We have absolutely hated our slatted bi-fold pantry doors since we moved into our home, and replacing them has been on our to do list for years but it just never made its way to becoming top priority. When I say we hated them, that is an absolute understatement. These doors were completely useless.
They refused to stay closed no matter what we did, plus they were an eye sore. We finally decided to replace them, but not before having some “Office Space” style demo fun first. (Remember how much they hated the printer in that movie? Well that’s us with these doors.)
Here’s what they looked like before. Ignore the mess! And seriously they would not close and popped open like this every time we tried. And don’t even get me started on the handles.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Home Depot. All opinions are my own.
Before removing the doors, we decided to smash them to bits using my new DeWalt Engineering Hammer. Why not have some fun, right? We made it a family affair and each of my kids had a few turns hitting the doors (while wearing safety glasses, of course).
They loved it! I think we all appreciated the opportunity to take out some stress and aggression on these terrible doors. (P.S. Please no judging the messiness of our pantry or our snack choices! Haha)
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t typically encourage my children to destroy things, but I made an exception for this special occasion and it was actually a great way to channel some of their energy. Besides, they definitely have plenty of practice breaking things! (Life with boys.)
Let’s talk about the DeWalt Engineering Hammer. It’s 4 lbs and has a forged medium-carbon steel head. It also has a lightweight 12.2 inch fiberglass handle with overstrike protection.
It’s funny, I had been trying to decide what to use this hammer for when I received it from my friends at Home Depot, and one day I was sitting at the kitchen table just staring at these doors that I despised so much, and a light bulb went off.
I decided I would destroy them! Ha, I know that sounds a bit aggressive, but it was all in good fun. Here’s the aftermath of our fun time.
The good news is, we replaced the doors with legitimately functional and much more attractive ones. They actually stay closed! I picked these up at the Home Depot. They came with easy to follow installation instructions and I was able to install them in under an hour.
They came primed, and I painted them white in a satin finish. I used the same lucite and gold pulls that I used on our guest bedroom closet. (I used this technique for painting them.)
My Gorilla Grip Max Impact gloves came in handy (no pun intended) when I was installing the new doors. These gloves are super breathable and they have a tough outer polymer skin that protects from abrasions but is also flexible.
GG Max technology allows for a good grip in wet or dry environments, and the Rhino tech provides protection without compromising breathability. I always have trouble finding gloves to fit my tiny hands, but even the Medium size in these fit me pretty well.
I am so relieved to check this project off my list. And it’s crazy how much nicer our kitchen feels just from such a minor change. Sometimes the simplest things really do make a big impact. This project was such an easy upgrade.
What are some of your favorite simple changes you’ve made to your home? Let me know in the comments! You can check out my other projects here.
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Disclosure: I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
Good job Erin! I enjoyed seeing your boys being part of the demolition.
Thank you, Pam!
You literally don’t give any information about anything. This post is just one giant paid promotion.
Correct, it’s a tool and product review. Seemed pretty obvious. Not sure what information you’re looking for as replacing bi-fold doors is pretty self explanatory. The purpose of this post is to share information about the tools and supplies I used.