Television remote controls use infrared (IR) light to send signals to TVs and cable or satellite boxes. This allows you to change channels, adjust volume, and access other functions from across the room. But what happens when your equipment is hidden inside a cabinet behind closed doors? Will the remote still be able to communicate with the devices?

The short answer is maybe. IR remotes rely on line-of-sight to transmit signals. Cabinets and closed doors can potentially block or interfere with the signal, but remotes can often still work depending on the material and construction of the cabinet. With some extra considerations and the right setup, you can successfully use your remote through cabinet doors in most cases.

How IR Remotes Work

First, it helps to understand the basics of how infrared remotes function. Here’s a quick overview:

• IR remotes have LEDs that emit modulated pulses of infrared light. This light is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by IR receivers.
• When you press a button, the remote sends an encoded signal unique to that function. This pulses the IR LED on and off in a certain pattern.
• The IR receiver on the device detects this modulated light and decodes the signal to execute the command.
• IR technology requires line-of-sight. The signals reflect off surfaces but cannot bend around objects or penetrate opaque materials.
• IR has a limited range. It can typically travel 30-40 feet but degrades with distance and angle. Remotes must point relatively straight at the sensor.

Knowing these characteristics of infrared technology will help you troubleshoot any issues using a remote through cabinet doors.

Will Remotes Work Through Cabinet Doors?

Whether an IR remote will work reliably through a cabinet depends on a few key factors:

Material and Density

• Thin or low-density cabinet doors allow more IR light to pass through. Thicker, more dense materials block more signals.
• Wood is generally IR permeable, especially thinner plywood or particle board doors. Solid wood or metal cabinets are tougher to transmit through.
• Glass cabinet fronts work well as glass doesn’t impede most IR frequencies. Frosted or tinted glass may diffuse the signal slightly.
• Any material blocks some IR so thicker doors and more layers will degrade the transmission further. Space and fewer obstructions help.

Door Construction

• Solid cabinet doors are opaque so IR cannot penetrate. Some signal may creep around the edges.
• Doors with glass panes allow remotes to be used through the open sections. Frosted or decorative glass can work but will weaken the signal.
• Louvered or slatted doors have gaps that IR can pass through depending on the angle and how openly slatted they are. Denser slats block more signal.
• Similarly, doors with ventilation slits or grilles allow some IR transmission directly through the openings. Smaller holes or mesh diffuses the beam more.

Interior Environment

• A clear line of sight maximizes signal reception. Multiple reflections off internal surfaces can introduce interference.
• Objects stored in the cabinet block signal paths, especially metal, liquid or electronic items. Remove clutter between the remote and equipment.
• The distance and angle through the cabinet affects IR dispersion. Remotes operate best within 15-30 feet and ~30 degree angles of the sensor.

Tips for Using Remotes Through Cabinets

If you want to control equipment stashed behind cabinet doors, consider these tips to ensure your remotes work properly:

Leave Cabinets Open

Keep the doors open when operating devices via remote for a perfectly clear line-of-sight. Close them when done to conceal the components. This guarantees the strongest signal.

Position Components Strategically

Place equipment near cabinet edges or open sections of doors when possible. This minimizes obstructions between the remote and sensor. Face IR receiver windows toward the cabinet exterior.

Add Repeaters or Extenders

IR repeaters amplify and distribute signals to compensate for cabinet barriers. They feature emitters placed outside and receivers inside connected by cables. Some IR extenders wirelessly retransmit signals.

Upgrade Remote Frequency

Some universal remotes and newer devices use RF (radio frequency) instead of IR to penetrate objects. RF passes through materials with less degradation. But it may require replacing existing equipment.

Use IR-Friendly Materials

When building cabinets or replacing doors, choose thinner, lower-density materials that more readily allow IR transmission. Or incorporate grill, louver or glass segments into the doors.

