Shaker doors are also referred to as inset panels.
Shaker cabinet doors reflect Old World craftsmanship. Yet they are nothing more than a simple overlay. Also known as an inset panel door, they have a perimeter of hardwood glued to the door. Typical Shaker style uses 3/4 inch for the overlay, but if you have existing flat-front doors, you can accomplish the same look using 1/4-inch hardwood. By using 1/4-inch material, it doesn't interfere with existing tolerances needed by hinges or for doors to open and close properly. You can turn your old slab doors into Shaker style using a few tools that you may already have in your garage.
1
Remove the door from the cabinets using a drill/driver. Remove the hinges from the door.
2
Place the door across two sawhorses. Sand the front of the door using an orbital sander with 100-grit paper to remove old lacquer. Resand the door by hand using 100-grit sandpaper attached to a hand sanding block. Sand parallel to the grain only until the door is consistently smooth.
3
Measure the sides of the door that are parallel to the grain. Use a miter saw to cut two pieces of 2 1/4-inch hardwood to the measurement.
4
Apply glue to the back of both pieces. Place one piece on each side, flush at the top, bottom and side.
5
Shoot one pin nail centered 1 inch from the top and 1 inch from the bottom, through the hardwood. Use 3/4-inch pin nails.
6
Place clamps down both sides spaced 4 inches apart to bond the hardwood strip to the door. Allow the glue to dry for 1 hour.
7
Measure the distance between the hardwood strips at the top and bottom. Cut one strip of hardwood to fit between them at the top and bottom.
8
Apply glue to the back of the strips. Place one piece flush with the top and one piece flush with the bottom. They should fit tight between the pieces on the sides.
9
Shoot one pin nail through the strips and place clamps on them just as you did the side pieces. Wait 1 hour for the glue to dry. Remove the clamps.
10
Sand the corners, sides and edges of the door by hand using 100-grit sandpaper. Apply stain and lacquer or paint as needed to match the existing cabinets.
Things You Will Need
- Drill/driver
- Orbital sander
- Sandpaper, 100-grit
- Hand sanding block
- Miter saw
- Hardwood strips, 1/4-by-2 1/4-by-36 inches
- Wood glue
- Pin nailer
- Pin nails, 3/4-inch
- Clamps
- Stain (optional)
- Lacquer (optional)
- Paint (optional)
Tips
- To take the Shaker look one step further, you can add vertical hardwood strips evenly spaced between the top and bottom strips.
Warnings
- Don't use too much glue. If it oozes out from under the strip on the inside, wipe it off immediately. It will show up as a white streak when you apply the stain.
- Wear safety glasses.
About the Author
Wade Shaddy specializes in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork. Shaddy has worked in home building since 1972. He has also worked as a writer, publishing in national publications since 1992, including two years as a contributing writer for "Bicycling Magazine," writing on fitness, training and bike maintenance. Shaddy published a novel, Dark Canyon, in 2008.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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