Kitchen cabinets endure a lot of wear and tear. From grease splatters while cooking to the repeated opening and closing of doors, over time this can lead to dents, chips, and other damage. Not to mention the cacophony of sounds from doors and drawers slamming shut. Fortunately, there is an easy and affordable way to protect your cherished cabinets – installing door stops.
Door stops do exactly what their name implies: they stop cabinet doors from swinging too wide or banging into walls and countertops. But they also provide other useful benefits, like noise reduction, an added measure of convenience, and even a touch of style. Read on to discover why cabinet door stops should be considered an essential addition in any kitchen remodel or upgrade.
Why Cabinet Door Stops are Essential
From a purely practical standpoint, a quality door stop is a worthwhile investment that will preserve the condition of your cabinets. The average kitchen sees a lot of traffic, and doors end up bearing the brunt of all that activity. Without a protective barrier in place, repeated impacts can chip paint, warp panels, and dislodge hinges. Door stops eliminate the majority of collisions that contribute to this incremental damage.
Additionally, the noise mitigation door stops provide is reason enough for many homeowners. No one wants to hear loud banging doors first thing in the morning or late at night. It’s disruptive and unpleasant. Door stops cushion doors as they close, greatly reducing irritating noise pollution.
Door stops also enable cabinet doors to stay open on their own accord without needing to be held manually. This allows you to access interior contents with both hands free. It’s a subtle enhancement, but one that makes cooking, cleaning, and rummaging that much more convenient.
Types of Door Stops for Cabinets
When it comes to keeping your cabinets dent and ding-free, not all door stops are created equal. There are a variety of types available that operate in different ways to safely stop doors before they strike walls or cause damage. Examining how each version works will help you select the best match for your kitchen’s needs.
Magnetic Door Stops
How they work: Magnetic door stops provide adjustable strength via embedded magnets within a discreet stop piece and mounting plate. When the door draws near the closed position, the magnet engages the plate to halt further movement.
Benefits: Easy installation, customizable strength, and subtle profile are magnetic door stops’ biggest advantages. Place them anywhere doors may meet walls or cabinets without marring surfaces.
Placement tips: Mount magnetic stops approximately 5 inches from points where doors may hit or bang. Note that effectiveness is reduced on stainless steel or other non-magnetic cabinet materials.
Expanding Cabinet Door Rods
How they work: Retractable door rods extend out from cabinets at opening to stop the swing. They compress back down flush when closing.
Benefits: Compact storage when not needed allows discreet mounting even in tight spaces. Plus, adjustable length provides a custom fit for nearly any size door.
Placement tips: Position expanding cabinet door rods on inner cabinet faces near corners and appliance cutouts to act as bumpers where space is limited.
Cabinet Door Bumpers
Materials: Basic door bumpers have self-adhesive foam or rubber backs to stick onto cabinet edges and absorb blows. More heavy duty versions screw-mount.
Benefits: Cushioning doors is bumpers’ purpose, and they excel at protecting both doors and wall edges at an affordable price.
Placement tips: Position bumper pads wherever routine door motions may lead to high impact zones like near knobs or handles.
Self-Closing Door Hinges and Stops
How they work: Enclosed springs or hydraulic cartridges mounted within special hinges automatically draw doors closed once opened without manual assistance.
Benefits: No other door stops match the hands-free convenience self-closing mechanisms provide. Simply open cabinets normally and the hinges do the rest.
Considerations: Match hinge size, door style, and weight capacity to ensure optimal performance. Improperly sized units will not mount or function properly leading to early failure or other issues.
Door Stop Placement Guidelines
To fully protect your kitchen cabinets, door stops must be positioned properly relative to anticipated contact points. Follow these recommendations when determining optimal placement:
- Measure the swing path of each cabinet door to identify potential collision zones
- Make note of openings like near appliances or corners that may intersect with that path
- Mount door stops approximately 3 to 4 inches prior to identified impact points
Keep in mind that the most effective door stop placement depends greatly on your unique cabinet sizes and kitchen layout. Be sure to fully test movement once installed to confirm doors open sufficiently yet stop shy of striking walls or other doors.
Customizing Your Cabinet Door Stops
Standard cabinet door stops certainly get the job done, but for those desiring a more tailored solution, customization is possible. Aesthetic and functional preferences can both be accommodated with the range of size, color, and mounting options available.
Matching the finish of your door stops to existing cabinet hardware or paint colors adds another layer of refinement. Or make them a bold accent shade for contrast. Size can also be calibrated to harmonize with your cabinet dimensions for a balanced look and feel.
If reducing noise is your priority, focus on soft close stops or bumpers to silence door impacts. Prefer a hardly noticeable profile? Opt for streamlined magnetic stops. Those favoring hands-free accessibility will appreciate self-closing hinges that automatically return doors flush against cabinets.
Work directly with knowledgeable kitchen professionals to blend optimal door protection with your personal style for a custom kitchen solution.
Installation Steps for Cabinet Door Stops
Installing door stops is a straightforward process, though particular mounting systems vary. Generally speaking, these guidelines apply across all types:
Prepare the Installation Area
- Clean the cabinet area thoroughly where stops will attach. Eliminate all debris and grease residue for best adhesion.
- Make any necessary measurements to position door stops appropriately relative to door swing zones.
Mount Expanding Rods or Magnetic Stops
- Drill pilot holes if the hardware requires them for screws.
- Carefully follow the door stop manufacturer’s provided instructions for proper installation.
Stick on Door Bumper Pads
- Peel away the adhesive backing and firmly press bumper pads in place for at least 30 seconds of contact.
Be sure to thoroughly test movement of doors once the door stops are installed. Make any adjustments to placement or size for optimal function.
At first, having stops present may feel unusual and doors will behave differently than you’re used to. But after some adjustment time, the benefits of your upgraded system will be readily apparent.
Cycle cabinet doors slowly to observe where and how the stops engage. Note any locations requiring further adjustment for seamless protection. You want them functioning automatically, yet subtly enough that you hardly notice their activity day to day.
In no time, you will come to appreciate how effortlessly they work to defend your cherished cabinets against wear and tear. No more worrying about dents or replacing damaged hardware every few years. Just smooth, quiet operation and pristine surfaces to admire.
Give your kitchen cabinets the first-class treatment they deserve. Installing door stops is an inexpensive way to protect your investment while avoiding headaches down the road. Help preserve cabinets in the peak condition they deserve with this simple but transformative upgrade!
