Installing Kitchen Cabinets

Installing Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinetry is generally considered finish carpentry work.  There is little room for error, especially since many cabinets are at eye level, where mistakes are particularly noticeable.

Nevertheless, cabinet installation is well within the abilities of most careful people with some skill.  In addition to knowing some of the how-to, anyone trying to install cabinets must be able to exercise patience.  (This is not a job to do at 7:30 p.m. while the kids run through the kitchen.)  It also helps to have a partner for this project, as the upper cabinets can be heavy to lift into place.  You don’t need a lot of tools; a couple of good levels, a hammer, some clamps, an electric drill with a Phillips screw bit, and a straight length of 2 x 4 should be sufficient.  You will probably need some shim material, as well, to compensate for floors and walls that aren’t level and plumb.

First, you’ll need to draw vertical lines to indicate the location of the wall studs to which you will be attaching your cabinets.  (If you are replacing old cabinets, the holes where they were mounted may show you where some of those studs are.)

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