What To Expect When Ordering Glass Cabinet Doors At Cutting Edge
Ordering glass cabinet doors? Learn what to expect, what’s included, and how to avoid project delays with this complete guide.
If you’re a cabinet maker, contractor, or homeowner, you’re probably under pressure. You’ve got deadlines, clients to satisfy, and no room for surprises. When it’s time to order glass cabinet doors, you want the process to go smoothly. Perhaps the last order arrived missing key parts. Maybe the glass didn’t fit or wasn’t included at all, and no one told you. These situations cost you time, money, and trust. These situations cost you time, money, and trust.
At Cutting Edge, we understand the frustration these problems cause. Our team produces hundreds of glass cabinet doors yearly in many styles and materials. We’ve worked with contractors who needed quick turnarounds, and with homeowners who wanted something unique. We know the questions to ask, the pitfalls to avoid, and the clarity you need before you place your order.
In this article, you’ll get a clear look at what to expect when ordering glass cabinet doors, including:
Glass Cabinet Doors, Also Known As Frames, Are Open For Glass
Glass cabinet doors, also known as glass frames, are doors with an open centre designed to hold a pane of glass. These doors are popular in kitchens because they add style and display options while making the space feel more open.
But there’s more to them than good looks. Because they hold glass, the frames must be strong, accurate, and compatible with hardware and hinges. They can come in different profiles and styles, but all share one key feature: an open middle, ready for a glass insert.
What To Expect When Ordering Glass Cabinet Doors
Ordering glass cabinet doors isn’t as straightforward as it might sound. Let’s walk through the key things you need to know before placing your order.
Glass Cabinet Doors Are Prepped To Receive Glass
Most glass cabinet doors arrive with the glass area rabbeted. That means a groove has been cut into the back of the frame so you can insert your glass.
This step is standard for suppliers like us at Cutting Edge. It saves you the extra step and ensures the frame is ready for installation. The frame arrives with everything shaped and sized, ready for the glass insert.
Glass Cabinet Doors Do Not Usually Come With Glass
However, glass cabinet doors rarely come with the glass. In fact, in most cases, they don’t.
Why? There are a few reasons:
- Shipping glass is risky because it can break in transit.
- Customers often want to choose the glass themselves.
- Sourcing glass locally is usually cheaper and faster.
So, you’ll need to order the glass separately or visit a local glass shop. This gives you more control, but it’s something to plan for.
Glass Cabinet Doors Can Cost More Than Standard Cabinet Doors
It often surprises people that glass cabinet doors cost more, even though they include less wood. But the reason comes down to how pricing works.
The main thing to know is that the square footage is calculated differently. With standard doors, square footage includes the full piece (the centre panel and the frame). But with glass cabinet doors, the centre panel is removed, leaving only the frame. Since the entire square footage now consists of solid wood, the price per square foot is higher.
For more information, read this article that explains how pricing works for glass frames.
Glass Cabinet Doors Have Unique Limitations
To make room for the glass, the back of the frame must be milled out. That means the exterior frame needs to be wide enough to support the glass groove and hinge boring while maintaining structural strength.
If the frame is too narrow (less than 2 ¼”), you might be unable to have both hinge boring and glass prep.
Glass Cabinet Doors May Not Have Material To Hold The Glass In Place
Once you’ve inserted the glass, you need something to hold it in.
Some suppliers offer rubber gasket or clear clips. Others don’t include anything. You might be told to use silicone, which works but isn’t easy to remove if you ever need to replace the glass.
At Cutting Edge, we offer the rubber gasket for free, but you must request it at the time of order. It’s worth knowing that the rubber gasket doesn’t always fit, so ask your supplier how to install the glass.
You Will Likely Have To Install The Glass Yourself
And, as you might have guessed, most suppliers don’t install the glass.
You’ll need to install the glass yourself once your order arrives. Depending on your preferences, this can mean:
- Pressing it into place with rubber gasket
- Securing it with clear silicone
- Using flexible plastic clips
Each method works, but it’s important to know what your supplier recommends. If you’re working with Cutting Edge, we’ll guide you based on the profile you choose.
How To Learn What To Expect When Ordering Glass Cabinet Doors
If you’ve ever placed a cabinet door order and felt unsure about what was (or wasn’t) included, you’re not alone. Glass doors add another layer of complexity, and they’re not all built the same way.
Here are some questions you can ask to ensure you’re clear on what to expect regardless of who you order from:
- Are the doors prepped for glass? Most suppliers cut a groove (called a rabbet) so the glass sits flush in the frame, but it’s not safe to assume.
- Is the glass included? In many cases, it’s not. This gives you the flexibility to choose your style or source it locally.
- What holds the glass in place? Some suppliers include the rubber gasket if you request. Others may expect you to use silicone or separate clips.
- Can the frame support both glass and hinge boring? Some narrow profiles don’t allow room for both.
- Will you need to install the glass yourself? Most of the time, yes, and you’ll want to know the preferred method before your order arrives.
These questions aren’t complicated, but getting clear answers up front can save you time, prevent mistakes, and help you avoid costly delays down the line.
Knowing what to expect gives you control and lets you focus on what matters most: completing your project with confidence and quality.
Learn How To Price Out Glass Cabinet Doors Online
At the end of the day, ordering glass cabinet doors shouldn’t leave you with questions, delays, or missing parts. You deserve clarity. You deserve consistency. And you deserve a supplier who sets clear expectations so you can plan your installs with confidence. Whether it’s understanding what’s included, how the doors are prepped, or what you’ll need to install the glass, the best outcomes start with the right information upfront.
If you’ve ever been left scrambling because your order wasn’t what you thought it would be, you know how frustrating that is. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Now that you know the right questions to ask and the potential limitations to look out for, you’re in a stronger position to avoid delays and deliver high-quality results on time. If you’re planning an order now, your next step is simple: learn how to price out your glass cabinet doors online so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
