How to Upgrade to Soft-Close Cabinets | Ask This Old House

[@dienekes4364]

An easier way to do the doores is to use Universal Face Frame Cabinet Soft-Close Adapters made by Unisoft. My mother is _EXTREMELY_ noise sensitive and for xmas one year, I installed these on all of her kitchen doors. She still says it's the best present she's ever gotten.

[@nsuddeth91]

Nathan was in the last apprenticeship program if I remember correctly. He is a natural with prior experience as I understand it. Makes an excellent addition to TOH's contributor list!

[@usamaizm]

This was a great episode. I wish more companies would go all in on KZbin like you guys. Keep up the great work.

[@cwsechler]

Agreed! It's nice to see them keeping up with the times! Keeps them relevant but also the TV show was the same idea mass communication

[@andrizeefoshizee]

You make the ball bearing slide swap look waaaaaaay easier than it is on old drawers.

[@poker4080]

If people only knew how involved this job really is!

[@strangerintown3676]

Looks easy on the vid because they speed it up, & it helps that a pro is doing the work.

[@peterharper9703]

Wow........ didn’t even know I wanted/needed these!

[@Ben-zv5kc]

$1000-$1500 is outrageous. I just finished this project on a similar sized kitchen and bought all the hardware from Amazon for less than $180.

[@becuteforme]

I just got a quote for $1,600, no thanks, I’ll just do it myself. 😂

[@davidding8814]

I couldn't do my hinges because they're these super complicated double demountable hinges, but I did 14 drawers and including the jig it only cost about $150. It did take more than half an hour per drawer to install though.

[@davec.3198]

I bought a sheet of those stick on soft close bumpers. Worked really well and took about 5 mins.

[@timothydu9415]

They still make noise if you dont hold it til close. You can slam a soft close as hard as you want and itlll be silent.

[@timothydu9415]

If you buy the hinges from your local lumber supply, the soft close hinges are only about $5.50 a pair. 20” soft close slides are $7 a pair where I get them. I change them pretty often. The only downside is that lumber supplies are not a far spread as home depot or lowes. Look for plywood supplies as well. In dallas i know brazos forest products and plywood co of fort worth. On the west coast i think theres a few woodworkers sources.

[@feras04]

Thats not bad. So $250 for whatever was in this video ....not sure where he got 1k to 1500 dollars from. Maybe some idiots go out and spend $20 dollars per hinge at Macys or Sephora 😂

[@0617kitty]

Great video! My drawer sliders are getting rusty. Maybe I can learn to replace them!

[@verygoodboy2688]

Me: *telling girl in the club about the intricacies of RuneScape lore* Her: 1:22

[@fredrikvil]

Holy crap i laughed way to hard from this

[@EarlyDawnTravels]

Hahahaha

[@lightsabr2]

HAHAA Here's your 100th like.

[@exmember1607]

I like how he said they JUST have to do the rest of the hinges. Yeah, only like 6000 of them...

[@AdrienneAliciaGodsDaughter]

🤦🏾‍♀️🥴😂🤣

[@dlamarsobotor4573]

Great to see new blood. Being in the business, change, like in life is constant.

[@dienekes4364]

I have a cabinet that has 3 drawers (the only drawers in the whole kitchen). They don't come all the way out and the bottom one falls off the rails. I'm adding the project to replace the drawer slides with these full-extension, soft-close slides. Great video!

[@flat-earther]

Did you do it yet?

[@dienekes4364]

@@flat-earther Yep. Took a bit to build up the sides so they would work, those cabinets are really cheap, but they work a lot better now. The guy I'm selling the house to is going to rip out all the cabinets and rebuild them, but for now, at least all 3 drawers work! 😁

[@KnightofAntiquity]

Or just buy thin silicone buttons and put them around the cabinets where the doors and drawers meet. Worked for me. Cost 10 bucks. No slams.

[@GabeSt7]

They seem to have them on the drawers already, you can see one at 3:12 I'm not sure about the cabinets though..

[@brettotte6470]

Yeah I went to Dollar tree & there were self adhesive round pads of various sizes. $2 and I quieted down every cabinet in the house.

