Your Ultimate Formula for Sizing Lazy Susan Replacement Cabinet Doors
Lazy Susan cabinets are a practical solution for utilizing corner space in your kitchen, allowing for easy access to items stored within. However, replacing the cabinet doors on these specialized cabinets can seem daunting. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of measuring for Lazy Susan replacement cabinet doors, making it easier than ever to give your kitchen a fresh look.
Understanding Lazy Susan Cabinet Doors
Lazy Susan cabinet doors typically come in two configurations:
- Two Doors Covering a Corner Cabinet: These doors open to reveal a Lazy Susan inside, which spins to provide access to the back corners of the cabinet.
- Single Door Options: In some cases, a single door may cover a larger Lazy Susan setup.
When replacing these doors, it’s crucial to consider the installation type, which can affect the measurements.
Types of Joint Installations
Tenon or Butt Joint
When you have a setup where two cabinet doors meet at a 90-degree angle (commonly known as a Tenon or Butt Joint), it’s important to ensure that both doors fit properly and function smoothly. Here’s how to measure:
- Understand the Configuration:
- In this setup, one door typically covers the side of the cabinet while the other door covers the front, meeting at the corner.
- Wider Stile for the Back Door:
- When using butt joint doors, the Back Door must have a wider stile. This is crucial because the Top Door will rest on this back door. By ensuring that the back door has a wider stile, all visible stiles will match in size when the doors are closed, creating a uniform appearance. This not only enhances the aesthetic of the cabinetry but also maintains structural integrity.
- Calculating the Width of Overlay Doors:
- Use the formula: Width of Door=Opening Width+Overlay−Thickness of Door
- For the “Back” Door:
- Measure the opening width.
- Add the overlay amount to the hinge side of the back door only.
- This door will require a larger stile to accommodate the overlay.
- For the “Top” Door:
- Measure the opening width.
- Add the overlay amount to the hinge side of the top door only.
- Then, subtract 13/16” (the thickness of the door it will sit on) to ensure proper fitting.
- Joining Doors at Front Corners:
- If you're joining two overlay doors at the front corner, use the formula:
- Width of Door=Opening+Overlay−Thickness of Door=Width of Door (Order qty 2)
Doors Attached to Lazy Susan
When dealing with doors that are attached to a Lazy Susan, follow these steps for accurate measurements:
- For the “Back” Door:
- Measure the opening width.
- Subtract 1/8” from this measurement. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that the door fits properly and allows for movement around the Lazy Susan. This door will also need a larger stile for stability.
- For the “Top” Door:
- Measure the opening width.
- Subtract 1/8” from this measurement first.
- Then, subtract another 13/16” (the thickness of the door it will sit on). This ensures the top door is sized appropriately to sit above the back door without obstruction.
Bifold or Piano Hinge
Bifold or Piano Hinges allow doors to fold open, providing access to the cabinet space. Here’s how to measure for these types of hinges:
- Measure the Opening:
- Measure the width of the cabinet opening.
- Add the Overlay:
- Add the desired overlay amount to the hinge side of the door only. This ensures the door covers the opening appropriately.
- Square the Stile:
- Ensure that the stile (the vertical frame) where the corners of the doors touch is square. This is critical for the doors to open and close smoothly without any gaps.
Pivot Hinge
Pivot hinges allow for a unique door operation by rotating around a pivot point, which can be beneficial for larger doors. Follow these steps for accurate measurements:
- Measure the Opening:
- Measure the width of the cabinet opening.
- Add the Overlay:
- Similar to bifold hinges, add the overlay amount to the hinge side of the door only.
- Ensure a Square Stile:
- Just like with bifold or piano hinges, confirm that the stile where the corners touch is square. This ensures the door functions properly and aligns correctly when closed.
Boring Options
When ordering cabinet doors, there is no specific bore option to choose; it depends on how the customer will be installing the doors. However, if the customer will be using bi-fold Euro hinges, there are two different bore patterns depending on the products:
1. Wood and Thermofoil Products:
- J Boring Pattern: This pattern has a special boring placement on the LEFT side of the door. When this pattern is ordered, we will automatically bore the “A” pattern on the opposite side.
- K Boring Pattern: This pattern has a special boring placement on the RIGHT side of the door. When this pattern is ordered, we will automatically bore the “A” pattern on the opposite side.
- For modern thermofoil doors, it’s important to stipulate whether the Lazy Susan is on the Right or Left side.
For any assistance with boring options or if you have questions about the installation process, please contact us for support.
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you begin measuring, gather the following materials:
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Note Paper or our handy calculator template
Step 1: Measuring Your Cabinet Opening
Start by removing the existing cabinet doors to ensure accurate measurements without any obstructions. Here’s how to measure:
1. Width: Measure the distance from one inside edge of the cabinet opening to the corner where the doors will meet, then from the corner to the other inside edge of the cabinet. Record these measurements for both the left and right openings.
2. Height: Measure from the top of the cabinet opening to the bottom. If the height differs slightly from one side to the other, use the height that matches the rest of your cabinet doors for consistency.
3. Thickness: Most cabinet doors are ¾” thick, but some can be 7/8”. Don’t forget to account for a ½” overlay, then subtract the thickness of the door.
Step 2: Calculate Your Door Sizes
Now that you have your measurements, it’s time to do a bit of math. Don’t worry; this is straightforward:
- Width Calculation: Width=(W+0.5)−Thickness of Door
- Height Calculation: Height=(H+1)
Once you’ve calculated the widths and heights, remember that your left and right doors might have slightly different widths.
Example Calculation for Lazy Susan Cabinet Doors
Let’s say you have a left door opening with the following dimensions:
- Height: 30 inches
- Width: 12 inches
- Door Thickness: 3/4 inch
- Desired Overlay: 1/2 inch
To calculate the dimensions for your new Lazy Susan cabinet door, follow these steps:
- Calculate the Width:
- Formula: Width of Door=Opening Width−Door Thickness+Desired Overlay
- Calculation: Width of Door=12"−0.75"+0.5"=11.75"
- Calculate the Height:
- Formula: Height of Door=Opening Height+1"
- Calculation: Height of Door=30"+1"=31"
So, for this Lazy Susan cabinet door, you would place your order for a door with dimensions:
- Width: 11.75 inches
- Height: 31 inches
Once you’ve calculated the widths and heights, remember that your left and right doors might have slightly different widths.
Step 3: Place Your Order
With your measurements ready, head to your chosen cabinet door supplier. Here’s what to do:
- Select the desired cabinet door style and wood type.
- Fill in the final width and height measurements.
- Choose your bore options based on the information above.
As always give us a call at 855-669-5222 or contact us we are happy to help you from measuring to ordering! If you are interested in working with a rep please fill out our Free Quote and Design Consult form below and we will connect you with our professionals, no cost.
Pro Tip
When selecting your door style, choose one with no outside edge detail. This ensures that the doors will fit together seamlessly, allowing for smooth operation.
Conclusion
Measuring for Lazy Susan replacement cabinet doors doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few simple steps, you can achieve accurate measurements and order the perfect doors to enhance your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, feel free to contact us. Happy remodeling!