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IKEA Shaker Slim Doors

ABC Modern completed this beautiful IKEA Bathroom Remodel using our Silt SmartMatte Shaker Slim doors. In the master bath they used shaker slim fronts in Super Real Walnut Laminate. ABC Modern - IKEA Bathroom Remodel Shaker Slim in Silt SuperMatte 14

Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.

IKEA Doors Vs Custom Aftermarket

While there are quite a few custom cabinet door companies that focus on providing options, options, options for homeowners that choose IKEA cabinetry, we have a few things in common.

Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.
  • First off, the main difference and biggest selling point are the added finish and profile options that aftermarket cabinet door companies offer.
  • The second difference being customization. If you need custom options for a specific look, size, or shape, IKEA is rarely able to accommodate.
  • Third, and this is why IKEA won’t produce a Shaker Slim front: IKEA doors are 5/8” (Slab) – 3/4” (Shaker) thick and the aftermarket doors average 3/4” – 7/8” to 1”.
ABC Modern completed this beautiful IKEA Kitchen Remodel using our Silt SmartMatte Shaker Slim doors. In the master bath they used shaker slim fronts in Super Real Walnut Laminate 5

Door Thickness & Frame Limitations

How does door thickness prevent IKEA from making a version of the Shaker Slim door? It’s all a matter of engineering. And, IKEA is serious about engineering ease and consistencies between products.

Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.

If you look at IKEA’s door profile options, what they offer are flat panel fronts and variations on the Shaker style door. And the frame width on the Shaker style doors is 2 1/4” to 2 3/4” (57.14 – 69.85 mm) wide. What this does is provide the necessary frame thickness needed to accommodate the 1/2” (12.65 mm) hinge bore depth for their standard Blum soft-close hinges.

Custom Shaker Slim Profile. Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.

What this means is that for IKEA to produce a Shaker Slim front and accommodate their standard hinges that homeowners have grown to love, they would then need to make the main door panel thicker than usual. Add on the Shaker Slim frame (applied molding between 3/8” and 3/4” with a 3/8” reveal (frame height)), this would result in IKEA producing their thickest door to-date.

Standard IKEA Hinge Bore Detail. Shaker Slim, Slim Shaker, Skinny Shaker, Quarterline Doors: These are all common names for quite the hot ticket item for modern and transitional IKEA Kitchens. Of course, the issue being that you can’t get them directly from IKEA: the truth is that IKEA does not and likely will not ever produce and Shaker Slim door. But why is that? This week we take a moment to explain some of the subtle differences between IKEA and custom retrofit fronts that have grown so popular over the last 15 or so years.

IKEA prefers a thin door, the final thickness dictating whether it will have a MDF/HDF or a particle board core to provide proper weight. In contrast, Dendra Doors and other aftermarket door vendors tend to mostly lean towards an MDF/HDF core. The analysis of these design factors means a Shaker Slim door would not be consistent with it’s other products. So, unless IKEA decides to go with a different type of hinge, which is very unlikely, we won’t be seeing a Shaker Slim door from them.

Written by Todd Zimmerman

Producer of the John Webbccast

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