Kitchen cabinet installation should be fun! Like the ultimate “big boy’s building blocks” kitchen remodeling can give you immediate satisfaction and adds immense value as well. The down side is that while the job seems easy… a few simple mistakes can cost you BIG TIME.
I hope this series of articles helps clear up the “mystery” of great kitchen design.
Step 1: Once you print out your floor plans and elevations, the first step is to unpack your cabinets, inspect them for any damages and if all is well… group them into base cabinets, wall cabinets and others. Then… separate the duplicates. (i.e. multiple w1230′s). Are they hinged differently? Which sides are finished? This ensures that you don’t accidentally install the wrong cabinet in the wrong spot.
Step 2: Locate all studs… mark them as you go. (run your marks so that when the cabinets are set in place you can see the marks above and below them… for proper screw/stud alignment).
Step 3: Upper cabinets typically hang 54″ off the floor. Therefore we will hang a ledger (1×4′s) at that height. (Perfectly level) We will eventually set our cabinet run on this ledger making the install a breeze.
Step 4: Now… we are going to fasten our cabinet runs together. (3-4 cabinets including one corner cabinet) Turn them on their backs… Line up the styles… clamp them and screw them.
Step 5: Set this run of cabinets on the ledger and screw them to the wall. (Always screw through on the top and bottom side of the cabinet. Never inside the cabinet)
Step 6: Now install your crown. Always use a marker to paint the “cut” mitered edges. Be sure to glue the mitered corners (both in and out). I use P-210. Also, use a micro-pinner instead of a regular finish nailer. The micro pins will not show at all.
Step 7: If you are tiling your back splash… do not install the light rails yet. If not… you can do so now. (Always run your trim TO your tile)
Now it’s time to install the base cabinets. The MOST important thing is to make sure your cabinets are perfectly level, perfectly plumb, absolutely even and firmly planted on the floor. Granite is very heavy and can fracture if not set on a proper foundation. Because of this we developed the EZ-Level cabinet leveling system.
Step 8: Measure up 34-3/4″ from the floor. You MUST mark your install line from the HIGHEST point of your floor. (I use a self-leveling laser to make this quick and easy) If you only have a 4′ hand level you will need to measure up 34-3/4″ on each end of the wall to know which is the higher point. Run your line from THAT point over.
Step 9: If you are still using shims to level your cabinets, you will need to set each and every cabinet into place and level it up to your install line. Then you will screw those cabinets together through the styles. Use a good C-clamp to hold your styles in place while you counter-sink and screw the styles.
If you are using the EZ-Level system you can now attach all your cabinets together. (As many as you like)… Then install them like one solid piece of furniture! This will cut your install time in half!
We will be placing videos on our site showing every detail of every aspect of How to install kitchen cabinets including custom islands, lighting, trim, back splashes etc.
Thank you, God bless you and Enjoy !
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