A medicine cabinet has several purposes: It provides a location to store medicines in a central location out of the reach of little ones; when placed over a lavatory it serves as the bathroom's primary mirror; and one with integral lighting can brighten a space, making it safer and more user-friendly.
Most homes have a medicine cabinet and most are recessed into a wall to prevent them from protruding. Older homes have cabinets that are constructed of wood; wood frame, shelving and door. In many cases a mirror is glued to the wood door. Older models have a single door and are about a foot by 2 feet.
The modern medicine cabinet has come a long way. One of the most obvious differences is size. Although the single-door version remains the most widely used, today's medicine cabinet can be two to four times larger.
The current basic medicine cabinet generally is constructed of a factory-finished metal case with a fully mirrored integral door. Some upper-end units contain everything but windshield wipers. Actually, wipers aren't needed with the model we have in mind; it has its own built-in mirror defogger. Other accessories include fully mirrored interiors (shelving included), integral electrical outlets, cosmetic-friendly lighting and telescoping magnifying mirrors that are ideal for shaving or applying cosmetics.
And a medicine cabinet isn't necessarily a rectangle anymore. One can choose from various shapes, sizes and finishes. Ovals, octagons, radius tops, beveled edges and decorative etching are features that add to appearance but, unfortunately, also to the cost. The price for a builder's basic medicine cabinet will start at about $35, while models that contain all of the "bells and whistles" can run in the thousands.
Replacing an existing cabinet can be a simple and rewarding project. The first step in the process is to remove the existing one. This usually can be done by removing screws or nails located at either side of the interior of the cabinet. A screwdriver, hammer and pry bar are the only tools necessary.
With the cabinet removed, the rough framing and unfinished edges of plaster or drywall will be exposed. Any shims or small strips of wood attached to the framing (used to take up space between the cabinet and the framing) should also be removed. Next, measure the height and width of the rough opening. This will determine the maximum size of the new cabinet that can be used in the existing opening. If the size of the desired cabinet is larger than the opening, it will need to be altered. This will increase the complexity of the installation. More on this later. For the simplest installation, the new cabinet should be slightly smaller than the opening. Install wood shims or plywood strips between the new cabinet and the framing, if needed. We suggest that the cabinet be attached using screws for easy adjustment in the opening. Use a level to ensure that the cabinet is plumb and level. A small bead of caulk at the joint between the cabinet frame and the wall will conceal any irregularities in the wall finish.
If the size of the new cabinet is smaller than the existing rough opening, there are a couple of options that can be used. The opening can be made smaller by installing lumber or strips of plywood. Add wallboard over the new framing and finish it to match the existing wall texture. If the gap between the new cabinet and the existing wall isn't too large (less than a couple of inches), it can be trimmed with a decorative wood molding.
If the size of the cabinet is larger than the existing opening, the opening likely can be altered. Existing wall studs can be cut and blocked to accommodate the new cabinet provided that the wall isn't load-bearing (one that supports a floor or roof above). If the wall is a load-bearing one, a structural header can possibly be installed to support the load. Prior to attempting this project, it is advisable to consult a structural engineer. Another complication related to increasing the size of an opening for a medicine cabinet is the need to alter or relocate existing plumbing, electrical or mechanical impediments that might be concealed within the wall.
In either case, it is highly probable that some framing, wallboard and painting will be needed to get a professional result. If the prospect of extensive construction work isn't appealing, there are alternatives. Many medicine cabinets are designed to be surface-mounted rather than recessed into the wall. The advantage is that no framing work is required; the disadvantage is its protrusion from the wall. This isn't necessarily a problem if the cabinet is installed over a vanity.
Another alternative is to install a system in which the cabinets, mirrors and tracks are separate components. The cabinets are installed between existing wall studs. The tracks are attached to the wall, and one or more sliding mirrored doors rest in the tracks. In many cases this configuration can be made to look like a wall-to-wall mirror over a vanity cabinet. The only difference is that instead of a fixed mirror, there is handy storage space hidden behind the sliding mirrors.
