Expert: Greg Scholl - 10/20/2010

Question
Hello Greg and thank you for taking the time to read my question. I have looked through past forums to establish how to apply beadboard to my wood kitchen cabinet faces but the only specific question I found did not follow-through with directions or details.

I would like to cut out a thin rectangle of beadboard and then apply a 1 1/2" trim around it and glue that in the center of the cabinet face, approximately 3-5 inches or so from the edges. Do you have any recommendations as to the best/easiest way to accomplish this? I was also thinking of using beadboard paintable wallpaper with a border of wood -- do you think this would be a feasible/easier alternative?

One last question: I am not as handy as I'd like to be yet with a saw and am wondering if there is somewhere where I could buy the "frame" for my beadboard already made and then cut the beadboard to fit. Thanks so much for your response!  

Answer
Hi Lisa, this type of applique work is exacting, and to build a frame around each panel will take miter saw skills...it's like picture framing, essentially. You might be able to find a ready made molding with a 1/4" relief on the back, that would sit over a panel and give you a flush completed frame and panel, but it would still need to be mitered and joined and then finished.Regardless of what you use for the center panel, the tricky part is the molding, and that will take the right tools, (a miter saw with a sharp blade), and some skill to measure it out properly, cut it accurately, and join the frames securely...a ready made picture frame from some place like Micheal's Craft Store might work for you, but to find the exact size to center in your doors may not be possible, especially because the typical cabinet door is a rather long rectangle. the other option is to have someone produce the frames out of a stock molding for you, but I think you'll find it difficult to get a molding that will be a perfect fit and have the relief cut out on the back...therefore that will likely have to be made, or modified from a stock molding on a table saw as well.It sounds like a novel idea, but to pull it off you will likely have to seek out the assistance of someone with those woodworking skills and the proper tools, a miter saw and a table saw..a must for accurately and easily cutting the panels, and making/modifying/sizing the frame material.....please post back if need be and best of luck- Greg