How do I properly measure for replacement kitchen cabinet doors in NB?

To measure for replacement cabinet doors, you need the exact height and width of each existing door measured to the nearest 1/16 inch, along with the hinge style, hinge boring pattern, and overlay dimension. Getting these measurements right is critical — custom or semi-custom replacement doors take 4-8 weeks to arrive, and wrong measurements mean costly reorders and project delays.

Start by removing one door from its cabinet to make accurate measurements easier. Measure the door itself (not the opening) in three places: width at the top, middle, and bottom, then height on the left, middle, and right. If the measurements vary, use the largest dimension for each. Record every measurement to the nearest 1/16 inch. Even 1/8 inch off can mean doors that don't close properly or leave visible gaps.

Measure every door individually. This is where many NB homeowners make a costly mistake — assuming all doors of the same apparent size are identical. In older New Brunswick homes from the 1960s-1980s, cabinets were often site-built or from smaller manufacturers, and "matching" doors can vary by 1/4 inch or more. Even with factory-built cabinets, years of NB's humidity swings between dry winter heating and humid Maritime summers can cause subtle dimensional changes in wood and MDF doors. Number each door and its corresponding cabinet opening with painter's tape so you can track everything.

Understanding Overlay

Overlay is how much the door covers (overlaps) the cabinet face frame opening. This is the measurement most homeowners miss, and it's essential for ordering correct replacements. To find it, measure the cabinet opening width and height, then measure the door width and height. The difference between the door dimension and the opening dimension tells you the total overlay. Divide by two if the overlap is equal on both sides.

Common overlay types in NB kitchens: Full overlay means the door covers the entire face frame with minimal gaps between adjacent doors (typically 1/8-inch gaps). Partial overlay (also called standard or traditional) covers about 1/2 inch of the frame on each side, leaving the frame visible between doors. Inset doors sit flush inside the frame opening. Most older NB kitchens have partial overlay; many modern renovations use full overlay for a cleaner look.

Hinge Details

Record your hinge type and boring pattern before ordering. European concealed hinges (the most common type installed since the 1990s) require a 35mm cup boring in the door. Older NB kitchens may have surface-mount hinges, partial wrap hinges, or full inset hinges — each requires different door preparation. If you're switching hinge types (common when updating from visible to concealed hinges), you'll need new hinges and possibly different boring, so factor that into your order.

Measure the hinge placement on your existing doors: distance from the top edge to the centre of the upper hinge, and from the bottom edge to the centre of the lower hinge. Replacement doors should match these positions unless you're re-boring new hinge holes.

Ordering and NB-Specific Tips

For drawer fronts, measure the same way — height, width, and overlay. Don't forget to note any special shapes like arched tops, cathedral profiles, or angled end panels.

When ordering replacement doors, you'll choose material and profile. MDF-core with painted finish is the best choice for NB kitchens — it handles our dry winter air without the cracking and warping that solid wood can experience, and it won't delaminate like thermofoil. Solid maple or birch are excellent but expect minor seasonal movement. Avoid rigid thermofoil for NB's climate.

Replacement cabinet doors for a typical NB kitchen (20-30 doors and drawer fronts) cost $2,000-$6,000 depending on material and style, with lead times of 4-8 weeks from most suppliers. Cabinet refacing — new doors plus matching veneer on the visible box surfaces — runs $5,000-$12,000 total and is a smart mid-budget option when your existing cabinet boxes are still structurally sound.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations