom doors, suppliers will often ask for the exact dimensions of the door you want. They may also ask for the overlay or inset type.
- DIY Door Making: If you’re making your own cabinet doors, these measurements are your blueprints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring the Cabinet Opening for Overlay Doors: Remember, for overlay doors, measure the door itself, not the opening.
- Not Subtracting Clearance for Inset Doors: Failing to subtract the 1/8 inch clearance will result in inset doors that bind.
- Using a Flexible Tape Measure: Always use a rigid metal tape measure.
- Not Double-Checking: Always measure twice (or even three times) and cut once.
- Ignoring Variations: If you find significant differences between doors of the same type, investigate why.
- Not Accounting for Hardware: While this guide focuses on door size, consider how hinges will attach and function. Some hinges require specific door thicknesses or cutouts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need to measure the inside of my cabinet doors?
A1: No, you typically measure the outside dimensions of the door itself for overlay cabinets, and the inside opening for inset cabinets (then subtract clearance).
Q2: What if my cabinet doors are not square?
A2: Measure each door individually. If ordering custom doors, provide the exact dimensions for each unique door. For mass-produced doors, you may need to choose a standard size that fits most and accept minor adjustments or gaps on a few.
Q3: How much of an overlay should I aim for?
A3: Common overlays for overlay cabinets range from 1/2 inch to 1 inch. The amount of overlay dictates how much the door covers the cabinet frame and the reveal between doors. If you are replacing doors and keeping the same look, match the existing overlay. If ordering new cabinets, discuss overlay options with your designer or supplier.
Q4: What is the standard gap for inset doors?
A4: A standard gap, or clearance, for inset doors is typically 1/8 inch total (1/16 inch on each side) to allow for smooth opening and closing and to accommodate wood expansion.
Q5: Can I use a digital measuring tool?
A5: While digital measuring tools can be precise, a good quality metal tape measure is generally sufficient and often more practical for this task. Ensure any digital tool is calibrated and used correctly.
Q6: What are cabinet door “reveal” measurements?
A6: Reveal refers to the visible gap between cabinet doors or between a door and the cabinet frame when the doors are closed. This is a key consideration in overlay cabinet design.
Q7: How do I measure for a lazy susan cabinet door?
A7: Lazy Susan cabinet doors are usually custom-made to fit the specific corner cabinet opening. You’ll need to measure the width and height of the opening, and potentially the depth, depending on the design. It’s often best to consult with the cabinet maker or supplier for precise measurement requirements for specialty cabinets like these.
Accurate measurement is the cornerstone of a successful kitchen cabinet door replacement or upgrade. By following these steps and paying close attention to the details of overlay versus inset styles, you can confidently take the measurements needed to achieve a beautiful and functional kitchen. Happy measuring!