How to Install Louvered Cabinet Doors

Louvered cabinet doors are a new style that will add an appealing look to your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Louvered doors have a middle section that looks like shutters. Typically used for closets, these doors are also available now for cabinets. Installing louvered cabinet doors are not very different from installing standard cabinet doors.

The only consideration is to make sure that the hardware you choose does not overlap the louvered part of the cabinet door. Cabinet doors are not difficult to install, but make sure that you take the time to make them hang straight and open smoothly. This article will outline the steps needed to install the hardware and mount the louvered cabinet door to the cabinets.

Step 1 - Attach the Hardware to the Door

The first thing you need to do is attach the hardware that you have selected to the louvered door. Make sure that you check that the hardware you have purchased does not overlap the louvered section of the door at all. Depending on how high your cabinet door is, determine how many hinges you will need.

Two hinges is sufficient for most cabinet doors, but if your door is taller than 30 inches, you will need to add a third hinge evenly spaced between the first two hinges. You need to attach the top hinge 2 inches from the top of the cabinet door. Then attach the bottom hinge 2 inches from the bottom of the door. If you need three hinges, measure the distance between the first two hinges and place the third hinge directly in the center.

Step 2 - Mark Locations

Now that you have the hardware attached to the door, you need to focus on the cabinet. Place a reference line where the top of the cabinet door will be, using masking tape. You can hold the door centered over the opening to determine where to place this reference line. Using a square to keep your line straight, continue it across all of the cabinets that you will be installing doors on. This will make sure that all the tops of your cabinet doors are even.

Then, with the door positioned just under the reference line, you will mark the location for your hinges. Use masking tape for this as well. Mark just above and below the hinge, just where the brackets will hang, with the tape. Repeat this for every hinge, on every door.

Step 3 - Mount the Hardware

Now that you have the masking tape up as your reference line and you have lines taped for all of your hinges, it is time to mount the hardware. Open the hinges and position the door against the edge of the face frame. Make sure that you align the hinges exactly where you have marked the tape. If things are not lining up exactly, go back and recheck that you have measured and taped everything correctly before you start drilling.

Next, drill pilot holes for the mounting screws at your hinges. Then install the mounting screws and tighten everything up. Open and close the door to make sure that it is hanging straight and swings smoothly. Then all you need to do is add the door handles or knobs, and you are finished.