Cabinet hinges rust or become severely damaged through wear and tear. You can replace old cabinet hinges by removing them and installing new, identical hinges in the same spot using a screwdriver.
After years of repeated use—from grabbing boxes of cereal to putting away the dishes—you’ll eventually notice that your cabinet hinges are broken and need to be replaced. Most homeowners will only have to replace old hinges with identical ones. We’ll walk you through the general steps to get the job done.
| Project difficulty: Easy Estimated time to complete: 25 to 30 minutes Project cost: Around $20 to $30, depending on the quality of the hinges. |
What You’ll Need
- Screwdriver
- Ladder (as needed)
Best Practices
- Remove all the contents of the cabinets.
- Enlist the help of a friend or relative to hold the cabinet door while you’re working on this project.
- Use a ladder if you’re replacing hinges on high or tall cabinets.
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific steps that must be followed for the replacement hinges.
Step 1: Unscrew the Old Hinges
Remove the cabinet hardware before you remove the old hinges. Whenever my father replaced the old hinges in our kitchen cabinets, he would polish the hardware and clean the cabinet interiors to give the cabinets a complete refresh.
I spoke with Emmanuel Ventura, a handyman and contractor with decades of experience. He discovered an easy way to begin the process of replacing cabinet hinges:
“First, I take a photo of the cabinet, from the front and sides, before removing anything. Sometimes, you forget what it looks like, and this helps a lot later.”
Ventura adds another tip to help you remember where the old hinges were located: “Next, I put masking tape across the bottom of the cabinet door and mark where the old hinges were. That way, I know where to place the new ones.”
While holding the cabinet door, press the release button near the screw farthest from the cabinet door to remove the door from the hinge. Then, use a screwdriver to unscrew the old hinges from the door. Repeat this process to unscrew the hinges attached to the cabinet frame.
To prevent damaging the cabinet door during this process, Ventura shares how he does it: “When I remove the door, I slide a folded rag under it to hold it up. It’s soft and doesn’t scratch the cabinet, but it gives support.”
Tip: Ask someone to hold the cabinet door while you’re removing the old hinges, especially if you’re using a ladder.
Step 2: Install the New Hinges
Position the hinge on top of the drilled holes in the cabinet door to help you gauge where you’ll install the new hinges. Insert a screw into the new hinge. Afterward, use a screwdriver to mount the hinge onto the cabinet door.
If the replacement hinges aren’t the same size as the original ones, Ventura explains how you can ensure they fit perfectly:
“If the new hinges don’t fit exactly like the old ones, I make a cardboard guide using the old hinge. I drill the new holes using that guide so the spacing is correct.”
Repeat this process with the other screw to attach the new hinge to the cabinet frame. To lock the new hinge in place, slide the hinge on the cabinet door to the hinge on the frame. Adjust the cabinet hinges and doors to ensure the cabinets are perfectly aligned.
Replace and Refresh
Learning how to replace cabinet hinges is a great skill for DIYers. You won’t have to worry about rusty or severely damaged hinges anymore. If you plan to upgrade your cabinet hinges, you have the basic knowledge to continue building your dream home.
Of course, if the project requires more than a few hinge replacements, you can always hire a professional. From door replacements to full kitchen remodels, larger tasks are best left to the pros.
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What to read next:
- How to Install Cabinet Hinges
- How to Adjust Cabinet Hinges and Doors
- How to Install Kitchen Cabinets
Main Photo Credit: LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS / Adobe Stock Free / License
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