Faktum vs Metod Kitchens: Drilling Pattern Differences & Matching Replacement Hinges (IKEA Compatible)

May 9, 2026

The main difference between the Faktum and Metod kitchen systems lies in the drilling pattern of the cabinet carcasses. Whilst the newer Metod system is based on the standardised System 32 with a vertical hole spacing of 32 mm and a 37 mm edge distance, the older Faktum system deviates in the positioning of the cruciform mounting plates. Compatible replacement hinges with a standard 35 mm cup diameter are available for both systems.

What is the technical difference between Faktum and Metod?

When replacing fittings in existing kitchen carcasses, understanding the underlying drilling grid is crucial. The Faktum system, produced until around 2014, uses a specific drilling pattern for fixing hinge mounting plates to the cabinet interior. The successor Metod system, by contrast, was consistently switched to the standard System 32 established throughout the furniture industry.

This standardised grid acts like the millimetre-precise coordinate system of a CNC router – every fitting, from hinges to drawer runners, has its clearly defined position spaced 32 mm apart. For installers, this change means that original Faktum hinges do not readily fit into Metod carcasses and vice versa, as the mounting plate hole heights differ.

Drilling patterns and dimensions in detail

Regardless of the cabinet carcass system, the machining on the cabinet door front generally remains identical. The concealed cup hinge typically requires a cup hole with a diameter of 35 mm and a depth of approximately 11.5 mm to 13 mm.

The differences appear on the side panel of the cabinet carcass:

Metod (System 32): The distance of the drill holes from the front edge is exactly 37 mm. The vertical spacing between fixing holes for the mounting plate is 32 mm.
Faktum: The edge distance is also frequently 37 mm, but the vertical positioning of the hole rows deviates from the standard.

When installing replacement parts for the older Faktum system, new holes often need to be drilled. In this case, chipboard screws (typically with a PZ or TX drive and a diameter of 3.5 mm or 4 mm) are used if the existing 5 mm holes for Euro screws do not align with the new mounting plate. An accurate drilling template ensures that the angle and edge distance are maintained precisely when drilling new pilot holes.

Matching replacement hinges and compatibility

For repairing or upgrading either kitchen generation, professionals rely on standard cup hinges / cabinet hinges. The crucial factor when choosing hinges is the type of overlay:

Full overlay: The door completely covers the front edge of the cabinet side panel. This is standard for standalone cabinets.
Half overlay: Two doors share a single central cabinet side panel (dual overlay).
Inset: The door sits flush inside the cabinet carcass side panels.

For standard kitchen cabinet doors, an opening angle of 110° is usually selected. Matching cup hinges / cabinet hinges 110 degrees cover day-to-day requirements. For cabinets with internal pull-outs (such as pantry larder units), a wider opening angle is required so the drawer boxes do not scrape against the door when pulled out. In these instances, cup hinges / cabinet hinges 155 degrees are used.

To enhance the ease of use of older kitchens, doors can be upgraded with modern damping mechanisms. Compatible cup hinges / cabinet hinges with soft close hydraulically cushion the closing motion and prevent doors from slamming shut.

Drawers and pull-outs in Faktum and Metod

In addition to the hinges, drawer runners also differ between the systems. Faktum used different drawer side systems and runner lengths compared to Metod. When kitchen cabinet pull-outs need replacing, the clear internal carcass depth is the decisive dimension. Typical runner lengths for kitchen base units range from 450 mm - 500 mm.

When upgrading to new drawer systems, fitting full extension runners is highly recommended. Unlike partial extension versions, full extension drawer runners allow the drawer to pull out 100% from the cabinet carcass, providing unimpeded access to all contents right up to the back panel. Here too, if the drilling pattern of the old Faktum cabinet does not match the fixing points of the new cabinet runner, the runners must be remeasured and secured using wood screws (Ø 3.5 mm or 4 mm).