Used to think Blum soft-close was worth the hype, now I'm over it

I installed Blum soft-close hinges on every job for like 5 years straight. Then I did a kitchen in Austin where the client wanted standard close and I realized I was way overthinking the whole thing. Those hinges add $3-4 per hinge and honestly most people don't even notice the difference unless you point it out. Anyone else ditch soft-close and go back to basics?

3 comments

3 Comments

derekjenkins20d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, are you telling me I've been installing these things for like a decade and now I gotta admit my elderly cat could probably do a better kitchen install than me? Honestly that Austin job sounds freeing, I might try it next time just to see if I can finally slam a cabinet shut without feeling like I'm hurting its feelings. My last Blum hinge started making this sad little wheeze noise and I just let it sit there dying for 6 months before I swapped it out.

fiona_young20d ago

Honestly the thing nobody talks about is how Blum soft-close changes the way you use your kitchen - you stop being able to slam a cabinet shut when your hands are full, and that tiny delay actually adds up over a thousand opens a day.

thomasshah20d ago

Ha the real question is are you sure it was the Blum hinges or just that soft close in general gets old? I had a guy tell me he actually prefers the satisfying clunk of a solid cabinet closing. He said soft close feels like the door is dying slowly. I think he was half joking but I get his point. Plus those hinges fail way too often after a few years the dampers leak and you get a door that just floats there like a ghost. Suddenly you are replacing $30 worth of hinges on one cabinet.