ᐅ KALLAX doors swell after exposure to moisture – could there be an underlying cause?
Created on: 15 Sep 2020 10:12
K
Kinke3
Hello everyone,
I have an issue with my IKEA KALLAX shelving units, specifically with the installed doors. After more humid weather or when airing out the room, the doors no longer open or close properly. It feels as if they are catching on the cabinet walls or the hinges.
I suspect that moisture in the wood or particleboard causes the material to swell, which in turn blocks the doors. Has anyone experienced this behavior? Is there a permanent solution to prevent the KALLAX doors from sticking when humidity levels are higher?
I’ve also considered whether the material can be treated somehow, or if this is a design-related issue that is difficult to avoid.
I would appreciate any advice, tips, or well-founded guesses!
I have an issue with my IKEA KALLAX shelving units, specifically with the installed doors. After more humid weather or when airing out the room, the doors no longer open or close properly. It feels as if they are catching on the cabinet walls or the hinges.
I suspect that moisture in the wood or particleboard causes the material to swell, which in turn blocks the doors. Has anyone experienced this behavior? Is there a permanent solution to prevent the KALLAX doors from sticking when humidity levels are higher?
I’ve also considered whether the material can be treated somehow, or if this is a design-related issue that is difficult to avoid.
I would appreciate any advice, tips, or well-founded guesses!
Kinke3 schrieb:
How exactly does it work with KALLAX? Is there a step-by-step guide I can follow?Hello again,
Yes, the hinges on KALLAX doors are usually what’s called cup hinges, which typically have very fine micro-adjustments for depth, height, and lateral alignment.
Brief explanation:
1) Lateral adjustment: This lets you move the door horizontally so it sits centered in the frame and doesn’t stick.
2) Height adjustment: This allows you to adjust the door up or down – very useful if the doors hang unevenly or hit each other when closing.
3) Depth adjustment: This screw changes how far the door swings inward or outward, affecting the gap to the cabinet body.
It’s best to proceed step by step, turning each screw only in small quarter turns. Regularly check how the door fits and whether it opens and closes smoothly.
Regarding sanding: Remove only a little material if needed; often just lightly deburring or smoothing small uneven spots is enough.
I hope this helps. If you like, I can also provide a rough sketch or some photos of the hinges (without you having to send pictures).
Good luck!
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