Convert a Kitchen to Soft-Close Fittings
If you want to give your kitchen a modern update, installing soft-close hinges and drawer sliders is an inexpensive solution.
08/02/2019
Install Soft-Close Concealed Hinges
Fitting soft close hinges to cabinets and cupboards is an easy update for your kitchen. Even if you don't already have the holes drilled for this type of hinge, drilling out holes to mount new soft-close hinges is an easy job that only requires a drill/driver and a 35mm Forstner bit. You can view our article here for step-by-step instructions for drilling out and fitting concealed hinges to kitchen cabinets and cupboards.
If you want to makes this task even easier, Gelmar stock the Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig that makes drilling and fitting your new concealed hinges even quicker.
Once you have drilled a new hole, or removed the existing fittings, it is a quick and easy job to install the new hardware. If you have difficulty aligning the door to the frame, these tips will allow you to adjust the hinge to flush alignment all round.
Install Soft-Close Concealed Hinges
Replacing old drawer sliders with modern soft-close drawer sliders is another easy update that won't take long to complete. And again, Gelmar have a selection of soft-close, ball-bearing drawer runners at affordable prices - including full extension drawer runners that will allow you to pull out the drawer for easy access at the back of the drawer.
GOOD TO KNOW: Measure up the gap on your drawers to ascertain that there is 13mm of space for fitting the new soft-close drawer runners.
The Kreg Drawer Slide Jig is available at Gelmar and takes away the hassle of mounting new hinges to kitchen cabinet drawers.
Fitting soft-close drawer sliders to your kitchen drawers is as easy as 1...2...3....
1. Set up the drawer slide jig on the inside frame of the drawer unit and secure the hinge to the frame.
2. Set up the drawer slide jig for mounting the hinge to the drawer sides.
3. Secure the drawer slider to the drawer and align the two parts of the drawer slider to finish.
If you are still unsure about the best way to install your soft-close hinges or drawer sliders, check out the video below.