Medicine Cabinet

[CAGallery]

We need a medicine cabinet for the bathroom in our new store and I would like to make one using a nice frame and then use it as a sample for customers.

Over the years we have supplied frames for medicine cabinets to designers and contractors but I have no idea if they custom built it or bought a ready one and just put on a new frame. I would prefer not to have to break into the tile to recess the cabinet. Any suggestions?

 

[Kyle Henson]

I've used off the shelf cabinets from the big box home stores before. I have used poly and wood. Just be mindful of the cheap hinges if you put a big heavy frame. I wasn't so mindful once and had to reinforce with a couple of extra hinges.

 

[Bob Doyle]

I would think you are asking about a shadow box, with a fabric backing, glass shelves and a mirror piano hinged to the top. I think you could come up with a really great looking one. Just pretend a customer asked you to make it and let you imagination go wild

You could then recess the back and use a cleat to hang it.

 

[Baer Charlton]

In making a "Medicine" cabinet, there are a few things to think through:

• Sanitation - you need to be able to clean the cabinet to a sterile condition; slapping paint on cardboard just doesn't cut it anymore.
• Most cabinets "off the shelf" are 3-3/8" deep and meant to "inset" (even if you don't want to cut into the tile)
• The mirror needs to be light (1/8" or 3mm) but able to withstand the casual slamming that goes with the territory)
• Securing - If you surface mount, remember that the cabinet will continually be trying to leverage itself off of the wall, and that increase with every inch you open that heavy door.
• Hinge placement - I love the person who place the 3" moulding with 2" over lap, then inset the cabinet with no space for the frame to rotate into...
• Hinges - because of the weight of the mirror, need to be oversized or a continuous "piano" hinge.
• IF you build a medicine cabinet, and sell it -- YOU ARE A MANUFACTURE AND HAVE AN UNWRITTEN WARRENTY IF ANYONE IS HURT USING SAID ITEM. (don't ask me how I know this)

This was built all out of 1/2" Corian (I was an "authorized mfg), because it is anti-microbial and easy to clean... and NEVER needs painting.

Mirror is glued with mirror mastic to an 1/8" Cintra board for safety, and the Cintra absorbs shock vibration

Shelves need to be adjustable and removable

All in all, my recommendation is go get a cabinet from Home Depot. Screw it to the wall, and frame the
mirror with a lightweight frame that you sillycone to the mirror. A wide fillet will fill in the rounded corner gap.

 

[SusanG]

I am not a DIY gal, but I tackled this one. At home I had a builder grade medicine cabinet which had a builder grade looking oak frame. It took a bit of searching for the perfect size, but I replaced the oak with a lovely LJ frame. There were quite a few screws and I had to line it up carefully, but it was a one person job. Before I installed it, I sprayed it with a protectant. It has held up well. Just measure very carefully!