How to Install Kitchen Cabinets
Typically the installation of kitchen cabinets should be handled by a professional finish carpenter. If you are an adventurous homeowner that likes to tackle weekend projects, here are a few tips which may help you with an average kitchen renovation project. Learn how to install kitchen cabinets like the pros!!
Tools we use for the job:
- Working Design (floor plan and elevations)
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Level (2′ and a 4′ minimum)
- Hammer
- Jigsaw
- Table saw & miter saw (if you have lots of cuts)
- Few clamps
- Stud finder
Types of Cabinets
There are two different kinds of cabinets which you will be installing. The base cabinets which will rest on the floor and hold the sink, cook top and the counter top. Then there are the wall cabinets, which typically come with adjustable shelving and are used for general storage. Normally with stock cabinetry the base cabinets are 24″ deep 34.5″ high. The wall cabinets very from 30, 36, 42 inches height in most cases, and 12″ deep. The widths of the standard cabinets will very in 3′ increments normally starting at 9″ wide. With that in mind make sure to plan your space accordingly so that you fill in all the available areas and have minimal fillers.
Preliminary Preparation
Before starting the kitchen cabinet installation. It always help to clean the kitchen of any obstructions and debris which will get in the way when you start the installation process. Remove all the old cabinets and free up all the walls which the new cabinets will go on. It will help to check the floor for high spots. Once you have that measure up the wall 34.5″, the height of your base cabinets and 54″ the bottom of your wall cabinets. Here’s a tip which will help out in the process. Snap a level chalk line at these elevations, this will make the installation faster, in the long run. Mark all the studs using your stud finder and a pencil.
With your floor plan and elevations in hand lets get started with installing your new kitchen cabinets. Whether you start with the base or upper cabinets will be a personal choice. I prefer starting with the base cabinets, as I use them for support when I am ready for the wall cabinets.
Installing Base Kitchen Cabinets
This is how go about installing kitchen cabinets:
- I always being with the corner units (lazy susan, or a blind corner cabinets). If the floor is not level make sure to shim the cabinets. The chalk line we snapped using the high point of the floor will let us know exactly where our cabinet needs to be for a perfect kitchen cabinet installation.
- Always check that your cabinet is Level and plumb. If your first cabinet is not installed properly you are doomed for failure. Take extra caution to insure that you start of well.
- Check the back of the cabinet and see if the wall has any bow, if so also add shims as needed.
- Once the cabinet is shimmed level and plumb, you are ready to secure it to the studs using a #8 – 10 screw. ( Make sure to use a long enough screw where you penetrate the stud at least 3/4″)
- Next butt the second base cabinet to the first. Use a clamp to hold the two units together and join them with the appropriate size screw. Level and plumb that cabinet as necessary and fasten to the studs as we did with the first.
Thing to keep in mind are:
- Allow enough space for your appliances.
- 24″ for a Dishwasher
- 30″ for the stove
- 30-36″ for the refrigerator. (check all appliance measurements at planing stage)
- In many cases stock cabinets will not provide an exact length needed. When this happens use filler strips to fill gaps. These will need to be cut using a jigsaw or a table saw (use caution when cutting with either machine)
Installing Wall Kitchen Cabinets
We are now half way done with our kitchen install. All the base cabinets have been installed and are securely fastened to the studs. Installing our wall cabinet will be a breeze, since we planed properly and know where the studs are and have our elevations determined from the being.
- Check the measurement from the top of our base cabinet to the chalk line representing the bottom of our wall cabinet. You should have 19 1/2″. Cut two or three 2 x 4 to this measurement. We will use them as support for our wall cabinets.
- Start of at the same corner you did your base cabinets.
- Check the walls for and bows and shim the cabinet as needed. It is vary important that our cabinets be plumb and level, or the end product will be a disaster.
- Rest the first cabinet on supports we cut earlier, IF you installed the base cabinets properly the wall cabinets will automatically be parallel and level.
- Shim the cabinet as needed and secure it to the studs in the wall as we did the base units.
- Butt the next cabinet up to the first and continue the installation.
You now have the basic knowledge needed to install your kitchen cabinets. Be sure to use the proper screws and fasten the cabinet well to the studs. The last thing anyone needs is for a cabinet to fall of the wall do to improper installation. If you are in the South Florida region and need assistance with your kitchen remodel feel free to give us a call. Alliance Cabinets & Millwork prides it self in helping our local homeowner make the dream a reality. Whether its a kitchen renovation or a bathroom remodel, we are here to help in any way possible.
Tags: custom cabinetry, Home Remodeling from Alliance Cabinets & Millwork, Kitchen Cabinets from Alliance Cabinets & Millwork, Kitchen Renovation Tips from Alliance Cabinets & Millwork
