ᐅ Are there any experiences with retrofitting soft-close mechanisms on IKEA Brimnes furniture?
Created on: 29 Jun 2023 18:07
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Austinse55A
Austinse5529 Jun 2023 18:07Hello everyone,
I would like to start a discussion about retrofitting soft-close mechanisms on IKEA Brimnes furniture. My specific question is: Has anyone already had experience installing soft-close fittings on Brimnes doors? I’m interested because the doors in my furniture often slam loudly, and I’m looking for a simple but durable solution without having to completely rebuild the furniture.
I’m especially interested in the following points:
- Which soft-close mechanisms have you used or found to work well with Brimnes?
- How complex was the retrofit (tools needed, installation instructions, time required)?
- Has the functionality and quality noticeably improved after the retrofit?
- Were there any problems or limitations (e.g., due to the material thickness of the doors or the existing fittings)?
I look forward to your experiences and any tips on suitable products or sources. Thanks in advance!
I would like to start a discussion about retrofitting soft-close mechanisms on IKEA Brimnes furniture. My specific question is: Has anyone already had experience installing soft-close fittings on Brimnes doors? I’m interested because the doors in my furniture often slam loudly, and I’m looking for a simple but durable solution without having to completely rebuild the furniture.
I’m especially interested in the following points:
- Which soft-close mechanisms have you used or found to work well with Brimnes?
- How complex was the retrofit (tools needed, installation instructions, time required)?
- Has the functionality and quality noticeably improved after the retrofit?
- Were there any problems or limitations (e.g., due to the material thickness of the doors or the existing fittings)?
I look forward to your experiences and any tips on suitable products or sources. Thanks in advance!
Hello Austinse55,
to answer your question in detail, here are my experiences:
- Soft-close type: Many people use hinges from Hettich or Blum designed specifically for IKEA, as these are compatible with standard drilling patterns. If you don’t want to replace the original hinges, you can also buy overlay dampers that simply attach to the door or cabinet side.
- Installation effort: When replacing hinges, you need to remove some old screws and fit new hinges. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes per door if you work carefully and have the correct screws.
- Tips: Check beforehand whether your doors already have a standard size and 35mm (1.4 inch) drilling holes (these are common). Otherwise, you might have to make adjustments, which can quickly become time-consuming.
- Improvements: With soft-close, the doors close noticeably better. You no longer feel a slam; they close gently and quietly. This enhances living comfort.
- Possible issues: Sometimes you might not be able to align the doors perfectly if you use unsuitable hinges. Make sure that adjustment options are available.
If you need help choosing a product, feel free to ask!
to answer your question in detail, here are my experiences:
- Soft-close type: Many people use hinges from Hettich or Blum designed specifically for IKEA, as these are compatible with standard drilling patterns. If you don’t want to replace the original hinges, you can also buy overlay dampers that simply attach to the door or cabinet side.
- Installation effort: When replacing hinges, you need to remove some old screws and fit new hinges. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes per door if you work carefully and have the correct screws.
- Tips: Check beforehand whether your doors already have a standard size and 35mm (1.4 inch) drilling holes (these are common). Otherwise, you might have to make adjustments, which can quickly become time-consuming.
- Improvements: With soft-close, the doors close noticeably better. You no longer feel a slam; they close gently and quietly. This enhances living comfort.
- Possible issues: Sometimes you might not be able to align the doors perfectly if you use unsuitable hinges. Make sure that adjustment options are available.
If you need help choosing a product, feel free to ask!
P
PeoDaniel29 Jun 2023 20:12Hello Austinse55,
I understand your question well, as I have personally installed soft-close upgrades on IKEA furniture before. The Brimnes series can be a bit tricky because the doors are relatively thin and mostly made of particleboard. Therefore, I especially recommend making sure that all drill holes are precise and that the screws used are not too long to avoid splintering or damage.
Regarding installation:
- Replace the original fittings or use clip-on dampers? Personally, I find clip-on dampers easier because they can be removed cleanly without leaving any residue.
- Pay close attention to the positioning to ensure the doors close properly and the soft-close function works effectively.
If you like, I can provide a brief guide for the upgrade. It’s important to check the load capacity and compatibility when purchasing, as not every model fits the Brimnes series.
Hope this helps you for now!
I understand your question well, as I have personally installed soft-close upgrades on IKEA furniture before. The Brimnes series can be a bit tricky because the doors are relatively thin and mostly made of particleboard. Therefore, I especially recommend making sure that all drill holes are precise and that the screws used are not too long to avoid splintering or damage.
Regarding installation:
- Replace the original fittings or use clip-on dampers? Personally, I find clip-on dampers easier because they can be removed cleanly without leaving any residue.
- Pay close attention to the positioning to ensure the doors close properly and the soft-close function works effectively.
If you like, I can provide a brief guide for the upgrade. It’s important to check the load capacity and compatibility when purchasing, as not every model fits the Brimnes series.
Hope this helps you for now!
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Austinse5530 Jun 2023 08:42fredle schrieb:
Check in advance whether your doors already have standard dimensions and pre-drilled holes for 35 mm cup hinges (these are common). Otherwise, you might have to make adjustments, which can quickly become complicated.Thanks for the tip, that is actually important for me. My Brimnes doors are typically 15 mm (0.6 inches) thick, made of coated particleboard, so they probably won’t fit all hinges. Are there soft-close hinges specifically designed for thinner doors like those on Brimnes, or do you think overlay dampers are more flexible if the door thickness isn’t standard?
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