changing cabinet doors

mountainMJ

I have a Howdens kitchen which was installed by the previous owner. A lot of the units are standard but there are some which seem to be howdens sizes. I want to replace the doors, plinths, etc.

How close do the door sizes need to match?

I have a set of pan drawers which have completely different sizes to standard drawers for example. Ie the top drawer is 160mm height and 997mm width. But standard drawers are 139mm in height. Would it be possible to keep the drawers and replace the drawer fronts with 139mm drawer fronts and then similarly with the drawers below? I'm guessing I would have to adjust the runners too?

Or is this a waste of time?

Thanks

Doozergirl

I'd seriously recommend that you use Howdens.  There will be other things that are different - like hinge placements etc. 

Make it like for like and you're unlikely to have random gaps showing through between doors as well.  

mountainMJ

Thanks doozergirl. However, hinge placement isn't an issue as the replacement doors do not come predrilled. I guess it's just the gaps that might be an issue. I guess since most doors seem to be 3mm less than the cabinet width ie cab is 600 and door is 597 and most doors are within 5 to 6mm of the cab height or 715 door fits to 720 cab, those should be my tolerances.

So if I have 3 drawers 1) 160mm 2 & 3) 275mm and replace with 1) 139mm and 2&3) 283mm

They're only 5mm different so I think it should be fine so long as the runners can be relocated

GDB2222

It’s not very easy to get inside the unit and redrill the holes for the runners. That’s normally done before it’s assembled. 

You definitely have to source your new drawer fronts from that particular company?  There are firms that specialise in making them to fit your kitchen.

mountainMJ

It's mostly about cost. In an ideal world I would just replace everything but if I can avoid it I would like to.

I am also enquiring about making bespoke doors/drawer fronts. Once I have a price for everything I can make more informed decisions

GDB2222

My daughter and son-in-law replaced 10 doors at around £35 per door. It transformed the kitchen.

mountainMJ

GDB2222 said:

My daughter and son-in-law replaced 10 doors at around £35 per door. It transformed the kitchen.

Thanks but I don't think that would be the case with my kitchen. Where did they get doors that cheap? It's a Howdens kitchen so the sizes are not standard

GDB2222

They just went to one of the kitchen renewal companies. Their doors were ancient Magnet, so also a fairly non standard size. 

Jeepers_Creepers

There are a number of bespoke door companies, and they'll not only replicate any required size, but also drill hinge holes as required.

Obviously you'd need to measure your current doors accurately.,  

jennifernil

We used made to measure doors from this company........

https://www.kitchendoorworkshop.co.uk/

cost depends on finish of course.

I would not recommend trying to use standard sizes and moving drawer runners.