Cabinet Install

If you don't have enough storage space in your kitchen, or you're just looking for a change in its appearance, you may have been thinking about doing a cabinet install. Most people are surprised to learn that kitchen cabinet installation is not as difficult as it seems, and if you have a few carpentry skills, you can perform a cabinet install yourself. Since cabinet installation is a fairly large project, you'll need to take the time to plan things properly and assemble the proper tools to ensure a successful cabinet install.

Dont File BK-Theres Another Way Out

Should You Do It Yourself?
When you're planning a cabinet install, the first thing you'll have to decide is whether to hire someone to install them, or do it yourself. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. If you hire a professional for your cabinet install, it will cost you more money, but you'll be assured of professional results. If you do it yourself, you could save quite a bit of money on the project, but you could end up with less than good looking cabinets. You should have some knowledge of basic carpentry skills if you plan to undertake a cabinet install yourself.

Another option is to build the cabinet boxes yourself, and then hire a professional installer or finish carpenter to mount and adjust the doors and take care of any trim work. You will save money on labor, and still end up with new cabinets that work properly and look great in your kitchen.

Planning Your Cabinet Install
Planning is perhaps the most important stage of kitchen cabinet installation. You will need to know exactly how many cabinets you are going to need, their exact dimensions - including height, width, and depth - and where you are going to place them in your kitchen. If you already have existing cabinets in your kitchen and are planning to replace them, that is a different story and you will most likely need to hire a professional to help you with the project.

When adding cabinets, you will need to plan in advance where they will go and how they will be mounted. There are many different types of cabinets to choose from. One good way to plan your cabinet install is to browse pictures of kitchens in home magazines or online, to get an idea of cabinet arrangements that work well. Try to look at sample kitchens that are approximately the same dimensions as yours for the best ideas. If you have building experience, you may also look at kitchen blueprints for ideas about your cabinet install.

Regarding the different types of cabinets, you may be interested in floor or wall-mounted cabinets, or a combination of both. Wall-mounted cabinets are simply cabinets mounted on the walls, usually at a height that leaves sufficient counter space beneath them. Floor cabinets may also be attached to the walls, or they may be free-standing units. Some island counters make use of floor cabinets for additional storage space. In most cases, floor cabinets provide both kitchen storage and counter space, and they are easier to install than wall-mounted cabinets. You may choose one or the other, or both, for your cabinet install.

Selecting Cabinets
When it comes to choosing cabinets for your cabinet install, you have a lot of options available. The majority of kitchen cabinets are made of wood, while some may be light metal, or even polished wood with glass fronts. Wood cabinets are easiest to work with for a cabinet install, especially for wall-mounted cabinets. Light metal and glass-fronted cabinet installs require more support for the cabinets, and more care taken with the installation.

However, there are many different types of wood cabinets available, so you can choose the type and style that best suits your kitchen. You can find wood grain finish cabinets such as oak, alder, walnut, and cherry with different colors of stain, ranging from a clear coat to a dark, rich stain. You may also be interested in plain, unfinished wood cabinets that can be painted as part of your cabinet install to match your kitchen color scheme.

Where can you find cabinets for your kitchen cabinet install? If you are a hands-on type of buyer, your local home improvement store is likely to have a wide selection of cabinets on display, along with the option to order custom cabinets suited to your specifications. You can also find a number of high quality kitchen cabinet dealers on the Internet. Shopping online for your cabinet install could save you some money, and you will also enjoy the convenience of having your new cabinets shipped directly to your home.

The Importance of Measuring
The major key to a successful cabinet install is ensuring that all of your cabinets are level and plumb. Level, of course, means horizontally straight. Plumb is a building term that means vertically level, or straight. Be sure to measure the space you want to use for your cabinet install at least twice, and more than twice if you end up with different measurements. You will also have to make sure to carefully mark the installation area during the cabinet install, and mount your cabinets exactly square with the wall and/or floor.

Tools You'll Need
Just as important as measuring, you will need to ensure you have the proper tools for your cabinet install. Other than the actual cabinets, at the least you will need a hammer, a power drill, a stud finder, and a good level, whether it is a manual or laser level. These tools are the minimum if you plan a cabinet install with floor cabinets only. For wall-mounted cabinets, you will also need either a very good friend or partner who will hold the cabinets up for you while you attach them, or special tools called cabinet jacks. These are similar to a jack you might use to hold up your car while you change your tire, only not quite as powerful. Cabinet jacks can be purchased through nearly any home improvement dealer.

You will also need some materials, such as nails and screws. For wall-mounted cabinets, you may need metal braces, and you will need either 1x2 or 1x3 lumber, which attaches to the wall and supports some of the cabinets' weight. If your cabinets are particularly heavy, you would be better off using 1x3 wood for your cabinet install.

