New Hinge Installation Guide

CABINET DOOR UPGRADE — DETAILED INSTALLATION GUIDE

Compatible with standard 35 mm cup-pre-drilled cabinet doors.

Tools You May Need

  • Phillips or Posi-Drive screwdriver (Posi-Drive recommended for hinge adjustment screws)
  • Pliers (for removing dowel inserts, if present)
  • Clamp and straight wood block (for frameless / Euro-style cabinets)
  • 1/2" door-set jig (or equivalent spacing jig for face-frame cabinets)
  • Soft pad or towel (to protect the door while working)

1. Remove the Existing Door

Open the cabinet door fully so you can clearly see the hinges and mounting plates.

  • Clip-style hinge: Press the small release tab or lever at the back of the hinge arm. While holding the door with one hand, lift the door away from the mounting plates.
  • Non-clip hinge: If there is no release tab, remove the screws that fasten the hinge arm to the plate or cabinet interior while supporting the door.

Carefully set the door aside on a padded surface to avoid damage.

2. Remove Old Hinges from the Door

Lay the door flat on a protected surface (workbench, table, or countertop with a towel beneath).

  • Remove the screws securing each hinge to the door.
  • Lift the hinges out of the 35 mm cup holes.

3. Remove Factory-Installed Dowel Inserts (If Necessary)

Some cabinet doors use plastic or metal dowels instead of traditional wood screws inside the 35 mm hinge cup holes. Your new hinges may arrive with dowels pre-installed. If your door does not use dowels, simply remove and discard the dowels from the new hinge before installation.

If your existing door does use dowels, there are two correct installation methods:

Option A — Existing dowels stay in the door (most common)
• Make sure the existing dowel in the door is fully seated and flush with the surface.
• Remove the dowels from the new hinge.
• Install the new hinge using the screws included in your kit; they will fasten directly into the pre-drilled dowel inserts in the door.

Option B — Your old hinges used press-in or metal dowel-style fittings
These dowels are permanently attached to the old hinge and will come out with it when removed.
• Position the new hinge—with its pre-installed dowels—into the 35 mm cup.
• Press the hinge firmly into place. A light tap with a hammer works, or you can use a clamp to squeeze the hinge into position if you prefer a more controlled approach.

Removing dowels from new hinges

If dowels are not needed for your installation:

  1. Grip the dowel tightly with pliers.

  2. While holding the dowel, use a screwdriver on the opposite side and turn counter-clockwise until the dowel backs out.

  3. Discard the dowels.

  4. Use the wood screws included in your kit to mount the hinges to the door.

4. Install Your New Soft-Close Hinges

Your new soft-close hinges are designed to fit directly into the existing 35 mm cup holes.

  • Align the 35 mm hinge cup with the pre-drilled cup hole in the door.
  • Press the hinge cup fully into the hole so it sits completely flush with the surface of the door.
  • Install the provided screws into the hinge cup fixing holes and tighten until snug. Avoid overtightening to prevent stripping the material.
  • Repeat this process for all hinges on the door.

5. Remove Existing Hinge Plates from the Cabinet

With the door completely removed and new hinges installed on the door, it is time to replace the hinge plates.

  • Locate the existing hinge plates on the inside of the cabinet (or on the face frame).
  • Remove the mounting screws holding each plate in place.
  • Clean away any dust, debris, or splinters to ensure a flat mounting surface for the new plates.

HINGE PLATE INSTALLATION — CHOOSE YOUR CABINET TYPE

Follow the instructions below based on your cabinet construction:

  • Frameless / Euro-style cabinets (no face frame around the opening)
  • Face-frame cabinets (a visible wood frame around the front of the cabinet box)

A. Frameless / Euro-Style Cabinets

Most common in modern cabinet construction.

6A. Create a Support Ledge

A temporary support ledge makes it much easier to hang and align the door.

  • Clamp a straight wood block across the bottom inside edge of the cabinet opening.
  • This block will act as a small shelf for the door to rest on during installation.

7A. Attach the New Hinge Plates to the Hinges

  • Clip or slide each hinge plate onto its hinge arm, following the hinge manufacturer’s design.
  • You should feel or hear a “click” when the plate is fully seated on the hinge arm.

8A. Hang the Door

  • Place the bottom edge of the door on the support ledge inside the cabinet opening.
  • Rotate the hinges so the hinge plates touch the inside wall of the cabinet.
  • Ensure the “feet” or flat surface of each plate sits firmly against the cabinet interior.
  • While the door rests on the support ledge, fasten the hinge plates to the cabinet using the supplied screws.
  • Remove the support block once all hinge plates are secured.

9A. Adjust the Hinges

Your hinges are adjustable in three directions. For best results, use a Posi-Drive screwdriver or bit on the adjustment screws to reduce the risk of stripping.

  • Left / Right (side-to-side): Align door gaps and spacing between adjacent doors.
  • In / Out (depth): Adjust how far the door sits in or out relative to the cabinet front; helps control closing feel and reveal.
  • Up / Down (height): Fine-tune vertical position so the top and bottom edges line up with nearby doors or cabinet components.

Make small adjustments and check the door motion after each round until gaps are even and the soft-close action engages smoothly.

B. Face-Frame Cabinets — Half-Overlay Applications

Face-frame cabinets have a visible frame around the front of the cabinet box. In a half-overlay application, the door covers part of the frame, leaving a consistent reveal.

6B. Position the 1/2" Door-Set Jig

A 1/2" jig helps create a consistent bottom reveal and supports the door during installation.

  • Hook the jig onto the inside bottom lip of the face frame.
  • The jig should provide a stable ledge for the door to rest on while you install the hinge plates.

7B. Hang the Door Using the Jig

  • Place the door onto the jig so the bottom edge sits fully supported.
  • Rotate the hinges so the hinge plate “feet” rest flat against the inside of the face frame.
  • While the door remains supported on the jig, fasten the hinge plates to the face frame with the supplied screws.

8B. Adjust the Hinges

  • Use the hinge adjustment screws to raise or lower the door, move it left or right, and bring it closer or farther from the frame.
  • Aim for an even reveal around the door, smooth operation, and consistent soft-close action.

Final Check

  • The door opens and closes freely without rubbing.
  • The soft-close mechanism engages in the last 2–3 inches of travel.
  • Gaps between doors and between door and cabinet frame are even and consistent.
  • The door sits level and flush with neighboring doors or panels.

Your cabinet door upgrade is now complete. Enjoy smoother operation, a cleaner look, and modern soft-close performance.