Cabinet Backplates
by Robin
You may decide to use cabinet backplates if you are replacing the existing cabinet knobs and pulls or if even if you are installing new cabinets. They can be used for either functional reasons or just for looks.
What Are Cabinet Backplates?
Cabinet backplates are the piece of cabinet hardware that sits between the face of the door and the back of the cabinet knob or drawer pull. You don’t need to install a backplate, but there are a few reasons why you may want to. Some people use them to protect the face of the cabinet, some simply like the look they create but in many cases they are used when replacing old knobs and pulls with new ones.
Cabinet Backplate
Cabinet knob backplates can be used to cover existing holes in your cabinets from previous knobs or pulls. If you want to slightly shift the position of the knob or if you have drawer pulls that don’t match the existing holes you can cover the old holes with the cabinet backplate. Another option is to use wood putty to cover the existing holes, but a backplate will usually do a better job of covering them.
Installing Cabinet Backplates
A cabinet backplate is relatively easy to install. As easy as the cabinet knobs and pulls themselves. As with knobs and pulls the most difficult part may be getting the placement right for each door and drawer and choosing the exact backplates you want to use.
First you need to determine exactly where you want the cabinet backplates and knobs or drawer handles. If you are using the backplates to cover existing holes it will narrow your options of where to place them a bit. But you still need to be precise and measure so you know exactly where to drill the holes. Follow directions for installing cabinet knobs and pulls, then when it is time to place the knobs and pulls on the doors and drawers simply place the cabinet backplate behind the knob — between the surface of the cabinet and the knob.
Make sure the screw you are using is long enough to go through the cabinet, the backplate and the knob while still holding the knob securely.
Where To Buy Matching Knobs & Backplates
Cabinet Backplate and Matching Knob
You should be able to buy cabinet handles, knobs and backplates at a local hardware or home improvement store. But if they don’t offer a big enough selection try looking online.
There are a variety of reputable companies that specialize in selling this type of kitchen hardware online. They sell cabinet hardware made by all the big names like Amerock, Liberty, Berenson and Hickory Hardware just to name a few. But you can also find a better variety of truly unique cabinet backplates, knobs and pulls. You can find them to fit just about any theme and you can find everything from oil rubbed bronze cabinet hardware to crystal cabinet knobs.
Cabinet backplates can be a real lifesaver when you need to cover existing holes in your cabinet in order to install new hardware to update the look your room.