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March 2010 No. 18 School of Interior Design on practical DIY design ideas
School of Interior Design features article on DIY concepts for kitchens...
October 09 No. 17 Solid Surface benchtop by LG
HI-MACS solid surface is developed by LG Hauys, is a world leader in manufacturing technology, made for seamless installation. HI-MACS is different from traditional decorative surfacing products, as it is non-porous and easy to clean, impact resistant and repairable.
May 09 No. 16 Wear resistance laminate
Laminates are not all scuff resistant and environmentally preferable laminate. This is why Smartpack has chosen a laminate with double the wear resistance performance for the standard range benchtops.
June 08 No.15 Splashback Update
Two new splashback alternatives have now become available for the handyperson to install...
October No.14 Handleless Doors
Finally there is a proper hinge and catch to replace the tip latch and push catch to make a handleless door open enough to get your fingers behind without breaking your nails....
August No. 13 Becoming a Kitchen designer as easy as DYOS
SmartPack Kitchens’ DYOS program gives renovators the ability to design, view in 3D and cost their kitchen or home office renovation. With SmartPack Kitchens’ new Design Your Own SmartPack (DYOS) software, renovators can point and click their way to kitchen and home office designs – seeing the results in 3D and getting an estimate of cabinetry costs – in their own home and without talking to a salesperson.
April No. 12 Kickboards- building on a solid base
The bases of cabinets are made in 3 ways: 1. plinth attached to the cabinets. 2. Legs attached to the cabinet. 3. Inset kickboards with the cabinet sides going to the floor. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type.
December No. 10 Timber benchtops in the kitchen
The can only warmth that timber benchtops bring to a kitchen can only be surpassed by the oven.....
February No.11 Soft Closing Mechanisms for Cabinet Doors and drawers.
The latest technology from Blum and Hettich has been the introduction of soft closing doors and self closing drawers.
November No.9 Flatpack installation hints and procedures.
Some flatpack cabinetsare easier to assemble and install than others but in each case if you follow a simple procedure, organise yourself and have the correct tools and good clean workspace.....
October No.8 Environmental issues in the kitchen
Even the manufacture of a kitchen cabinet can impact on our environment. If you have any environmental conscience then read this short article about how to choose better....
September No. 7 It's a question of Splashback
Above the benchtop and underneath the overhead cabinets is an area of exposed wall which needs to have a surface finish which is easily cleaned using standard non toxic household cleaners.
August No. 6 Door options made simple
Most kitchen companies will offer about five styles, each having a range of colours and finishes. How to choose is the question.
July No.5 Flat pack Wardrobes
Flatpack kitchens are now well publicised and popular. The same system of construction also applies to wardrobes....
No.4 June - Creating a temporary kitchen
Making preparations for a temporary kitchen well before you start...
No.3 May - Flat pack kits
Flat pack kits.......how difficult are they anyway? The question most often asked
April No. 2 Veneer types
Veneer boards are made in a number of different ways. The latest and most consistent in appearance is the restructured type compared to the natural veneer type. Both have a beautiful wood appearance.
March No. 1 Smartpack creates a new website
The new DYOS- Design your own smartpack program downloadable from this site ...
Thursday, 11 October 2007
October No.14 Handleless Doors
Handleless doors, tip latches or push catches.

Cabinet doors without handles have become popular again although they have always had some good uses in entertainment cabinets and the hifi units. It was perceived that handles on cabinets in the lounge or living room makes the cabinet look "kitcheny". A number of solutions have been used and can still be used to solve this problem but all have required a concealed hinge. The hinges were positively sprung, so designed to keep the cabinet door closed by the spring pressure. This tended to act against the push catch or tip latch which pushed the door outwards when released. The result was that the door only opened a small amount ,about 10-20mm, so you had to get your fingers around the gap to open the door.
A solution to this was to take out the spring in the concealed hinge which then allowed the catch to push the door out much further when released. The downside of this is that the door never pulled itself closed anymore and had to be positively pushed shut until the catch clicked in.
Smaller glass hi-fi doors on a pivot hinge worked with a magnetic push catch (which are still widely used and available). When the catch is depresssed, the magnet then positively attracts the steel button fixed to the door and holds the door closed. When released the magnet becomes neutral and the catch pushes the door open. This is successful for small  light weight doors. It is called a hi-fi catch.Now the perfect solution is available. The major hinge manufacturing companies have produced a negatively sprung hinge which springs out when the door is not held in by the catch, so the hinge and catch are working together to push the door open. The catches are more robust, and strong enough to hold the door shut.
It is now feasible to use a good cabinet hinge and have a handleless door.
One thing to be aware of is that for a door that is used often the surface wear of the door must be good otherwise the paint or lacquer or foil will tend to show marks of wear at the position that where the door is pushed in to release. The idea of the handle is to also give the door protection from excessive wear. It is cheaper and easier to replace the handle than have a door resprayed or replaced (where colour matching to older doors becomes a problem.)