How to Make Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors can make or break the look of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets - and the longevity of the cabinets. The secret lies in the workmanship and quality of materials used to make cabinet doors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Building a Slab or Flat Panel Door

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There are two basic types of cabinet doors -- slab and flat panel -- most often chosen. You should consider the need for speed of construction, durability, ease of cleanup and maintenance.
Most slab doors are made of plywood. Use MDF (medium density fiberboard) on a painted or a covered surface for a wood grain look.^{[1]XResearch source}
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3
Use solid wood for a door when you make a panel door. This is done by either gluing up a panel to the width and length you need or by using a solid piece that has been specially milled for you. However, you need to know that this is usually cost prohibitive.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Lay out the dimensions of the door on your choice of sheet material.
- Cut the door from the sheet using either a circular saw or a table saw.^{[3]XExpert SourceEric Shipe
  Home Improvement SpecialistExpert Interview. 12 July 2021.}
- Ease the edges of the face with a router using the bit of your choice.
- Put on the desired finish, install the hinges and doorknob and you are ready to hang the cabinet door.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

How to Build a Raised Panel Door

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1
Use a flat (raised panel) door for a quality look. You need to realize that this type of cabinet door requires more tools, skill and time to create. However, the finished results can be very rewarding if you are willing and ready to step up to the challenge. Panel doors consist of two stiles (side pieces) and two rails (top and bottom) along with a panel that sits between them.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Cut the stiles and the rails from 4/4 (2.54 cm) material - if you can - and mill or plane down the material to a consistent width of .75 inches (2 cm). Accuracy and consistency of width assures a good fit.
- The rails need to be approximately .5 inches (1.2 cm) less than the stiles. The width depends on the project and the look you want for your cabinets.
- Make the stiles blanks the length you need and then run the inside edge through a stile router bit mounted on a router table.
- Cut the rails to the length you need. Determine this length by measuring from the outside edge of the stiles to the beginning of the round-over, or bead, you made with the router bit. Subtract this from the width of the opening, then cut the rail blanks to length. Run the inside edge through the router using the same bit you used earlier.
The coping bit creates a secure and tight fit of the rail to the stile. Now, run the ends of the rails through the bit.^{[5]XResearch source}
3
Determine the dimensions of the panel. Measure from the outside edges to the beginning of the rollover (or bead). Subtract that distance from the total height and width of the door. A flat door panel will usually be made from .25-inch (.6 mm) plywood - the same wood type as the rest of the cabinet.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Cut the door panel insert slightly less than the size you need to allow for wood expansion and contraction. Ordinarily, this will be the width of a table saw blade.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Begin assembly of the door. Apply glue with a brush to the inside of the stile where the rail meets it and insert the rail tenon.
Place the balls into the groove you created with the router style bit. Insert the panel.^{[8]XResearch source}
Slide the second stile into place. Clamp the pieces together, and allow the glue to dry.^{[9]XResearch source}
Install the hardware and hang the new cabinet door on the cabinet frame.^{[10]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you make homemade shaker cabinet doors?
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Answer
Simple shaker style cabinet doors can be made with 1x3 wooden boards and veneer plywood using just a table saw.
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Question
Can you make cabinet doors without special tools?
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Answer
For this project, it is important to make sure you have the right tools, such as a table saw or circular saw.
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Question
Can you make cabinet doors out of particle board?
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Eric Shipe
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Answer
Sure! Laminated particle board can easily be cut to the needed size using a circular saw and a straightedge as a guide. The edges can be finished with iron-on edge banding.
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Tips

The style of panel cabinet door you want can vary from the flat one described here to raised and glass panel doors. Every choice depends on the look you are trying to achieve.
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Reference to 4/4 refers to .25 inches multiplied by 4, so 3/4 wood would be .75 inches and 6/4 would be 1.5 inches.
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Step up the look of slab cabinet doors by adding molding to the edge or offset from the edge of the door.
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Warnings

Do not attempt to build a flat or raised panel door without a router table. You cannot get the accuracy you need without a router table.
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