How to Add Glass Panels to Your Cabinet Doors

Installing glass panel cabinet doors can be a great way to elevate your kitchen design. Whether you are at the start of a kitchen remodel or are just looking for a DIY project to give your kitchen a facelift, then adding cabinet doors with glass could be just right.

The part of this DIY project is that you will only be adding glass to select cabinet doors, so this does not have to be a major project. You should think critically about your choice, as whatever is in the cabinets that get glass panels will be on display. As you plan out where you want to add glass panel cabinet doors, a moment to check out our walkthrough for installation. This way, once your mind is made up for placement, all you will need to get started is a trip to the hardware store.

Buy New Glass Cabinet Doors or Modify?

For this project, there are two ways to approach it. The first and easiest way is to purchase cabinet doors that are already cut for glass. At CabinetDoorMart, nearly all of our door styles can be ordered pre-cut for glass inserts and we include the rubber stops for installation. However, we do not ship the glass. This gives you the opportunity to explore creative and unique options without having to remove an existing glass panel.

The other option is to remove the panel from one of your existing cabinet doors for glass installation. While clearly more difficult than the first option, this is a task that you can DIY if you have the right tools and determination. Before we get started, let’s take a moment to talk about options for glass inserts.

Traditional Glass or Perhaps Something Else?

Whether or not you take on this project yourself or buy from us, you will need to source an insert for your cabinet door. For the most part, people tend to go with a traditional clear glass panel. This can be a great way to style and depth in your kitchen. You could also add French lites to enhance the look. However, what if you are someone who is interested in the nontraditional?

Those looking to make bold statements with their new glass cabinet doors should explore custom glass options, stained glass, and even tile! These are all options that you could use for your cabinet doors to create a truly unique and personalized experience. Alternatively, you could also opt for materials like plexiglass or chicken wire to create lightweight, highly-functional cabinets.

No matter what stylistic direction you take your glass cabinet doors, it is important to provide accurate measurements when cutting glass. Typically, you can get traditional clear glass cut to size at many hardware stores, or if you are looking for more custom or creative options, glass studios often have online showrooms.

Materials

• Glass or Plexiglass
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Jigsaw
• Caulk
• Glass Fasteners

Steps for Modifying Your Cabinet Door

1. To start, remove the cabinet doors you plan to modify for glass. If you are also removing hardware, be sure to label everything so that it can be correctly reassembled.
2. Once you have your doors off, place them face down on your work area. Be sure you have put down protective covers over surfaces that could be damaged.
3. Starting at the bottom left corner, drill down into the cabinet door’s panel. Then, repeat on the top left, then bottom right, and finally top right. Be sure to only drill into the panel, so that you do not damage the frame of the door.
4. Using the jigsaw, carefully cut from corner to corner until you have removed the cabinet door panel.
5. Lightly sand the interior rim of the cabinet door frame.
6. Run a bead of caulk around the cabinet door frame.
7. Carefully lay the glass insert onto the frame and press down along the frame so the caulk adheres to the glass. The glass insert should overlap the frame by ¼ to ½ of an inch all the way around.
8. Allow at least 30 minutes for the caulk to dry before proceeding to the next step.
9. Affix four to six glass fasteners to the cabinet frame. Use a screwdriver to secure the screws into the wood cabinet frame.
10. Rehang your cabinet doors and enjoy your new kitchen.

Notes on Glass Cabinet Doors

• Wooden Trim: If you took the DIY path and want to get a more finished look. You can try adding wooden trim around the glass panel to give it an extra level of detail.

• Recessed panels: If you order our doors cut for glass, they will have a recessed area for the glass panel to fit into. It is extremely important that you take accurate measurements of this area before having your glass cut to ensure the best fit.

Final Thoughts

However you go about this project, adding glass cabinet doors to your kitchen design is an excellent way to elevate a design and give it more depth. However, you will need to be sure to keep these cabinets clean on the inside as well as the outside, as the glass panel would allow your mess to be seen by all.

If you are ready to start ordering or if you have questions about your project, feel free to give us a call at 1-844-326-6680 or an email to info@cabinetdoormart.com. Our trained experts would love to help with everything from questions to measuring to ordering!