[@davidding8814]

It's not gonna make the slides quieter or make the drawers open all the way though. I had really old slides that are super noisy, kinda hard to slide if there are heavy things in the drawer, and doesn't open all the way. New slides solved all those problems in addition to being soft close. The way the drawers slow down and then close by itself also has a much more elegant feel to it.

[@OutdoorLifeKR]

This is what I need for my kitchen. Thanks.

[@Furiends]

I did a rough cost on these. I see the hinges cost about $4 while the full draw slides cost about $10. 48 hinges x $4 = $192, 24 slides x $10 = $240, total of $432. Not that bad really.

[@timothydu9415]

If you buy the hinges from your local lumber supply, the soft close hinges are only about $5.50 a pair. 20” slides are $7 a pair where i get them. I did them recently and it was very cost efficient.

[@robertosifuentes8022]

Timothy Du where did you buy those

[@timothydu9415]

Roberto Sifuentes I live in Dallas and got them at brazos forest product in Grand Prairie. There’s also Fort Worth plywood co.

[@Xambonii]

It’s took me longer that I would like to admit to figure out what component was the “draw”.

[@NWI_Steel]

Lol

[@conqwiztadore2213]

THIS IS TRUE LUXURY RIGHT HERE, heated floors, heated tiles in bathroom, etc etc etc , soft close hinges, etc etc

[@joeheilm]

Outstanding, i had no idea that they had cabinet soft close. Cheers

[@SikGT]

This video made me super excited about doing this to my cabinet work in my house. Just have to wait for the house to be finished being built.

[@flat-earther]

Is it finished?

[@tiffaniereidstudio236]

Thank you for this video. Your studio reminds me of Home Improvement show from the 90's. :-)

[@cwsechler]

This show inspired home improvement in the 90s. Bob villa was the original host and was the inspiration for Tim Taylor... And is why Bob was his nemesis!

[@Markshawracing]

Looks simple enough. Can’t wait to do this myself!

[@tnstef2629]

4:22 not an endorsement. 4:30 definitely not an endorsement. 6:17 go buy it!

[@craigkovatch7564]

This video speeds through (or fade-cuts) all the most important parts. Like 1. Open the drawer 2. Replace all the hardware 3. Done

[@sylvijawildflower]

“Drawww”, 😂 drawer. Love it.

[@againstallodds404]

Wish you showed step by step for the slides

[@adrianap5856]

Great explanation. Now I know I can do it myself.

[@shadowblack1987]

Adds a touch of luxury, very welcomed.

[@stacylenihan206]

I have very old cabinets that I am painting.. will splurge in a few years for new everything but not this time. and cannot find hinges that are a match. Cabinets are laminate also so not sure about drilling? Can I just gorilla glue the hinges in place. What options do I have.

[@glasser2819]

great stuff guys as usual. Idea for new endless topics.... winterize/sumerize home and misc. maintenance. 👍🏻

[@kevpad1]

Your video does not mention the most important part of the process: measurements necessary to buy the correct slide length and what to do if slider is NOT the exact length of your drawers. Mine drawers are 21 5/8" long. Can I use 22" sliders that hang off the back of the drawer 3/8" or do I have to buy 20"? I don't see any 21" soft-close sliders for sale. What size slider do I buy to make sure I get full extension?

[@kobelcofan]

If I ever do drawer slides I'm soo getting one of those jigs.

[@robbieharrington9448]

MiJaK123 I’ve used them and they are worth every penny.

[@cup_and_cone]

You pretty much have to use installer tools if you either want to finish in a reasonable time or don't want poor alignment.

[@RealRuler2112]

Or go in the scrap wood bin & spend 5 minutes on the table saw to make a pair... =)

[@shariq-sh]

@@robbieharrington9448 where did you buy the jigs from?

[@robbieharrington9448]

@@shariq-sh Home Depot and Lowe's carry them.

[@nyogrson1]

Skipped a few steps: measurement for new hinges, can't just buy any soft close hinges because of sizing, after you install the doors may not align. These are the kinds of things that will drive you crazy during the install

[@nathangonzalez1268]

where can i get just the plastic insert for the cabinet hinges? i cannot find them anywhere. my cabinets have the same hinges just without the isnert that actually makes it soft close

[@hawiianpwr]

Good video, that jig would be worth it too.

