The Complete Handbook of Cabinet Doors

It's a solid reference, I'll give it that. The chapter on hinge overlay calculations alone saved me from a costly mistake on my own kitchen remodel. I was hoping for more depth on specific high-end hardware integration, and the sections on troubleshooting felt a little generic in places. It's a good desk reference, but I didn't find it to be the single source of truth I was expecting.

As someone who refaces cabinets on the side, I picked this up hoping for a leg up. The measurement and spec chapters are pretty clear and I've already adjusted my process for inset doors. The reservation I have is the business opportunities chapter—it feels like a list rather than real advice on pricing or finding customers. It's a useful manual, but don't expect it to be a business course.

Finally, a handbook that talks about cabinet doors without trying to sell me a specific brand. The breakdown of different MDF densities and where they're appropriate was exactly what I needed. It's a bit dry, but it's a reference book, so that's expected. I only wish the photos were in color; some of the finish comparisons are hard to see in black and white.

Lots of good information here, especially for a beginner like me. I appreciated the clear diagrams in the installation chapter and the checklist for pre-hanging inspection. However, I found the 'Future Trends' section to be mostly fluff, and some of the maintenance advice, like using mineral spirits on thermofoil, has been contradicted by other pros I've talked to. A good start, but take some of the advice with a grain of salt.

This is the book I've been looking for for years. I've installed cabinets for twenty years, and I still picked up three new troubleshooting tricks for stubborn overlay alignment issues. The chapter on hinges alone is worth the price—the author clearly understands the physics of what happens when you hang a heavy door. It's now the first thing I recommend to the apprentices we bring on.

I'm a hobbyist woodworker, and my last cabinet project ended with a lot of frustration over door sag and finish cracks. This book laid out the 'why' behind those problems--like understanding wood movement and proper hinge spacing--which other guides skip. The troubleshooting chapter is my favorite part. It's direct and practical. A worthwhile purchase for anyone serious about getting it right the first time.