Choose Cabinet Hardware by Door and Drawer Size, Then by Grade

Choose cabinet hardware by the size of each door and drawer first, measuring pulls center to center, and then check the grade the maker states under the BHMA standard. Ask the seller for each product’s specification sheet, because it governs the fit and the grade.

How big should knobs and pulls be?

Top Knobs says standard knobs range between 1 and 2 inches in diameter, and that on drawers less than 16 inches wide it recommends one knob directly at the center, with two knobs on larger drawers. It says bar pulls are traditionally measured center to center and should not exceed one third of the length of a cabinet door or the width of a drawer. For pulls, it says lengths of 3 to 7 inches sit most comfortably on doors less than 24 inches tall, 7 to 12 inches suit doors 24 to 36 inches tall and pulls longer than 12 inches suit taller doors such as pantries, built-in appliances and pullouts. For drawers 16 to 32 inches wide it suggests two smaller pulls 5 to 7 inches long or one larger pull 9 to 12 inches long, and a drawer broader than 32 inches needs a pull longer than 12 inches. If you are replacing pulls, remove one and measure the distance between the screw holes from center to center, and ask the seller whether the new pull matches that spacing.

What does the BHMA grade tell you?

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association says its ANSI/BHMA A156.9 standard covers cabinet hardware including hinges, knobs, pulls, catches, shelf rests, drawer slides and rotating shelves, with performance tests for operation, cycling, strength and finish. It says the tests are performed under laboratory conditions and that in actual use results vary because of installation, maintenance and environmental conditions. Under the standard manufacturers shall indicate the grade level of their products, and three grades are offered for most products, with additional grades for drawer slides. Ask the seller which grade each hinge, pull and slide is stated to meet, and treat the grade as a laboratory result and not a promise of life in your kitchen.

What should you check before you buy?

1. Measure each drawer front width and each door height and write them down.
2. Measure the center-to-center spacing of any existing pulls.
3. Ask for the specification sheet of each product and compare the hole spacing and length.
4. Ask which BHMA grade the maker states for hinges, pulls and slides.
5. Ask the maker for the finish care guide and keep it with your project papers.

Match the Hardware to the Doors Before the Finish

Keep the specification sheets and the measurements with your project papers, and when you request kitchen remodeling quotes, ask each contractor which hardware and which grade the price assumes.