What Is a Cabinet Hardware Upgrade?
A hardware upgrade replaces the moving parts of your cabinets: hinges, drawer runners, lift systems, pulls and pull-out organizers. Many kitchens that look like they need replacing have sound boxes and failing hardware. Doors sag because the hinges are worn or the screws have pulled out. Drawers drop because cheap side-mount slides have bent. Fix the hardware and the kitchen works like new.
We are Blum-certified installers and use Blum on every cabinet we build. The same hardware can be retrofitted to most existing cabinets, framed or frameless.
Types of Hardware Upgrades
Hinge replacement
Blum Blumotion soft-close hinges on every door. Stripped screw holes are repaired so the new hinges hold.
Drawer runner upgrades
Blum Tandem runners fitted to existing wood drawer boxes, or new Legrabox drawers built in our shop to replace failing boxes.
Aventos lifts
Lift-up systems for uppers above coffee stations, fridges and range hoods.
Pulls and knobs
Richelieu and Top Knobs hardware installed with jigs so every pull is level.
Organizers
Rev-A-Shelf pull-outs for waste, spices, trays, corners and pantries. For awkward corners, see compact space cabinetry.
Hardware Pricing
| Scope | Price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Hinge + runner replacement | $180-$650 | 2-3 days |
| Pull-out organizer add-on | $220-$850 each | 1 wk |
| Aventos lift retrofit | Quoted by model | 2-3 days |
| Pull and knob install | Quoted by count | 1 day |
Hardware or box?
If a door still sags with new hinges, or a drawer still drops with new runners, the box itself is racked or swollen. We check first, so you do not pay for hardware that will not fix the problem.
When to Upgrade Hardware vs Reface or Replace
Upgrade hardware when the boxes are sound and you like the doors. Reface when the boxes are sound but the doors are dated. Replace with custom kitchen cabinets when the boxes are water-damaged or the layout does not work.
Common Hardware Problems We Fix
Slamming doors
Fixed with Blumotion soft-close hinges.
Drawers dropping on one side
Fixed with Tandem runners or new Legrabox drawers.
Uppers that hit your head
Fixed with an Aventos lift.
Crooked pulls
Fixed with jig-drilled installs.
Choosing the Right Hardware
Hinges
For most kitchens, Blum Blumotion soft-close hinges are the right choice. They come in versions for frameless and face-frame cabinets and for different overlays. We confirm your cabinet type and door overlay before ordering so the new hinge sits the door exactly where it should.
Drawer runners
Blum Legrabox is our standard for new drawers: slim metal sides, full extension and a high load rating. For retrofits on existing wood drawer boxes, Blum Tandem runners mount under the drawer and add soft-close without replacing the box.
Lift systems
Aventos HK for single doors that lift and stay open, HF for bi-fold doors on tall uppers, and HS for doors that lift up and over. The right model depends on door size and weight.
Pulls and knobs
Richelieu and Top Knobs offer finishes from unlacquered brass to matte black. Unlacquered brass darkens over time, which many clients want; lacquered brass stays bright.
Installing Pulls So They Line Up
Pulls look wrong when they are a few millimetres off. We drill every door and drawer with a jig set to your chosen position, so pulls line up across the whole run. On drawers, we centre pulls on the front; on doors, we set them a consistent distance from the edge.
Keeping Hardware in Good Shape
Blum hinges adjust in three directions: side to side, up and down, and in and out. A quarter turn fixes most misalignments. Runners need no lubrication. If a pull loosens, tighten it from inside the door; do not overtighten into the finish.
Questions to Ask Before an Upgrade
- Will the new hinges fit my existing cabinet type?
- Can soft-close be added to my existing drawers?
- Which Aventos model suits my upper doors?
- Will you repair stripped screw holes?
- What warranty covers the hardware and install?
Hardware Upgrades Across the GTA
We retrofit hardware in kitchens across High Park, Swansea, Baby Point and Runnymede, and handle repair calls for property managers across Toronto. Every retrofit is done by the same Red Seal-led crew behind our custom cabinetry in Toronto.
