This article has been viewed 30,487 times. If you haven’t installed cabinets before then there are tools for … Follow the steps below to ensure an efficient and accurate wall cabinet installation. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-hang-kitchen-cabinets, https://www.familyhandyman.com/kitchen/diy-kitchen-cabinets/how-to-install-cabinets/view-all/, http://www.finehomebuilding.com/2016/06/01/installing-upper-cabinets, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-hang-kitchen-wall-cabinet, https://homesteady.com/how-6615456-install-upper-kitchen-wall-cabinets.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If the cabinets aren’t level, undo the screws. Step 4: Mount the First Hanging Cabinet. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 30,487 times. This will prevent the cabinet backs from bowing when you drive in the screws. Use a compass to draw a line that follows the contours of the wall. Install Base Cabinets. Measure up from the floor to find where the cabinets will rest. Step 5: Mount the Second Cabinet. Do this step for each unit. This article was co-authored by Norman Raverty. Filler strips are placed beside the leftmost or rightmost cabinets, between the wall and cabinet. Then you can fill in gaps with filler strip to complete your room’s fresh, new look. [1] X Research source Use a ruler to trace any lines. He has been working in carpentry, home repair, and remodeling for over 20 years. Keep the faces even and use a drill with a countersink/taper twist drill bit to drill through the face frames and connect with the cabinet screws. Install Upper Cabinets Step 1: Attach the Ledger. Use clamps to hold the cabinets together and then drive screws into the back. You want to keep them as straight as possible since you’ll use them as references when hanging the cabinets. If you’re installing crown moulding, attach it with finish nails. Mark this spot with a pencil and draw a straight line through it all the way across the wall. Hang the doors and make hinge adjustments for keeping the doors even. Some cabinets will have another one of these thick support rails in the middle that you should also mark. Start by attaching a straight 1-inch-by-4-inch ledger on the wall at the 54-inch line. Have the right tools and materials. If your wall is bowed, it helps to glue shims over the stud lines where you’ll secure the mounting screws. If you can’t find the studs, you can do it by drilling partway into the wall about every 16 in (41 cm). Shims are small, wooden strips used for positioning. References. Learn More. Link to Lowe's Home Improvement Home Page, Step 6: Drill and Connect the Upper Cabinets. If you have a friend who will hold the cabinets as you install them, you don’t need a ledger board. Start by attaching a straight 1-inch-by-4-inch ledger on the wall at the 54-inch line. Set the cabinet in place and drive the mounting screws into the wall. Once all the cabinets are connected, drive in the rear screws and remove the clamps. Continue the process until you reach the end of the row, continually checking that the faces and edges are even and level. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Adjust the shims as needed, then push the cabinets closer together before putting the screws back in place. Otherwise, start with the leftmost cabinet. In our next article, we’ll help you learn How to Install Base Cabinets. When you get to the end of the row, you may have a space between the hanging cabinet and the wall. Don’t overtighten the screws. You’ll hear a lower, fuller sound when hitting a stud instead of empty space. You can test the cabinet with a level to make sure it looks perfect. Seat the mounting … Step 2: Measure the Cabinets. Drill and countersink two pilot holes through each of the mounting rails, centering the holes over the studs. To learn how to add filler strips to your cabinet, read on! Norman Raverty is the owner of San Mateo Handyman, a handyman service in the San Francisco Bay Area. A ledger is a board that helps support the cabinetry as you work. Remember to account for the cabinet's face frame. Screw the cabinets together to keep them snug and even. It’s best to leave the screws a little loose until you’ve finished shimming the cabinet. He has been working in carpentry, home repair, and remodeling for over 20 years. It’s best to install upper cabinets before the base cabinets go in. Installing your own cabinets is easier than ever, but always measure out your wall space first to get the best fit. Use shims in the back to make it plumb if necessary. Upper cabinets are easy to install, even if you don’t have a lot of experience, but you will want to have someone help you. It’s also good idea to also have a friend help lift the cabinets while you fasten them to the wall. You may need to. If your cabinets are already assembled, remove the doors for easier handling. Now that you’ve prepped your installation area and installed the upper cabinets, installing the base cabinets will be easy. Shim behind the cabinet if needed. Step 3: Drill the Cabinets. Related Articles. Last Updated: May 12, 2020 If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Use a level to ensure your cabinets are installed accurately. Once you’ve done this, drill holes through the backs of the cabinets so they line up with the studs in the wall. This article has been viewed 30,487 times. Measure up the wall about 48 in (120 cm) or 19 1⁄2 in (50 cm) above a lower cabinet. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Make sure that the cabinet is level and plumb. Tighten them just enough to hold the cabinet in place. Drill holes through the cabinet backs at the top, middle and bottom rails. Hold the cabinets together with a pair of clamps to ensure they stay level. Measure and Prep for Cabinets. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn More. After all cabinets have been attached together, tighten all the mounting screws. Before you install the cabinets, use a stud finder and mark where the studs are located on your wall. For additional tips, check out our video on How to Install Upper Cabinets. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Install-Upper-Cabinets-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Upper-Cabinets-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Install-Upper-Cabinets-Step-1.jpg\/aid9487929-v4-728px-Install-Upper-Cabinets-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"