ᐅ Is it possible to retrofit PAX wardrobes with glass fronts?

Hello everyone,

I currently have a standard PAX wardrobe from IKEA with the usual wooden doors. Now I’m considering whether it is possible or practical to retrofit this wardrobe with glass fronts. I’m especially interested to know if IKEA itself offers suitable glass fronts as an upgrade or if there are recommended alternative solutions from third-party suppliers.

It is also important to me whether the installation of glass fronts is technically straightforward, for example regarding mounting points and stability. I would prefer not to remove the original doors and modify the glass fronts myself if this leads to complications.

Additionally: What effect do glass fronts have on the load-bearing capacity of the doors, and how does this compare to the standard wooden doors of the PAX system?

I’m looking forward to your experiences and tips on whether and how PAX wardrobe doors can be retrofitted with glass without much effort.

Thank you in advance!

rogaje schrieb:
whether it is possible or practical to retrofit this cabinet with glass fronts

Good question! I actually did something similar myself – at least almost. IKEA offers glass backs and glass fronts for individual PAX doors, but the options are limited and unfortunately not always available for all door models.

What I can recommend: Original PAX doors are usually made of a wooden frame with a core of plywood or a similar material. For glass fronts, IKEA sells special glass doors that are precisely matched to the dimensions of the PAX shelves. If you already have wooden doors, the retrofit effort is quite high because you either need to remove the wooden doors or completely replace them with new sliding glass doors or glass doors.

Regarding installation: The glass fronts are mounted with special hinges that can support the weight well, but you need to make sure to use the right type of glass so it is sufficiently shatter-resistant.

In short: Yes, retrofitting is possible, but usually involves replacing the doors. Simply "slapping glass onto the existing doors" is generally not an option.

But hey, a bit of DIY can be fun 😉

rogaje schrieb:
whether IKEA itself offers suitable glass fronts as retrofits or if there are recommended alternative solutions from third-party suppliers

Regarding the retrofit of glass fronts for PAX wardrobe doors: IKEA does indeed offer some glass doors as part of their PAX system, which fit standard sizes. These are usually complete doors with glass set in a frame and are not intended as replacement panes only.

- Retrofitting an existing wooden door by simply attaching a glass front is not technically feasible, as the doors are not designed to accommodate an additional glass pane.
- Replacing the entire door with a glass door within the PAX system is the most reliable and safest solution.
- Alternative third-party suppliers occasionally offer glass fronts and grid systems for PAX, but fit is often an issue and can lead to instability.

Regarding load capacity: glass doors are generally heavier than wood but are accounted for by the PAX frame and hinges. The hinges are specifically designed for the door weight.

For retrofitting, I recommend purchasing new glass doors from IKEA or authorized dealers. Custom builds or attaching glass panels to wooden doors require specialized construction knowledge and involve safety risks.

In summary: retrofitting is possible, but only by replacing the complete door. Original hinges or compatible replacement parts are necessary for installation.

Danabla schrieb:
Retrofitting an existing wooden door simply by attaching a glass panel is technically not feasible

I completely agree. However, I wonder why IKEA isn’t more flexible and at least offers a retrofit kit for PAX doors with glass.

One could argue that the market for this kind of “semi-transparent” look is large enough, especially for people who don’t want to buy brand new doors.

So, you either have to live with the existing wooden doors or replace them entirely.

Also, not all glass is the same. Many underestimate that even IKEA’s glass panels have special coatings or safety features. Simply attaching some random glass or securing it with tape is not only questionable in terms of appearance but also dangerous.

Anyone taking this step should know exactly what they are doing—or choose what IKEA offers for complete glass doors. Otherwise, it’s more of a DIY experiment with increased risk.

Personally, I would recommend a professional upgrade, not half measures.