ᐅ Is it possible to combine Ikea PAX wardrobes with wooden cabinet doors?
Created on: 27 Apr 2023 09:12
N
Naelge
Hello everyone,
I am currently considering using an Ikea PAX wardrobe system but am unsure whether it can be easily combined with real wood cabinet doors. Specifically, I am not referring to the original PAX doors from Ikea, but rather custom-made wooden doors or doors from a hardware store that I would like to use.
My questions are:
- Are these types of doors compatible with the PAX carcasses’ mounting system?
- Is modification often necessary, for example with hinges or door frames?
- Are there any issues regarding stability and durability?
I want to be as certain as possible whether such a combination is feasible and practical without complicated adjustments or ending up unable to assemble it.
I look forward to your experiences and advice!
I am currently considering using an Ikea PAX wardrobe system but am unsure whether it can be easily combined with real wood cabinet doors. Specifically, I am not referring to the original PAX doors from Ikea, but rather custom-made wooden doors or doors from a hardware store that I would like to use.
My questions are:
- Are these types of doors compatible with the PAX carcasses’ mounting system?
- Is modification often necessary, for example with hinges or door frames?
- Are there any issues regarding stability and durability?
I want to be as certain as possible whether such a combination is feasible and practical without complicated adjustments or ending up unable to assemble it.
I look forward to your experiences and advice!
I think the idea of customizing Ikea Pax wardrobes with individual wooden doors is generally interesting. But honestly: if you buy the Ikea system and then have doors made separately, you’re basically looking for higher quality and more individuality. That almost raises the question of why you wouldn’t just choose a completely custom wardrobe system from the start.
The assembly won’t be simple, and if you don’t work precisely, the overall enjoyment of the project will suffer.
I don’t quite agree with that. Multiplex can seem stable, but it looks less premium and isn’t always perfectly finished. Solid wood with good sealing is, in my personal view, always the better choice – even if it can move slightly.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of cost-benefit analysis. Maybe the combination isn’t the ideal solution, but rather a compromise.
The assembly won’t be simple, and if you don’t work precisely, the overall enjoyment of the project will suffer.
Dirkmin schrieb:
Multiplex is generally more stable than solid wood, warps less, and is therefore suitable.
I don’t quite agree with that. Multiplex can seem stable, but it looks less premium and isn’t always perfectly finished. Solid wood with good sealing is, in my personal view, always the better choice – even if it can move slightly.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of cost-benefit analysis. Maybe the combination isn’t the ideal solution, but rather a compromise.
Six months ago, I completed exactly this project: combining PAX carcasses with solid wood fronts. What was important to me:
- Precise measurement of the doors
- Reworking the 32 mm drilling holes from the PAX system
- Using PAX hinges
The result looks great. Only minimal adjustments were made during installation, and the hardware works reliably. The doors are 19 mm (0.75 inches) thick and well sealed, so no warping is visible.
Conclusion: yes, it works well – but without precise work, it can be challenging.
- Precise measurement of the doors
- Reworking the 32 mm drilling holes from the PAX system
- Using PAX hinges
The result looks great. Only minimal adjustments were made during installation, and the hardware works reliably. The doors are 19 mm (0.75 inches) thick and well sealed, so no warping is visible.
Conclusion: yes, it works well – but without precise work, it can be challenging.
kloreo schrieb:
The doors are 19 mm (0.75 inches) thick and well sealed, so no warping is visible.Thank you for your experience report. Did you process the doors yourself or have them made by a carpenter? And how did you seal the surface? I feel that surface treatment is often underestimated.
Naelge schrieb:
And how did you seal the surface? I feel the topic of surface treatment is often underestimated.That's exactly right. The surface should be treated at least with a two-component lacquer or oil to prevent moisture damage. All edges should also be sealed, as warping often starts there.
I always recommend painting doors at least three times before installation. Make sure to allow proper drying time; otherwise, the paint edges near the hinge area can stick and impair your system.
I agree: surface treatment is the key issue with wooden fronts because the wood naturally expands and contracts.
Another thought: Ikea PAX is designed around clearly defined tolerances and for furniture systems with consistent dimension elements. While wood can visually enhance the design, the long-term functionality might be compromised because wood tends not to conform to such rigid dimensions.
So, you should always expect a certain loss of control if it’s not Ikea’s plastic or chipboard material.
Another thought: Ikea PAX is designed around clearly defined tolerances and for furniture systems with consistent dimension elements. While wood can visually enhance the design, the long-term functionality might be compromised because wood tends not to conform to such rigid dimensions.
So, you should always expect a certain loss of control if it’s not Ikea’s plastic or chipboard material.
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