Finally, if you have minimal experience with carpentry and still plan to do the cabinet install yourself, you should have detailed installation instructions. You can find many informative websites with step-by-step cabinet install directions, or you can purchase (or borrow) a how-to book. Many general home repair books include sections on kitchen cabinet installation, and there are also a few that specifically deal with kitchens.

Preparing the Area
Before you rush to get your new cabinets into place, you will need to take the time to prepare the area. One important thing to consider is the amount of time you will need to complete the cabinet install. If you are not removing old cabinets in order to install new ones, the entire project may be completed in a weekend. You may require more time if you have to remove existing cabinets first. Also, plan to spend more time on wall-mounted cabinets than on floor cabinets.

Many people choose to repaint the kitchen walls and/or refinish the kitchen floor while performing a cabinet install, since you will need to have everything out of the way, anyway. The first step in preparation is to move all furniture and major appliances out of the way, with the exception of gas ranges. Unless you are a professional repairperson, you should not attempt to disconnect and move a gas range. Electric ranges and refrigerators should be temporarily relocated. If you are unable to remove the appliances from the room, group them in the middle of the kitchen and protect them with drop cloths.

If you are not planning to repaint or re-floor your kitchen during your cabinet install, be sure to thoroughly clean your walls before beginning the kitchen cabinet installation. It is a good idea to protect the floors with drop cloths during the work, particularly if they are hardwood or linoleum.

The Installation
Now, you are ready to begin your cabinet install. If you are installing wall-mounted cabinets, be sure to install them first to avoid having to work over your floor cabinets. Also, have your detailed installation instructions ready to follow as you tackle your cabinet install.

Here are the basic steps for a successful cabinet install. First, using a straight edge and a good level, mark a line on the wall where the lower edge of the cabinet will be. Make sure that you check this line at least twice to ensure it is level, at the correct height from the floor, and the right length. This is where you will mount your 1x2 or 1x3 brace for your cabinets. Once you have made your line, use a stud locator to find the wall studs and mark them with small X's or circles. You should also draw a straight line up and down along the center of the stud to ensure that your cabinets will be plumb. Note that the 1x3 brace is a temporary measure to keep your wall-mounted cabinets supported while you attach them, and will be removed after installation.

If you are installing a corner cabinet, mount it first by drilling pilot holes into the previously located wall studs behind the cabinet. Be sure to use screws that will penetrate the studs by at least 1-1/2", and have a partner to help you hold the cabinet in place while you drill. After each step of the cabinet install, check your cabinets for plumb and level before continuing. Install successive wall cabinets after the corner in a similar fashion, and secure each cabinet to its neighbor with a clamp.

Once you have installed the wall-mounted cabinets, you can begin your floor cabinets starting with either the corner or end base cabinet. Install floor cabinets in similar fashion, one at a time, ensuring there are enough screws to keep the cabinets firmly in place. Remember to check each cabinet for plumb and level during your cabinet install before moving on to the next. Also, refer frequently to your detailed instructions.

Troubleshooting
Before you complete your cabinet install with the final touches, be sure to inspect your installed cabinets for possible problems. It is best to repair crooked or gapped cabinets before you complete your cabinet install project. One common problem may be a gap between the cabinet door and the frame. This may be caused by very dry conditions, in which case you should attempt to adjust the humidity in your kitchen. It may also be caused by misaligned hinges, so try to adjust them to repair the problem.

If the doors do not line up at the top or bottom, your cabinets may be crooked. In this case, you can loosen the screws you used during the cabinet install and either readjust the cabinets or use shims to tighten them in place. Finally, if you have installed cabinets with drawers, and the drawer face does not line flush with the cabinet walls, this problem can be solved by pulling the drawer completely from the track and re-inserting it.

Finishing Touches
Congratulations, you have successfully completed your kitchen cabinet installation! Now, all that is left are the finishing touches. This may include handles, fasteners, trim, or decoration for your new kitchen cabinets.

In most cases, cabinet handles are easy to install. Generally, wood screws inserted from the outside of the cabinets are all you need to place your handles. You may have purchased cabinets with handles already attached, in which case you will not need to perform this step. If you have purchased separate or custom cabinet handles for your cabinet install, you will need to install them yourself.

When installing cabinet trim, once again, it is important to measure, measure, and measure again. As long as you are careful and diligent in your project, you can install trim and even apply stencils, sponged paint finishes, or other designs at the end of your cabinet install to make your kitchen a truly unique and attractive place.


Local Articles
Home Services
Home