[@laksjan]

Hi, my replacement draw sliders are not smooth and kind of tight. I measured the old slides and it’s 22” in length. Could you please let me know why?

[@MP-yz6sb]

He made this look much easier than it actually is.

[@lljl5310]

Thank you for the video... great info!!!!...love you're videos!!!!

[@battheman777]

The acting in this reminds me those 90's office training videos.

[@AlergicToSnow]

Acting? I don’t think they do that.

[@ayyruretagoyena6271]

What is the name of the white plastic piece that installs at the end of the slide, then to the wall?

[@oddy297]

O snap greetings from Aruba

[@sunnyevd]

Wonderful information

[@b9bot148]

Well it's much easier when you have the type of hinges with the bore already done.

[@zavoina]

I like seeing Nathan get his shot, but why not fill the old screw holes, or was that just not shown?

[@steveshort7560]

I did the drawer part. The way my drawers were constructed, I couldn't use that end-cap plastic piece. Made it a bit more difficult. However, I got it done. Just did this for a few main drawers we use a lot and now we can easily access all contents. By the way, I'm not an experienced DIYer. Also, no way can you do this without that Kreg jig.

[@bsouza1675]

Can you share some vendors that would have soft close hardware? I have not been able to find he cabinet door hinges shown.

[@armanke13]

The tools are very cool

[@charleswatts1864]

I didnt like the rear mounts on the slides. Prefer side mount only for side drawer slides.

[@BenM81]

For a moment I forgot this was a home improvement channel. 🙈

[@jac6165]

Where can I buy the sockets for the soft close drawer slides? I have been looking around but haven’t been able to locate them.

[@WY-DaveZ71]

What size of drawer slide should I get for a 19" drawer to get full extension? I've heard go closest size without going over the drawer length to first size that fits. They are standard kitchen base cabinets but the drawers seem to be an off size of depth.

[@richardlug6139]

You need a slide that is at least as long as your drawer. Since they do not make 19” drawer slides you will need to use a 21” slide which is the next length of slide made.

[@AlongtheRiverLife]

What was the brand of soft close hindges used?

[@Always_Right00]

Amandas got a good grip

[@ethanwcheatham]

sick macbook with the ghost keyboard

[@dabigdawg79]

No recommendation to fill the old screw holes on the doors? Seems like an important detail just glazed over.

[@JTD1105]

a wax wood filler crayon should do the trick.

[@AlejandroTorres-ni8td]

Where is Tommy. Who is this guy

[@zcpoling]

An apprentice that they had on ToH.

[@scotttovey]

@@zcpoling That explains why he didn't fill the old holes. But it's good to see them use their apprentices.

[@HScorching]

@@scotttovey Yeah, the guys we watch like ten years ago are getting old and probably retiring soon. I don't see Roger Cook that much anymore.

[@michaelbodell111]

​@@HScorching he came out and said his health is not in good condition he said it on an episode said he'll be taking time off that's why you don't see him as much

[@Metlupass2]

@@michaelbodell111 he's been looking really bad lately like he had a stoke.

[@playful1510]

I couldn't tell if he was saying 'Draw' or 'Drawer', and context changed while the word stayed the same...

[@keithjohnston5936]

Yeah, I was taught the word was drawer(s). But it seems more like “pull up your draws”, or “close the cabinet draw”. I understand that the English language is changing, but it’s getting so lazy.

[@vbachman6742]

@@keithjohnston5936 I lived in the Boston area for a good while (from Tennessee originally) and it took me a while to realize that natives say draw where the rest of us say drawer.

[@patrickgueho3287]

Where can you buy that special drill bit

[@markhall3323]

Really good video, useful info thanks

[@valeriejefferd1490]

what if there are no screws are the hinges glued in ?

[@marthasantiago4005]

I followed the video and read the directions but that little white hinge did not work at all. I was careful in my measurements. I rewatched the video to see how deep the track went in and could not work it out. The track would had to be at least at the very edge. I even tried adding wood on the edges without the white hinge. After I thought I finished the draw got stuck.. Aayyy

[@maxdondada]

I hate to be that guy but the beginning of this video has all the makings of a 70’s era porno 😂

[@exmember1607]

6:20 I agree. You should definitely buy a jig like that. Then after the project, return them for a full refund! You get your project completed perfectly and you save money!

