Measuring for replacement kitchen cupboard doors

Sounds easy, doesn't it, after all kitchen doors are all the same? Well actually they're not.

Whilst most modern kitchen cupboards use a standardised set of widths (300,400,450,500,600,800,900 and 1000mm) different manufacturers have their own set of heights for the doors and drawer fronts. This makes the fitting of another manufacturers 'off the shelf' doors rather a hit and miss affair.

When measuring for a set of replacement doors care must be made in obtaining the correct dimensions and in recording the information correctly. The last thing anyone wants is a couple of hundred pounds worth of doors and drawer fronts that simply won't fit.

Over the years The Kitchen Workshophas found that the best way to record the details are by using a rough sketch of your units. Draw the units from the front not as a plan, making them simple box shapes. Use maybe a different piece of paper for each run of units, drawing the wall units above the base. This can really help identify what part of the kitchen you're looking at.

Start measuring by simply using an existing door, recording the height first then the width. Some doors have machined edges that make it a bit tricky to get an exact dimension, if you're unsure then try opening the door and measuring from the back. Record the sizes in milimetres.

You'll notice straight away that the size of the door is smaller than the actual unit, this is how they're supposed to be, for example a base unit that measures 720mm high by 500mm wide will have a door that is 715mm x 496mm. Never be tempted to order your new doors the exact size of the unit as you will find that the doors won't open properly.

Repeat the measuring process for all of your doors and drawer fronts, recording the information in the corresponding box on your sketch. When you've finished go back and start again from the beginning, this will help in making sure that the sizes you have written down are correct. You should then count how many fronts you have in the kitchen and compare that to the number on your drawing, hopefully they'll be the same.

Only when you are sure that you have the correct details on your sketch should you write them down on a seperate piece of paper. The only information needed is that of the height and the width. Writing down 'base' or 'wall' isn't really neccessary. Write down each item individually as this helps avoid confusion. Always write the height first.

When you've written the list, have another count and see if the number of doors on your list matches the amount in your kitchen. Only when you are certain that you have the right number of correctly measured doors can you shorten your list by grouping together doors of exactly the same size.

Make sure that your list is written clearly either as (for example) '3 x 715 x 496' or '3 off 715 x 496' You don't need to write 'mm' as this can make the list harder to read.

The main objective is to record all the sizes as accurately and as clearly as possible.