Cabinets are a great addition to your space. They provide ample space to store items, such as food and kitchen equipment in the kitchen.
Now that you have installed your cabinets, you find it difficult to open them because they lack handles. This is why you are looking for how to install handles on cabinets.
And since you find value in stainless steel handles, you have narrowed your search to how to install stainless handles on cabinets. Undoubtedly, installing stainless steel on your cabinets can make a world of difference.
Interestingly, installing kitchen stainless steel handles on your cabinets is something you can do on your own with the right guide. However, caution should be exercised when installing stainless steel handles on cabinets, as the process requires hole drilling.
Whether you have your eyes on knobs or pulls, here is a compressive guide on how to install stainless steel handles on your cabinets:
If you are a DIY expert and are familiar with using jigs, the best way to install your kitchen cabinet stainless steel handles is by using jigs.
However, since this guide is basically for beginners without prior experience using such a tool, we will keep the tools to the ones you are familiar with. Here is what you need to get your cabinet stainless steel handles installed like a pro:
* Stainless steel handles/knobs
* Pencil
* Ruler
* Hammer
* Screw
* Drill
The first step in cabinet handle installation is to choose a location, which is where measurement comes in. You need to measure where to place your handle.
However, before you go on, it is worth noting that working on your cabinets can cause debris. You can avoid this by spreading some old newspaper or cloth to collect the debris.
Using a ruler, measure the point where you would like to fix your handle. While some home décor experts recommend placing your handle at the centre, a little offset won’t be a bad idea. The point is to ensure you have your handle where it is convenient for you to open and close your cabinet.
If possible, let someone hold the kitchen stainless steel handle for you on your cabinet while you examine it from a distance. This will give you a great idea of how your cabinet will look when you are finally done with the installation.
Now, based on the location you have chosen, mark the spots where the hole to fix the screw falls on.
Pilot holes are essential to drilling holes in wood, and this is the next step in installing stainless cabinet handles on your cabinets.
On the spots you have marked to fix your screws, hammer a nail into your cabinet. However, there are instructions for this. Hammer in the nail in such a way that it is easy to remove with the tail end of your hammer and ensure they don’t come out at the other side of the cabinet.
Thanks to these holes, you can easily drive in your screws without tearing the wood apart.
It is time to drill a hole in your cabinet. This is the point where most people get it wrong with cabinet handle installation. The thing is, you need to drill the adequate hole to fasten the screw.
The hole must not be too small or big for the screw, and this depends on the bits. Note that if the holes are small for the screw, you can easily enlarge it by choosing a bigger bit. However, you may find yourself stuck if you drill a larger hole for the screw.
Hence, we advise starting from the smallest bit to move up gradually until you achieve the right hole size to fasten your screw.
Pro Tip: One big mistake people make when installing their stainless steel handles is drilling bigger holes for the mounting screw, which can be costly. However, if you find yourself staring at a bigger hole than your screw, apply thread sealant to the holes to hold the crews tight.
Once you have drilled your hole, it is time to fasten the screw into your kitchen stainless steel handle. Using a screwdriver, fasten and tighten your screw but don’t over-tighten it so you don’t cause damage to the handle or your cabinet.
You can now repeat the whole process for all your cabinets. Also, if your handles have multiple holes, repeat the process to drill the other hole(s).
Congratulations! You are done with your cabinet handle installation, and you can give yourself a pat on the back. The only thing left is to remove the newspaper or cloth you placed on the floor and clean up your space.
When installing stainless steel handles on your cabinets, one thing to consider is the right handle type, which depends on your preferences.
Although what matters most is the size of the mounting screw (usually below 0.8cm), you can also decide the type of stainless steel handles for your cabinets.
While the market is flooded with different types of cabinet handles, some are more popular than others. However, note that you can choose whichever one that meets your purpose. Here are the most popular cabinet handles to consider:
Elongated cabinet handles are aesthetically pleasing and can be installed horizontally or vertically on cabinets. Also, elongated handles are available in different color variations, and since you are looking for stainless steel handles,
rest assured you will come across your choice.
They offer a firm grip as they are tightened to the cabinet with two screws.
These Modern Style Stainless Steel Handle and High Quality Stainless Steel Handle will make a great choice of T-bar handles for your cabinets.
As the name implies, edge cabinet handles are mounted at the edge of the cabinet. Home décor experts recommend these handles for lovers of minimalist interiors since they don’t interfere with the aesthetic value of the cabinet.
Shells
Shell cabinet handles share the feature of T-bar handles as they are also installed with multiple screws but take up less space. Shell handles add visual appeal to the cabinet, thanks to the gold- or silver-covered outside part.
Conclusion
Installing handles on your cabinets is undoubtedly a great way to enhance the ease of opening and closing them. While this can be tasking, it is a DIY job you can do on your own.
This blog post has provided you with a step-by-step guide to installing stainless steel handles on your cabinets professionally and all you need to take into consideration during the process.
Paying attention to the instructions in this guide will help you have a smooth installation process.
For example, when cutting holes in your cabinets, be careful so you don’t cut unnecessary holes you don’t need. While you can fill the holes, they can steal your cabinets’ aesthetics.
Are you looking for a stainless steel handle that meets your needs? At Hench Hardware, we have different styles of stainless steel handles to boost your cabient’s aesthetic.
Check our stainless steel handle catalog.