Introduction: How to Install a Glass Door for Cabinets
Cost of this project: Low- includes cost of the glass panels, and glass door hinges
Difficulty level: Medium to high
Time required : 1-4 hours depending on expertise
Tangible benefits: A better looking cabinet with all the clutter being hidden, cost saved on transport and installation charges
In-tangible benefits: The sense of satisfaction that any DIY can give you
Step 0: Objective – Install a glass door
Identify the cabinet requiring a glass door
In this case, it is the centre cabinet of our TV floor unit
Difficulty level: Medium to high
Time required : 1-4 hours depending on expertise
Tangible benefits: A better looking cabinet with all the clutter being hidden, cost saved on transport and installation charges
In-tangible benefits: The sense of satisfaction that any DIY can give you
Step 0: Objective – Install a glass door
Identify the cabinet requiring a glass door
In this case, it is the centre cabinet of our TV floor unit
Step 1: Materials and Tools Required
Glass panels cut to the required dimension
Glass door hinges
Electrical drill
6mm wood drill bit
Screw driver
Fevicol (optional)
Glass door hinges
Electrical drill
6mm wood drill bit
Screw driver
Fevicol (optional)
Step 2: Measure the Glass Door Dimension
Since the glass panel is sandwiched between the two walls of each hinge, and the hinges themselves take up 1mm of space on the top and bottom and the side, the glass doors need to be sufficiently smaller in length and width than the inset dimensions of the cabinet
Being too long will mean the glass doors will not fit in and will result in another visit to the glass shop and being too small will result in big gaps between the cabinet edge and the door, and hence arriving at an accurate measurement is important
As a thumb rule, you can subtract 5 mm from the height, and 2-3mm from the length of the actual inset dimension of the cabinet walls.
Being too long will mean the glass doors will not fit in and will result in another visit to the glass shop and being too small will result in big gaps between the cabinet edge and the door, and hence arriving at an accurate measurement is important
As a thumb rule, you can subtract 5 mm from the height, and 2-3mm from the length of the actual inset dimension of the cabinet walls.
Step 3: Understand the Hinge Hardware
There are many varieties, but the one we would discuss would be installed on the top and bottom walls of the cabinet
One pair of hinges is required for each glass door
The hinges will allow the glass to be inserted through their open side and will clamp the glass against the hinge wall with the help of clamp screws. This means there is no need to drill holes in the glass
A small metallic duct will be placed in a hole drilled on the wood
The hinge has a cylindrical projection which will be placed inside the metallic duct. Once housed, the projection allows for free rotation of the hinge, and in turn the door
One pair of hinges is required for each glass door
The hinges will allow the glass to be inserted through their open side and will clamp the glass against the hinge wall with the help of clamp screws. This means there is no need to drill holes in the glass
A small metallic duct will be placed in a hole drilled on the wood
The hinge has a cylindrical projection which will be placed inside the metallic duct. Once housed, the projection allows for free rotation of the hinge, and in turn the door
Step 4: Drill Hole and Position the Hinges
Drill a hole on the bottom and top inner walls of the cabinet
Drill it closer to the side wall of the cabinet
Place the metallic duct inside this hole and secure it using Fevicol
Now place the cylindrical projection on the hinge inside the duct in such a way the hinge edges are in contact with the cabinet walls (top and bottom)
Drill it closer to the side wall of the cabinet
Place the metallic duct inside this hole and secure it using Fevicol
Now place the cylindrical projection on the hinge inside the duct in such a way the hinge edges are in contact with the cabinet walls (top and bottom)
Step 5: Install the Hinge
Now with the hinge placed, insert the glass panel top and bottom hinges
Adjust the placement of the glass door until you are convinced with the spacing between the glass and the cabinet. This is probably what would take much of your time.
Once positioned, tighten the clamps to sandwich and secure the glass in between the hinge walls
Now install the other hinges for the other doors in the same manner as explained above and give yourself a pat on the back :)
Adjust the placement of the glass door until you are convinced with the spacing between the glass and the cabinet. This is probably what would take much of your time.
Once positioned, tighten the clamps to sandwich and secure the glass in between the hinge walls
Now install the other hinges for the other doors in the same manner as explained above and give yourself a pat on the back :)