How to Frame Kitchen Cabinets
When you build kitchen cabinets, you can use a common technique to add an attractive frame. Framed cabinets have a wood frame around the front of the cabinet's shell. The frame covers the unfinished edges of the cabinet, protruding only about ½-inch. The frame makes the cabinet sturdier and gives it a stronger base for installing hinges. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Strips of wood
- T-square
- Pencil
- Pocket hole jig with stepped-drill bit
- Power drill
- Pocket screws
Instructions
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1
Use a tape measure to measure the height and width of the cabinets, then add the measurements to get the total length of your wood strips. Buy wood strips with a depth and width of 1 by 2 inches, in the lengths you measured. Choose a style and color of wood that matches your cabinets. Look carefully at the strips of wood and decide which side will face outward and show on the front of your cabinet.
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2
Use an adjustable T-square to measure from the side of each wood strip where you will insert each screw that will hold the frame together. Measure about ¼-inch from the edge of the wood strip, and mark it with a pencil.
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3
Position the pocket hole jig over the end of the wood strip, and line up the jig's holes with the pencil marks you made in Step 2. Insert the stepped drill bit into the groove on the pocket hole jig.
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4
Attach your power drill to the drill bit, then set the stop collar on the step drill to the depth of hole you want. It's not a simple drill, so you may want to drill a few practice holes on a spare piece of wood. When you're able to drill the oblong opening you want in your wood, drill both holes in the end of the piece you bought for your frame.
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5
Position the two pieces of wood that will make the first corner of your frame. Insert a pocket screw into each hole at the low angle created by your step drill, then insert the screws to connect the two boards. Work your way around the frame by repeating Steps 2 through 4 for each piece of wood that will form each corner of the frame.
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6
Apply carpenter's glue to the backside of the frame. Position it around the front of your kitchen cabinets and glue the frame to the cabinets.
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Tips & Warnings
Before you begin working with the wood strips you bought for your frame, cover the side that will show with wide masking tape. The tape will protect the visible side when you turn it over to work on the underside of the frame.
Always wear protective gear when working with power tools, including gloves and eye protection.
References
- Photo Credit kitchen image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
