Why Don’t My Kitchen Cabinets Close Properly Anymore

If your kitchen cabinet doors are refusing to close properly, it might feel like they have suddenly turned on you. One day they shut fine, then they start slamming, sticking, or staying half-open for no reason. This is a common problem in both older kitchens and even ones that had a recent kitchen cabinet installation. In many Saskatoon homes, the cabinet boxes are still strong and in good shape, while the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware take most of the wear. Small shifts in hinges or alignment can add up over time and throw things off.

As we head into winter in Saskatchewan, these problems tend to show up more often. The cold air outside mixes with heated indoor air, affecting the way wood moves and behaves. Many people try to fix it themselves, but that usually does not solve much in the long run. We are breaking down some of the everyday issues that cause this and what signs mean you might want backup from a pro.

Everyday Wear and Tear on Hinges and Latches

Cabinet doors get a lot of use, and like anything used multiple times a day, parts start to wear out. Hinges and latches take the brunt of this.

• Hinges can loosen slowly as screws wiggle around with daily use. This can cause the door to drift out of line or sag.

• Magnetic or mechanical latches can shift or stop working entirely. When the catch does not connect properly, the door might bounce back open or fail to click closed.

• If you slam or swing doors open often, the repeated force can knock things out of alignment just enough to cause rubbing or sticking.

Sometimes, all it takes is one component wearing out to throw off how the full cabinet system works. Problems can build up in quiet ways until they are staring you in the face every time you open a cupboard.

Saskatoon’s Winter Weather and Wood Movement

Anyone living through a Saskatoon winter knows the air inside gets very dry. All the snow and freezing temps make it hard to keep moisture in the air, even with a humidifier running.

This change in humidity can make wooden cabinet parts shrink, dry out, or shift slightly. The same door that closed smoothly in October might not sit quite right by January. This natural movement in the wood often shows up as:

• Small gaps between the cabinet and the door

• Doors that now rub against each other or stop midway

• Subtle warping that throws off the closure

Good kitchen cabinet installation helps account for these seasonal shifts. But even solid setups can change over time, especially if the house itself is adjusting.

Poor Installation or Settling Over Time

Cabinets that were not installed with precision might look fine at first. Over time, though, small errors can leave the whole setup off balance.

• If the cabinets were not level or secured to the wall studs properly, they can slowly shift out of square.

• Floors may sink slightly or walls might move a hair, which is enough to affect cabinet alignment.

• Signs of this often show up around the doors not lining up, or one door catching when the other does not.

If you moved into a home where the kitchen was already redone, you might not know how things were put in. Years of house movement combined with quick installations can lead to lingering problems that only show up later.

Hardware That’s Past Its Prime

Not all hardware lasts forever. Even good-quality hinges and soft-close systems eventually wear down from years of use.

• Soft-closing parts, like hydraulic dampers, can stop slowing the door like they used to. This can lead to the door bouncing open again or slamming shut.

• Screws and clips that hold the hinges in the right position can come loose or strip out of the cabinet box.

• If replacements were made over time and the hardware does not match, one door may perform totally differently from the others.

Sometimes you will notice just one or two doors acting up. In those cases, it might be something as simple as replacing worn parts instead of redoing the entire cabinet system.

When It’s Time to Bring in a Pro

It might start with just one sticky door or a little knock every time you close the cabinet. But small issues can turn into real problems if they are ignored. That is why some signs mean it is probably time to have someone take a closer look.

• A cabinet specialist can spot whether the problem is with the door, the frame, or the entire alignment setup.

• If the face frame is cracked or warped, or the cabinet box is pulling away from the wall, you will want that handled before more damage happens.

• An expert will check if the problem ties back to installation issues, environmental changes, or failing hardware.

Trying to fix things yourself usually just treats the surface of what is going on. If doors keep going out of line even after you adjust them, that usually means there is a deeper issue underneath everything.

Get Your Cabinets Working Smoothly Again

Sticky cabinet doors might be annoying, but they do not usually mean the entire kitchen has to be redone. Most issues come down to simple wear, small shifts in the home, or changing indoor air. A refacing specialist can update the look by replacing just the doors and drawer fronts and covering the face frames so everything matches again. Having a few parts checked and adjusted might be all it takes to bring things back into line.

In Saskatoon, winter is a common time for these problems to pop up. Between shrinking wood and icy cold outside air, your cabinets go through a lot more than we often think about. If they are not closing right, listening to the early signs can make a real difference. At Vilness Millworks we Transform Kitchens!

Tired of kitchen cabinet doors that stick, sag, or won’t stay shut? Small alignment or hardware issues can slow you down daily, but with the right adjustments or a fresh refacing, you can enjoy a smoother, more functional space. We’ve helped homeowners transform frustrating setups into kitchens they love. Let our kitchen cabinet installation expertise give you confidence that your cabinets are built to last. Reach out to Vilness Millwork Solutions to get started, we transform kitchens.