How hard is it to replace the inside panel in kitchen cabinets with glass? Should a professional do this or can anyone? Would a Glass installer or cabinet maker do this type of work?

 

If your panels float and are sitting in grooves all around, it can be done, but it is very meticulous, and you have to have the hands of a sober surgeon. The only way to get the panel out without taking the frame apart is to cut around the panel about 1/4" at first on the inside of the door. If you need to go wider, so be it, as you will know once the first cut is made. Once the panel is out, you now have a rabbet to install your glass. Got to thinking about it, some panels are set from the back, and if that is your case....much easier.

 

Hi,

Here is how you can do it.

1. Cut a piece of plywood to about the same size as the doors. Draw a diagram on the plywood for the openings you'll cut in the doors.

2. Remove screws from cabinet door hinges with screwdriver.

3. Clamp the plywood pattern to the workbench and drill a hole inside the area to be cut away. Put on safety glasses and dust mask and cut opening with jigsaw. Smooth the edges with a file.

4. Now place a piece of rubberized mat on the workbench, topped by a scrap piece of plywood, then the cabinet door and finally the plywood pattern. Secure pattern to the board with a couple of pieces of double-sided tape.


5. Cut out the door opening using a plunge router . You may need to make three passes, setting the depth a little deeper each time, to cut out the door opening.

6. Switch to a rabbiting bit on the router to create a pocket in the door for the glass to fit in. Run a thin bead of caulk around perimeter of window pocket .

7. Insert the window into the pocket and secure by driving pushpins into the sides of the opening using the painter's tool . Put two pins at each corner, and one more at the midpoint of each side.

8. Replace the cabinet door. Continue with other cabinet doors as desired.

Chris Rivademar