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Adding Glass Fronts to Kitchen Cabinets

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If your kitchen is looking a little dated, and your cabinets are looking a little run down, then it may be time to update your kitchen with glass front cabinet doors. You might redecorate with a new wine rack wall, wall art and beautiful wall sconce candle holders, but they won't disguise your old worn out cabinets. New glass front on your existing cabinets can transform your kitchen. You can check out any home improvement store to get an idea of how they will look in your space, and by doing them yourself, you will be able to get an updated look in your kitchen at a big savings.

If you have wood panel cabinets in your kitchen, you can easily switch them to glass front cabinets. With just a few simple supplies, you can make the transition from old, worn wooden cabinets to fresh, painted, glass front cabinets. If you have solid wood doors, this retrofit will not work; you must have wood panel doors. Since most cabinet doors are wood panel doors, the odds are in your favor.

Getting Ready

You probably will not want to give all of your cabinets glass fronts, so first decide which ones will get glass fronts, and then you can decide what kind of glass you want to install. Since your glass front cabinets are generally for display, you will want to keep your more utilitarian cabinets with the wood panel in tact. Frequently the cabinets flanking the sink are a good choice for display fronts, or upper cabinets can work nicely for display as well. You will probably not want glass over any cooking areas like your oven or stove because they will be a challenge to keep them sparkling clean.

Once you decide on which doors you are going to replace, you can measure your current panels. You can then take your measurements to a glass supply store, which who will be able to cut your glass to fit your cabinets. You may want to take the panels with you so that you know the glass will fit perfectly.

At the glass store you will be able to see samples of all of the different styles of glass that are available. You may opt for plain, clear glass, or you may prefer etched, textured, smoked or frosted. The style of glass simply depends on your personal taste, and perhaps the style of your kitchen.

The only tools that you will need is a rubber mallet, putty knife, fine-grit sandpaper and a wood chisel. Then for the glass you will need protective gloves, glazing putty and glazing points.

3-Steps to Glass Front Cabinets

1. Take off your cabinet doors and lay them on your work surface. Then place a wood chisel beneath the wood edging that secures the wood panel and tap it with a rubber mallet very gently. When the panel has been removed, then use your sandpaper to smooth any rough edges on the door frame and wipe down your cabinet with a tack cloth. If you wish to paint the frame you can do it now.

2. Set your cabinet door frame on your work surface and set the glass in place. Make sure that you are wearing protective gloves when you handle the glass. Next use the glazing points to connect your glass to the frame by placing them every five inches. Slide them firmly into place with a putty knife.

3. Where the glass meets the door frame, fill in with glazing putty and use your putty knife to make a smooth finish. The glazing putty will help keep your glass secure, and it will keep your glass from rattling. Now clean your glass and your are done.

Now you can have some fun with your new glass front cabinets. You can display your favorite dishes, and you can even paint the interior of your cabinet to add a splash of color to your display. You may also want to replace your hardware, and you may want to add some display lights in your cabinets for dramatic effect.