How To Change a Kitchen Cabinet Handle

Kitchen cabinet handles have a big impact on the space you are working on. In This article you will learn how to change a door handle on cabinets and drawers. This method can be used on all types of door handles.

Step One: Measuring the Screw Holes

The CC size is the distance measured between the screw holes. To find this you must take a ruler or tape measure and measure from the centre of one screw hole to the other. Since the industry agreed on standardisation back in the 1980’s you can expect your measurements to be either 64mm, 96mm, 128mm and 160mm. At Hafele, we offer handles that have as much as 1157mm in hole spacing to support our customers with projects of a wide variety of sizes. If you measured somewhere close to one of these standardised numbers, it is most likely okay to round up or down a few mm to one of those versions.

Top Tip: You can measure this distance with the handle still on the cabinet drawers by using the screws on the inside of the drawer as markers, or you can remove the handle completely.

If you are installing handles for the first time and do not have holes already drilled into your cabinets, there is a different solution.

Start by purchasing a template from your local trade supply store. A template (or a jig) will allow you to quickly and easily install handles and knobs without the need of a homemade jig or template.

 Step Two: The Right Tools for the Job

What You Need:

-          New Handles & Knobs

-          Screwdriver or Drill

-          Cloth

-          Bowl of Warm Soapy Water

Before you begin the installation, you will need to gather all the materials you need for this project. When updating cabinet door handles, you may wish to purchase some knobs to go with them. Most kitchens today have a combination of the two. Whilst aesthetics are a key component to your kitchen hardware update, making sure you have the right sized piece must be the first step. You can easily filter and search through our collection of cabinet handles and knobs to find the right solution for you.

You will also require a screwdriver to remove the old components and install the new ones. Finally, a cloth and cleaning solution to remove any dirt and grime that has built up in the space behind the cabinet handle.

Step Three: How To Remove Existing Handles/Knobs/Pulls

Start with your screwdriver. Gently unscrew the current cabinet door handles. You may wish to use a drill here, but make sure to push in hard and turn the mechanism slowly to refrain from stripping the screw. If you do strip the screw, you can attempt to solve this by switching to a larger driver bit or placing a rubber band on top of the screw before trying again.

During the removal process, take your time so you do not damage the screw holes which will be needed for installation or the structural integrity of the cabinet itself.

Step Four: Cleaning the Surface

Now that you have removed the cupboard door handles, you can begin to clean the surface. Start with a dry cloth and wipe away any dirt that you can. The reason we do this is to protect the paint beneath the dirt. If we were to start rubbing the painted surface with hard bits of grit, you could damage or remove the paint. Once that step is done, grab a clean, soft cloth and your cleaning mixture of warm soapy water. Dip the cloth in the water and use that to remove any stubborn bits.

Step Five: Install Your New Handles

Your clean surface area is ready to work with. You can now install the new cupboard door handles. Simply place them in and ensure the screw is tight. Make sure you’ve filled any old holes that were left by the previous handles. Check that the door closes and opens properly, and that the new handle is correctly attached.