Replacing Kitchen Unit Doors with MDF

Muppet81

I recently asked for advice on painting my existing kitchen unit doors.
The more we thought about it, the doors really could do with replacing rather than painting. The style is pretty old fashioned.
I want to paint the cupboards in my own choise of Farrow and Ball paint so don't want to buy ready finished doors which will not amtch the carcasses.
I have seen a firm who supply MDF replacement doors and can provide all teh doors we need, some of which are not standard sizes. Not cheap at £510 including drilling and delivery but the time these would save in preparation would be imense.
The question is though, how good are MDF doors in a kitchen once painted with eggshell paint?
Any advice appreciated, especially from anyone who has used such doors or has any alternative ideas which we might not have thought of.

IWasWondering...

How about just buying doors from B&Q? Have a look on their website. They come in wide range of sizes and unless your kitchen is hand made you shouldn't have a problem. Wouldn't need painting either. Even cheaper when they've got a sale on.
There are companies who just sell replacement kitchen doors.
Alternatively have you thought about getting a professional decorator to paint them? Dulux have a great website and a list of recommended painters.
MDF = medium density fibreboard.
Swells or breaks when wet. Warps or expands if not sealed properly. Contains urea-formaldehyde which can cause eye and lung irritation when sanded or cut. There are different types and thickneses of MDF.

computerwoman

MDF doesn't cost that much to buy...the sheets are 8'x4' I got an 1" thick piece which was the most expensive at £25 and a 6mm piece which was only £6 I undercoated the lot after I had made what I wanted then glossed them...you must undercoat them to seal them...
here's my firesurround I made....

after painted

before painted...
all I used was a jigsaw and an electric planner...and some sand paper

just put the existing door on a sheet of MDF and draw round it to make a template then jigsaw it out...make sure you wear a mask on your mouth as it gets dusty...and you don't want to breath in the dust...then either sand it with sandpaper which is quite easy or use an electric planner for a more professional look...if you want a pattern on it then use a router....then decide where you want the handles and hinges offer the hinge up to the MDF and mark the holes with a pencil pre drill the holes with a drill do the same for the handle's then undercoat them then gloss them save you alot of money...hope this helps...:D

bob_a_builder

then jigsaw it out

That can't be the best way to make a staight line cut , can it ?

penrhyn

Like your fire surround, but isn't it a bit close to the top of the gas fire?
Wouldn't like to think you'd inadvertently created a fire hazard and I hadn't mentioned it.

Muppet81

Iwaswondering - thanks for your advice. I agree that buying doors ready done is a good option but how do you cope with the carcasses. My kitchen is mid oak at the moment and I am aiming for a light cream kitchen. Light cream doors with mid-oak carcasses will look wrong and if I paint the carcasses/ kickboards/ trims etc, they are unlikley to be a perfect match for the bought doors.

I love the idea of a professional decorator but it sounds expensive.

Computerwoman - You are very handy, I am impressed. Do take care though on the fire risk front.

IWasWondering...

You can colour match the paint to the doors. Dulux offer a colour matching service if you're not sure of the shade. Have a look on their website for details.
Regarding price of Decorator - get one in to give you a quote. You could always ask for two prices. One for complete kitchen and one for carcasses etc. Tell them you haven't decided yet which option and you need to cost it out before making a decision. You are under no obligation.

computerwoman

penrhyn wrote: »

Like your fire surround, but isn't it a bit close to the top of the gas fire?
Wouldn't like to think you'd inadvertently created a fire hazard and I hadn't mentioned it.

I don't actually use it....I only left some space so the gas man can get it in and out when he comes to service it every year...plus the on/off knob is on the top and the re-set switch which I am always having to use lately is on the side so I had to leave some room for that but all in all it works for me...it's a combi boiler as so there is plenty of flow at the back for that...:D

computerwoman

bob_a_builder wrote: »

That can't be the best way to make a staight line cut , can it ?

what would have suggestted for 1" as I could have used a saw for the 6mm but seen as I did all of this on the floor (due to disability) with MDF raised on bricks so I could use the jigsaw...I did the best to my ability and don't like I did half bad really...:D

computerwoman

Muppet81 wrote: »

Iwaswondering - thanks for your advice. I agree that buying doors ready done is a good option but how do you cope with the carcasses. My kitchen is mid oak at the moment and I am aiming for a light cream kitchen. Light cream doors with mid-oak carcasses will look wrong and if I paint the carcasses/ kickboards/ trims etc, they are unlikley to be a perfect match for the bought doors.

I love the idea of a professional decorator but it sounds expensive.

Computerwoman - You are very handy, I am impressed. Do take care though on the fire risk front.

to be quite honest I hate the fire I wanted it taking out but as it's a combi I am stuck with it and cos I don't use it ...it's in quite good condition albiet lopsidied as it's wonky on the wall...the landlord wont replace it with anything newer...so I am stuck with it and as I didn't have a fire surround I had I bit of MDF left over from the loft hatch so I sat and thought and knocked this up took about 5-6 hours from being a drawing in my head to being what it is now next day I undercoated it the next glossed...I am without a doult chuffed with it...:Dmoney saving is what life is and this forum is all about...

Muppet81

Absolutely right Computerwoman:D