[@flat-earther]

If you owned a store would you want people buying your tools and returning them after use?

[@baomin60]

Thanks for sharing! I am in the middle of a DIY home update (during covid). I have 3 antique upper cabinet doors and two large base cabinets that are super large and solid wood. The problem is, they sit flush inside the frame openings and have ornate, antique outside hinges. (Wish I could insert a pic or two...*Sighs*). I'd love to update the hinges, but can you recommend a hidden hinge for this type of situation?

[@flat-earther]

Since your doors fit inside the frame and you want a hidden hinge you need an inset hinge. But if the existing hinges work why bother.

[@ThePhilandPam]

Wow that’s expensive, we refurb property for a living and have upgraded many kitchens, surely the costs can’t be that more expensive in the US compared to the UK, enjoyed the video though 👍

[@2011blueman]

No, that guy was thinking in terms of what he would charge the customer for total labor, not what the hinges cost. Those hinges and slides would be a maximum of $250 for the whole job in the US.

[@MrBrandenS]

@@2011blueman he said that was just the hardware not including labor.

[@2011blueman]

@@MrBrandenS I still think he's conflating the labor costs with the materials costs. If he's paying $1,500 for those hinges he's getting screwed by his supplier.

[@ThePhilandPam]

I watched it again and I’m sure that’s 1500 just for the hardware, maybe he means including labour though which makes more sense.

[@anthonysapalo1750]

Getting frustrated with my cabinets and drawers. Wanted to switch to soft close but end up getting the wrong hardware as they won't sit or close correctly

[@JTD1105]

are these slides from Liberty hardware?

[@jeramycook1764]

Is it common to have multiple different overlays in one kitchen? I've measured all of my cabinets and have 4 different overlays.

[@jima4286]

Yeah, someone using self-centering drill bits! They are not that expensive, though most hardware places do not carry them.

[@norrisW]

Easy upgrade that definitely helps when you have sleeping kids in the house 👍🏻

[@xmassan20906]

Easy for you. For us DIY, weekend warriors its a nightmare playing with little screws in a tight space and no jig/ socket to hold the sliders level.

[@norrisW]

xmassan20906 I understand. But once you do a few of them you will get a hang of it.

[@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec]

If you use quality rubber pads/domes it dampens a lot of the noise when closing a drawer. It gets you 75% of the result and costs a tiny fraction of the cost.

[@kylegrimm8808]

@@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec most people think it's about the noise. Soft close is actually about saving your doors and drawer boxes from damage. The constant slam is what breaks the drawer box and doors.

[@saleen281281]

very nice, worth every penny, welcome to the 21st century for the haters.

[@CASTSTONE]

Worth $1500? You can get a whole set of cabinets for that.

[@jaydoubleu3419]

is that what they use at home depot only

[@alanlisting2080]

The other original host much more talkative and informative as he worked. WHY NOT FILL THE OLD HOLES ON THE DOORS?

[@stellaaniston9774]

Only reason I could see Alan was laziness, I am going to fill mine in. I hate sloppy work!

[@oldtwinsna8347]

@1:46 what's with the puff of air blowing sawdust everywhere in the kitchen? should have a hand vac to clean it up.

[@proficientbuilders7714]

Could you not find the correct hinge for the existing hole locations in the door. I know where i live i could. Also make sure you get the correct hinge with the overlay.

[@godbluffvdgg]

The chinese junk they have at homedepot is set up for a universal install...You can see those counter sinks were almost centered on the style...

[@brianp2707]

I'd rather drill new holes over using the existing. Depending on the quality of the cabinets anyway. Doesn't take much to wear out the existing holes.

[@nauthizzz]

Maybe not. Since this is something that a homeowner could realistically do themselves, it's actually better to demonstrate what's important to match on a hinge vs what could be worked around.

[@CKFERRELL]

what brand of hinges and drawer slides are you using in this video?

[@rawbacon]

TEC Soft-Close cabinet hinges, which are manufactured by Grass USA. Soft-close, full extension, ball bearing, side mount drawer slides, which are manufactured by Everbilt.