Reflect Signals Into Cabinets

Strategically place mirror strips or reflective tape on cabinet interiors to bounce IR beams through openings and around corners to equipment sensors.

With the right setup, infrared remotes can effectively beam signals through most cabinet doors and operate components concealed inside. Evaluate your cabinet construction and environment to determine if any adjustments are needed to enable remote control of your enclosed home theater or smart home devices.

Common Questions About Remote Use Through Cabinets

Many homeowners have additional questions about using TV and equipment remotes through cabinet doors. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Can infrared pass through solid wood?

Solid wood blocks a large portion of infrared light. Thinner panels allow some signal transmission straight through. But the natural grain and pores in solid wood also permit IR to penetrate partially at certain angles and positions. Reflections boost this further. So solid wood doors often still allow remotes to function within a limited range.

Do infrared remotes work through frosted glass?

Frosted and etched glass diffuses infrared beams more than clear glass. But signal can still penetrate direct sections of frosted glass cabinet doors. The roughness scatters the light slightly, decreasing range and reception. But remotes typically still work through frosted glass, especially thinner panes. Heavy textured glass blocks more IR.

Can remote signals go through plywood?

Plywood consists of thin wood veneers glued together. The layers diffuse and weaken IR beams somewhat. But the overall low density and thickness of plywood allows most of the signal to pass directly through doors. Plywood is one of the more IR-permeable cabinet door materials, generally allowing remotes to be used successfully.

Do infrared remotes work behind cabinet doors?

When closed, cabinet doors block some line-of-sight IR signals due to their density and thickness. But remotes typically still work behind most cabinet doors when positioned properly. The gaps around the door, thin door materials, and reflections off interior surfaces allow the signals to reach components inside the cabinet.

Can remotes penetrate metal cabinets?

Metal is highly IR-reflective which prevents passage through thick steel and aluminum doors. But metal cabinet systems often incorporate ventilation slots, grilles or mesh panels. IR signals can penetrate cabinets through these openings at the right angles, allowing remotes to control equipment.

How do you get a remote signal through solid cabinet doors?

For entirely solid doors, adding IR-transparent windows provides openings for remotes. Or use a thin, low-density material like undecorated frosted glass for the door. Hanging a reflective mirror inside the cabinet also helps bounce signals around obstructions. An IR repeater system reliably distributes signals throughout the enclosed cabinet space as well.

Do wireless RF remotes go through walls and cabinets?

RF remotes operate at longer wavelengths capable of penetrating many materials. While not able to transmit through metal or thick concrete, RF remotes can pass through interior walls, wood, and cabinets much better than infrared systems. RF enables remote use without strict line-of-sight requirements.

Can Alexa work inside a cabinet?

Yes, Alexa voice assistants like the Amazon Echo Dot can function inside cabinets to a degree. The Alexa device receives commands via WiFi instead of IR so closed doors don’t cause issues. The main limitations are muffled microphones picking up voices, speaker sound absorption, and wireless signal strength. But placing Alexa near the cabinet front mitigates most of these problems.

Do cabinet doors block WiFi signals?

WiFi radio signals can mostly pass through interior doors and cabinets. The signal strength decreases slightly but wood, plastic, and glass doors have only minor impacts on WiFi penetration. However, wire mesh, metal foil lining, or solid metal doors can interfere with wireless networking performance inside cabinets.

Hopefully this breakdown covers the key considerations around using infrared and RF remotes successfully through various cabinet materials. With the right combination of an IR-friendly enclosure and strategic remote positioning, you can hide your home theater equipment and smart home tech behind closed doors while maintaining full wireless control.

Using IR Repeater Systems to Extend Remote Signals

For reliable control of equipment concealed completely inside solid cabinets, an infrared repeater system may be required. IR repeaters boost and distribute remote control signals throughout an enclosed space. They ensure commands penetrate into the cabinet to operate devices, providing full IR functionality behind closed doors.

