Retrofitting Concealed Hinges for IKEA Faktum
A suitable replacement hinge for the older IKEA Faktum kitchen system generally requires a 35 mm cup hole and a mounting plate compatible with the industry-standard System 32.
Replacement Parts for Older Kitchen Systems
The Faktum kitchen system was fitted for many years before being superseded by newer series. Whilst the carcasses made of melamine-coated chipboard often remain sound for decades, the moving fittings are subject to natural mechanical wear and tear. When doors sag, scrape, or no longer close flush, replacing the hinges is the most practical technical solution.
As original parts are often no longer in regular production, fitters and carpenters rely on standardised fittings. A concealed hinge is a standardised component. As long as the primary dimensions and hole drill spacings match, modern hinges can be used without issue as an exact-fit alternative for IKEA Faktum.
Key Technical Compatibility Checks
To ensure that a new hinge is suitable for IKEA Faktum, three core technical parameters must be checked on the existing carcass and the cabinet front.
1. The Cup Diameter
The hinge is inserted into a pre-drilled recess in the cabinet door. This cup has a diameter of 35 mm on almost all standard doors in the Faktum range. Smaller specialised versions with 26 mm are generally not found here. The drilling depth is usually around 11.5 mm to 12 mm.
2. The Cup Drilling Pattern
Alongside the large 35 mm hole, there are two smaller pilot holes for the fixing screws. The distance between these two screws (the drilling pattern) is standardly often 45 mm or 52 mm. If the new hinge differs here, the screws can be driven into the wood with a slight offset, as the hinge cup itself typically covers the old holes.
3. The Cruciform Mounting Plate and System 32
The counterpart to the hinge sits on the inside of the cabinet. This is where System 32 comes into play. The line drillings in the cabinet have an exact spacing of 32 mm from one another. The distance from the front edge of the carcass to the centre of the first hole is standardly 37 mm. The grid system works just like the thread of a screw – if the pitch is not exact, the system will not engage. A cruciform mounting plate designed for System 32 can therefore be screwed directly into the existing 5 mm drill holes of the Faktum carcass.
Crank Types: Selecting the Correct Concealed Hinge
The geometry of the hinge determines how the door rests on the carcass when closed. When selecting an alternative for IKEA Faktum, the correct crank type must be chosen.
- Full overlay: This is the most common variant. When the cabinet is closed, the door covers almost the entire front edge of the carcass side panel, leaving only a minimal gap to the adjacent cabinet.
- Half overlay: This variant is required when two doors are mounted on a single shared centre partition. The crank angle of the hinge ensures that each door covers only half of the partition edge.
- Inset: The door sits flush with the outer edges of the carcass and rests between the side panels. This is less common in Faktum kitchens, but relevant for custom modifications.
The opening angle for standard kitchen cabinets is typically 110°. For corner cabinets or units with internal pull-outs, wide-angle hinges with 155° or 165° are often required.
Matching Fittings and Functional Upgrades
Refurbishing a kitchen presents an opportunity to upgrade the mechanical fittings. Older Faktum kitchens were often equipped with basic hinges without soft-close damping. Modern replacement parts offer an integrated damping unit.
A soft-close mechanism slows down the door over the final centimetres and pulls it shut gently and silently. A key technical distinction: a damper is the exact opposite of a tip-on (push-to-open) system. Whilst soft-close cushions the closing motion, tip-on pushes the handleless door open. Combining both mechanisms in a single hinge is not technically possible.
The principle of standardised fittings is not limited to kitchens. The same compatibility rules apply to living room furniture. Anyone fitting new fronts to a sideboard for TV or a deep lowboard for TV uses identical concealed hinges. These fittings are also used on large, heavy furniture fronts, such as those found on a 2 person wardrobe – though in higher quantities of four to five hinges per door to support the weight structurally.
When carrying out a comprehensive kitchen upgrade, components beyond hinges are frequently replaced. Around the sink area, a dish drying rack for wall unit is often retrofitted. For top cabinets with upward-opening flaps, dedicated gas struts for heavy flaps are used instead of concealed hinges. The force of these struts is measured in Newtons (N) and must be matched precisely to the weight of the flap. If the kitchen run extends into an open-plan living or work space, functional details such as a desk cable tidy grommet round off the technical installation.
Installation and Retrofitting: Step-by-Step
Replacing compatible hinges is straightforward for experienced DIYers or fitters.
Tools Required
- Cordless drill/driver
- Screwdriver with PZ drive (Pozidriv, size 2)
- Folding rule or tape measure
- 5 mm wood drill bit if required (should Euro screws need to be relocated)
1. Removing Old Fittings
Loosen the fixing screw that connects the hinge arm to the mounting plate. Remove the door. Then unscrew the old mounting plates from the carcass and the hinge cups from the door.
2. Installing the Mounting Plate
Fasten the new cruciform mounting plate inside the carcass. When using fittings compatible with IKEA Faktum that adhere to System 32, you can use the existing 5 mm holes in the carcass. Fasten them using Euro screws.
3. Fitting the Concealed Hinge
Insert the 35 mm cup of the new hinge into the recess in the door. Align the hinge at an exact 90-degree angle to the door edge and secure it with suitable chipboard screws (typically 3.5 x 15 mm or 4 x 16 mm).
4. Hanging and Adjusting the Door
Clip or slide the hinge onto the mounting plate in the carcass and secure it. Modern concealed hinges feature 3D adjustment. Using the PZ screwdriver, you can now fine-tune the height, depth, and lateral overlay down to the millimetre until the door hangs perfectly flush.
Compatibility FAQ
Can I retrofit soft-close hinges to my Faktum kitchen? Yes. As long as the new hinge uses a 35 mm cup hole and the mounting plate fits the 32 mm grid of the carcass, you can easily upgrade to models with integrated soft-close technology.
What should I do if the screw holes in the carcass are stripped? If the 5 mm holes for the mounting plate Euro screws have widened through wear, you can insert a threaded insert (Rampa insert) or fill the holes with wood filler and re-drill. Alternatively, the mounting plate can be shifted 32 mm up or down into the next available row of holes.
Do all hinges on a single door need to be replaced at the same time? Yes, this is essential. Different hinges (especially from different manufacturers or different production eras) have slightly different pivot points and leverage paths. Mixing them causes the door to bind when opening, which can tear the fittings out of the cabinet.
How do I determine whether I need a full overlay or half overlay hinge? With the door closed, measure how much of the front edge of the carcass side panel remains visible. If the door covers almost the entire edge (approx. 15 mm to 17 mm overlay), you require a full overlay hinge. If two doors share a central partition and each covers only about half (approx. 7 mm to 9 mm overlay), a half overlay hinge is required.