[@coleve8596]

$1500 just to have a soft close drawer. Give me the money and I’ll go round to their house and open and shut the drawers for them

[@zacharyburdette4261]

Colin Nicol the drawer glides are the expensive part. just look up "soft close drawer hardware" on Amazon

[@Pie4life123]

ikr what a waste of money

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

welcome to the wonderful world of professional and financially rewarding work.

[@For_Cruyff_Sake]

Lol

[@TheOtherBill]

zachary burdette Don't look on Amazon for that stuff, I paid 2.25 ea. for hinges and they were $9 on Amazon.

[@heyitsrick01]

What he DIDN'T say was there are ATTACHMENTS to make soft close drawers that do NOT require buying new drawer slides... (which can be WAAAAAY more expensive) With the ATTACHMENT you LEAVE the existing drawer slide in place & add the attachment at a fracion of the cost and alot less time too and voila......... you have soft close drawers.

[@twes619]

I'm finishing up my kitchen, instead of the white socket, I built my base cabinets all the way out. I feel like that plastic socket will weaken over time, maybe not. The socket method was faster for sure. Mine are solid now and screwed into the sides so it should last almost forever? :) Not sure where$1500 came from? I built 10 doors, and 9 pull out shelves for under$1500. The home centers charge a lot for Euro hinges, try and find a local shop.

[@japan-e9j]

Beautiful

[@Bremend]

The apprentice has become the presenter

[@kenkobra]

Are you kidding me. 1k for the hardware. I found it on Amazon everything for $215.00.

Easy when there is already a mortised relief. Thy it with a flat face...not possible with those hinges.

[@katies6401]

oh wow oh wow that's cool oh wow

[@Skammerd]

Where in the name of my hate for Tom Brady is Tommy Silva?

[@timetriad6199]

I guess there’s no hinge adjustments needed...?

[@flat-earther]

This show doesn't show every step.

[@allanb.1922]

He's using good Blum hinges, but he should have gotten the Blumotion hinges with matching screw holes so there wouldn't be exposed holes. B-

[@flat-earther]

In description they wrote he is using TEC Soft-Close cabinet hinges, which are manufactured by Grass USA

[@Mike__B]

$1000-1500? Wait didn't he say at the beginning that "Soft close would have been a 'little bit more' of an option" that's an expensive damn option. That said, before I got married, before I had kids, I had no need for soft close slides... funny how that changed. But I'll deal with the noise rather than pay that.

[@richardlug6139]

You can get a 50 pack of hinges (25 doors) anywhere from $70-$90 bucks and 10 pair of soft close drawer slides for $110 from amazon. As long as you do not go and buy one at a time from the big box stores it should not come even close to that amount.

[@BatMan-cq8gq]

I believe he misspoke and meant the whole job would cost 1,500. Materials are obviously not 1,500.

[@kronk358]

Wow! That acting! Even better than normal. HAHA!

[@computerkid1416]

My favorite part: "Oh wow, that's cool."

[@jorgeuribe2995]

What brand of slides did you use?

[@rawbacon]

Soft-close, full extension, ball bearing, side mount drawer slides, which are manufactured by Everbilt

[@shordy77]

I’m ready to build my house lol

[@patandbrandi]

Of course the holes dont line up. Kinda janky with exposed holes.

[@BatMan-cq8gq]

Those holes on the backside of a cabinet door ain't bothering anyone.

[@WideOpenThrottleC6]

whats a draw?

[@nastyhvacr]

Is he going to take over for Tommy, probably not since he’s more a finish kahpenter.

[@miterandbevelco.8859]

$1,500 is a fair price that a professional handyman might charge for materials and installation for soft close in an entire kitchen. As far as material, he uses Kreg soft close hinges and drawer slides, which makes these tedious jobs easier, but are more expensive. There are more affordable soft close options out there.

[@DoniaDesautels]

but how will anyone know I'm angry if I can't slam some doors???? Jk, great vid

[@melanticagaming1877]

What do you do with the old stuff???

[@mph5896]

Throw it in the garbage.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

"Every kitchen guy loves their jigs." Nuff said.

[@kesomon]

I wonder if full extension slides can be hacked onto IKEA dresser drawers.