Here is an overview of how IR repeater systems work and how they can solve remote control issues with enclosed home theater components and smart home tech.

What Are IR Repeaters?

IR repeater systems feature:

• An emitter positioned outside the cabinet which picks up IR signals from remotes.
• One or more receivers placed inside the cabinet wired to the emitter.
• Low-voltage cabling connecting the emitter and receivers, run through a small hole drilled in the cabinet.

The emitter receives the signal from your handheld remote, amplifies it, and transmits it via the wiring to the receivers inside the cabinet. The receivers then broadcast the amplified IR signal to the various devices within the enclosed space.

Components of a typical IR repeater system. (Image Credit: Hometronix)

This allows remote commands to effectively penetrate solid cabinets by bypassing the dense materials. An unlimited number of components can be controlled by simply positioning multiple IR receivers around the interior, connected to a single exterior emitter.

Benefits of IR Repeaters

IR repeater systems offer several benefits for enhancing remote usage through cabinets:

• Transmit IR signals into solid enclosures where line-of-sight is impeded.
• Extend range for large cabinets or weak emitter remotes.
• Amplify signals to compensate for diffusion caused by frosted glass.
• Distribute commands to multiple devices with independent receiver modules.
• Eliminate interference caused by interior reflections.
• No need to replace existing IR-based remotes or equipment.
• Provide flexible, inexpensive IR extension capabilities.

For just a small investment, IR repeater kits can restore and improve remote control functionality to media centers, home theater cabinets, whole house AV racks, and other enclosed systems.

IR Repeater Setup Tips

Follow these guidelines for proper installation and configuration of an infrared repeater system in a cabinet:

• Position the emitter with line-of-sight to the remote usage location. Stick it directly on the cabinet exterior or place it on an adjacent wall.
• Mount receivers within the interior enclosure with the domed ends facing outwards in different directions to cover all device locations.
• Ensure unobstructed pathways exist from the receivers to the IR sensor windows on each component.
• Plug the power adapter into a nearby outlet. Run extra cabling lengths out of sight along trim or behind walls if needed.
• Connect an IR blaster right on the sensor if necessary to boost the signal to specific stubborn devices.
• Consider Ethernet-over-IR solutions for extending control between cabinets in separate rooms.
• Some WiFi IR bridges also work through cabinets to provide wireless repeater capabilities.

Careful interior receiver placement maximizes IR coverage for enclosed systems. (Image Credit: Home Technology Plus)

With optimized placement and connectivity, IR repeater kits reliably convey remote control signals into practically any enclosed cabinet space. Consult home theater installation experts in your area if you need assistance designing and integrating an infrared repeater system.

Troubleshooting Tricks

An infrared repeater system should work seamlessly behind closed doors once properly set up. But if issues arise, try these tips:

• Check for faulty or loose cabling between emitter and receiver modules.
• Verify the repeater kit is getting power from the adapter or USB port.
• Change angles or locations of receivers and emitter modules.
• Try an additional receiver positioned closer to problematic devices.
• Replace depleted batteries in handheld remotes. Weak IR output reduces range.
• Ensure remote lens is aimed squarely at emitter for maximum reception.
• Add an IR blaster directly over sensors on stubborn components.
• Limit objects obstructing line-of-sight between remotes, emitter, and interior receivers.

With minor adjustments, most IR repeater troubles can be remedied to restore seamless remote operation through the thickest cabinet doors. The systems provide reliable infraed extension for fully enclosed home entertainment and smart home installations.

Infrared Window Panels for Signal Transmission

Another solution for using remotes inside solid cabinet doors is to install IR-transparent window panels. These panels block visible light but pass infrared, providing discrete openings for signal transmission without ruining the clean, concealed aesthetic.

