ᐅ Kallax too tight after wall modification – should the doors be adjusted?
Created on: 13 Dec 2015 16:27
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DRAGAN33
Hello everyone,
I recently moved one of my walls slightly, which made my Kallax shelf fit much tighter than originally planned. The shelf still fits in the niche, but the doors are now so restricted that they either don’t open properly or are very difficult to open. My question is: Has anyone here ever modified or rebuilt the doors of a Kallax shelf to solve the problem of tight measurements caused by a wall change?
I can imagine cutting the doors or repositioning the hinges, but I don’t want to make any unconsidered changes. Are there any proven tips for adjusting Kallax doors to make them easy to open again?
Thanks for your help!
I recently moved one of my walls slightly, which made my Kallax shelf fit much tighter than originally planned. The shelf still fits in the niche, but the doors are now so restricted that they either don’t open properly or are very difficult to open. My question is: Has anyone here ever modified or rebuilt the doors of a Kallax shelf to solve the problem of tight measurements caused by a wall change?
I can imagine cutting the doors or repositioning the hinges, but I don’t want to make any unconsidered changes. Are there any proven tips for adjusting Kallax doors to make them easy to open again?
Thanks for your help!
reybo schrieb:
How tight is the gap exactly by now?Thanks in advance for the initial input!
The gap is currently about 2 cm (1 inch) too narrow for the standard door width, so not huge, but definitely tight enough that I can no longer swing the doors open. They catch on the wall.
PRA64 schrieb:
Carefully sand the doors to reduce their width slightly.Good idea, I’ll try that first.
However, I wonder if that will eventually make them unstable? The doors are not solid wood but rather thin with a slim frame, as I mentioned before.
Parmin schrieb:
First take precise measurements and check tolerances, then decide.That’s exactly how I plan to proceed; I don’t want to rush anything anyway.
I’m also curious about new hinges — how difficult is it to find ones with some play and remount the door?
DRAGAN33 schrieb:
I am also interested in how it is with new hinges – how difficult is it to find ones with some play and remount the door?Hello DRAGAN33,
that’s a good question! Here are some tips:
Kallax often uses simple cabinet hinges that are relatively slim. If you want more play, so-called “long-arm” or “adjustable” hinges from hardware stores can help, as they allow fine adjustment of the position.
They are not very expensive, and installation is doable for DIY enthusiasts if you proceed carefully.
It is important to drill all holes completely first and then not to tighten the screws too much while aligning and adjusting the door. Some hinges allow adjustment in height, depth, and side, which is a great help with such tight clearances.
I recommend precise measuring and studying the hinge catalogs beforehand. Some models might also require narrower doors.
Summary: Hinges with adjustment options help you position the doors perfectly. It is easy to accomplish but requires some patience.
Good luck!
DRAGAN33 schrieb:
I’m also curious about new hinges – how difficult is it to find ones with some play and reinstall the door?You can do it! 🙂
I once upgraded the doors on a Kallax unit with flexible insert hinges – they really provide more adjustment room.
If you sand the doors a bit first and then install new adjustable hinges, you can get the gap almost perfectly aligned.
Just remember: take your time, test frequently, and you’ll be rewarded with a great result. Good luck – you’ve got this! 😉
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