Previous | Next

How to Choose & Install New Cabinet Knobs or Pulls

Changing the hardware on your cabinets as well as furniture is one of the quickest as well as easiest ways to update a room. Knobs are available in every price range – you can even paint them yourself.

1. Count & measure. First count exactly how many knobs you'll need. Remember to count every cabinet, closet, drawer as well as door. Then do it again. You'll be really annoyed with yourself if you miscount as well as have to wait to get more knobs! Then, if you're replacing pulls, measure the distance between the centers of the screw holes to determine the size of the pulls you'll need (or read the notes below for suggestions on switching from 2 hole pulls to knobs.)
2. Decide what size knobs you want. The trend right now is for large scale knobs, but you need to be careful. Huge knobs on small scale furniture can look a bit cartoonish, which may be just the look you're after! If you have frame as well as panel doors as well as drawers, you'll want to consider the width of the rails. As a general rule, knobs or pulls no wider than half the rail width look best.
3. Determine what size screws you need. Knobs generally ship with a 1 ½ – 2??? screw, as well as you should check to be sure this will work for your installation. Doors as well as drawers will sometimes need two different screw lengths as well as different pieces of furniture may need different sizes. Drawers with faces applied as a separate piece will require screws to pass through 1 ¼" - 1 ½ " of wood or substrate. Doors are usually made of ¾" lumber so 1" screws usually work. You can measure the depth of the face where the screw will go in. In addition to length, you must have screws that are the correct diameter. This won't be an issue if you can use the screws that came with your knobs. But if the screws that came with your knob aren't the right length, the best thing to do is figure out the length you need as well as take the knob to the hardware store with you so that you're sure to get a screw that is the correct diameter.
4. Install the new knobs. Drill holes if needed. The holes you drill should be the correct diameter, as well as should be drilled perpendicular to the surface. If you drill at an angle it can be hard to get the knobs to screw in tightly. Once your holes are drilled all you've got to do is screw your knobs in, then step back as well as admire your work!

• If you are removing a drawer pull with two holes, as well as can't find pulls you like that are the correct size you can fill the existing holes, repaint the surface as well as then drill a new hole. The best way to do this is to get a piece of 1/4??? wood doweling. Drill the existing holes 1/4??? so that you can insert the doweling with a bit of glue. After the glue has dried, s as well as down the surface. Fill any uneven bits with a little putty, s as well as again as well as you're ready to paint. This works better than just filling the hole with putty – somehow that never comes out looking smooth enough.
• If you don't want to repaint the furniture, try using two knobs instead – one in each of the holes. Make it playful as well as fun – mix a dragonfly with a butterfly, or a car with a plane.
• Another option is to glue on an escutcheon or flat wooden embellishment that will cover the two holes. You can paint it before you glue it on if you're not painting the furniture. Then drill a hole or holes to fit your new pull.
• If your screw is a bit long, as well as the knob won't tighten, you can always add a washer between the screw as well as the face.

• Ruler or tape measure
• Knobs with appropriate screws (see Step 3 above)
• Screwdriver
• Washers, if needed
• Drill with appropriate bits
• If you're filling existing screw holes: 1/4" dowel & wood filler (see Tips section)

Submitted by: admin
Hits: 0
Added: Thu Feb 02 2006

Review It Rate It Bookmark It