Here are some IR window options to consider for improving remote control through enclosing cabinetry:

Clear IR Window Film

• Thin IR-passable plastic film that sticks directly onto inside of cabinet doors
• Nearly invisible so does not affect style
• Lets ~90% of infrared light through for good remote reception
• Available in various tint levels or mirrored for one-way visibility

IR Acrylic Sheets

• Plexiglass or acrylic panels made specifically for IR transmission
• Mounts easily into routed cabinet door openings
• Tinted or two-way mirror options available with 85-95% IR permeability
• Comes in multiple sizes and thicknesses

IR Grilles

• Ventilation grilles made using an IR-friendly material
• Provides discreet pathways for IR beams amidst solid sections
• Can find plastic, acrylic, mesh, or perforated metal options
• Allows some airflow while maintaining desired aesthetics

Embossed Acrylic

• Acrylic sheet with embossed pattern that refracts IR signals
• Obscures interior view while permitting IR remotes
• Various texture densities control privacy level
• Easier to see texture limits discrete integration

Decorative IR Film

• Decorative etched window films that pass IR light
• Created for commercial two-way mirror uses
• Allows visibility from one side while concealing components
• Integrates well into home theater cabinetry

IR window film panels like this model from Channel Vision adhere directly onto cabinet doors.

Any of these IR window materials can be cleanly integrated into new or existing cabinet doors to open up a pathway for remote control signals. Consider visual aesthetics and signal permeability to select the optimal IR transparency method.

Combined with strategic interior placement and reflections, IR window panels provide a professional, unobtrusive solution for beaming infrared directly into home theater cabinets, AV racks, and other enclosed storage furniture.

Hide Electronics in Plain Sight with Two-Way Mirror Film

An innovative approach to allow remote usage through solid cabinet doors is applying two-way mirror film. This special film acts like a one-way window, reflecting light from one side while allowing viewing through from the other. Here is an overview of utilizing two-way mirror film for seamless IR integration:

How It Works

Two-way mirror film is a thin plastic sheet coated with microscopic metal particles. These particles have the following effects:

• Reflect ~50% of light striking one side of the film
• Permit ~50% transmission of light through the film from the other side

This creates a mirrored surface on one side while allowing see-through capability from the opposite side.

IR light exhibits similar properties, reflecting off the mirrored exterior surface but penetrating inside from remotes. This allows remote signals to pass through the film to concealed components inside cabinets.

Application Tips

Follow these guidelines for proper two-way mirror film installation and use for IR remotes:

• Clean cabinet doors thoroughly before application to maximize adhesion
• Carefully apply film to interior cabinet door surfaces to maintain the reflective effect outside
• Use flat film for large door expanses or shaped film segments around windows or openings
• Position interior components with IR receivers facing the mirrored cabinet side for best reception
• Keep space clutter-free and reflectors properly aimed to optimize IR pathways
• Add supplementary films or acrylic sheets for increased opacity if needed

With two-way mirror film applied, components blend seamlessly into cabinetry while IR passes through.

Proper application of quality two-way mirror film provides both discreet technological concealment and seamless remote control functionality.

Considerations

Keep these factors in mind when utilizing two-way mirror film for IR transmission:

• Viewing angle affects transparency level – straight on maximizes IR passage
• Avoid inexpensive low-grade films that have reduced IR permeability or adhesion
• Prefer films designed specifically for IR windows rather than decor
• Cabinets require interior lighting for the film to appear mirrored from outside
• Works best on thinner, smoother cabinet doors for discreet integration
• Scratches or bubbles in application will be more visible from mirrored side

With attention to detail during installation and an understanding of its capabilities, high-performance two-way mirror film can be an ideal choice for IR integration in modern home cabinets and closets.

Choosing Cabinet Hardware that Permits IR Transmission

Beyond cabinet doors and windows, the various handles, hinges, and hardware components also affect remote control functionality. Certain types of hardware block less infrared and are preferred for IR-accessible designs.

Here are some equipment cabinet hardware options that help maximize seamless remote usage:

Hinges

• Wide throw hinges open doors wider to