Installing kitchen cabinets on a wall involves careful planning, precise measurements, and secure mounting to the wall studs.
Proper installation ensures your cabinets are stable, level, and can support the weight of their contents over time. The process typically involves preparing the wall, locating mounting points, lifting and securing the cabinets, and making final adjustments.
Preparing for Cabinet Installation
Before you begin, gather necessary tools and ensure the wall is ready.
- Clear the Space: Remove any existing cabinets, trim, or wall coverings.
- Verify Wall Condition: Ensure the wall is structurally sound and free of major imperfections.
- Locate Studs: Use a stud finder to mark the location of wall studs along where the cabinets will be installed. Attaching your cabinets into the studs is crucial for security.
- Draw Layout Lines: Use a level and tape measure to mark the cabinet layout on the wall, including the horizontal line for the bottom of the upper cabinets (or the top of the base cabinets).
Hanging Upper Kitchen Cabinets
Upper cabinets require support during installation.
- Install a Ledger Board: Attach a temporary level 1x4 or 1x6 board to the wall studs along your marked bottom line. This board will support the cabinets while you secure them.
- Position and Lift: Starting with a corner cabinet or the first cabinet on your layout, lift it into place and rest it on the ledger board. You may use lifting aids or have a helper.
- Secure to Studs: Using appropriate cabinet screws, drive them through the cabinet's back mounting rail and into the marked wall studs.
- Level and Plumb: Use shims behind the cabinet where needed to ensure it is level and plumb against the wall before fully tightening the screws.
- Install Subsequent Cabinets: Lift and position the next cabinet, resting it on the ledger board. Secure it to the wall studs and also join it to the previously installed cabinet using cabinet connecting screws through the face frames or sides.
- Continue Along the Wall: As shown in some installation methods, you can hang the rest of your uppers along the wall, ensuring each is secured into the studs and joined to its neighbor.
- Remove Ledger Board: Once all upper cabinets are securely mounted to the studs, remove the temporary ledger board.
Note: Some installation systems may use mounting brackets attached to the wall first, which the cabinets then hang onto. You can leave these brackets or remove them after you have attached your cabinets into the studs.
Installing Base Kitchen Cabinets
Base cabinets sit on the floor and are secured to the wall and often to each other.
- Mark Layout: Draw the layout lines on the wall and floor, marking stud locations.
- Position First Cabinet: Place the first cabinet (often a corner or end cabinet) in position according to your layout.
- Level and Shim: Use a level to ensure the cabinet is level front-to-back and side-to-side. Use shims underneath or behind the cabinet as needed.
- Secure to Studs: Drive cabinet screws through the cabinet's back mounting rail into the wall studs.
- Install Subsequent Cabinets: Place the next cabinet, level it, and secure it to the wall studs. Join it to the previously installed cabinet by screwing through the face frames or cabinet sides.
- Continue: Work your way along the wall, leveling, shimming, and securing each cabinet to the studs and its neighbor.
Final Steps
- Connect Cabinets: Ensure all cabinets are securely joined together.
- Install Trim: Attach kick plates, molding, or other trim pieces.
- Check Doors and Drawers: Ensure all doors and drawers operate smoothly.
By following these steps and ensuring each cabinet is firmly anchored into the wall studs, you can achieve a secure and lasting installation.
