TWO (2) Installation principles

1. Cabinets need to be installed straight, plumb, and level.

2. The area you are working in is rarely straight, plumb, and level.

The goal is to use the tips and tricks here used by professional installers all the time to help the finish install appear to be straight, plumb, and level, and have all the seams and doors line up.

Tools You Will Need

Get Ready for the New

Cabinet Inspection

Make a “Map”

Install Wall Cabinets

Install Base Cabinets

Final Adjustments

What Will Be Covered

Installation

Tools You Will Need

Tool Checklist Steel Tape Measure 24" Carpenter’s Level Chalk Line or String Tapered Wood for Shims Scribing Tool and Pencil Variable Speed Drill 7/32", 3/16", and

1/4" Drill Bits Step Ladder

Extension Cord 2-6" Bar Clamps or “C”

Clamps Carpenter’s Square Stud Finder Patching Plaster and Putty

Knife Small Carpenter’s Saw Claw Hammer

Getting Ready for the New

Check Kitchen Plans First

Prepare room for new cabinets, if necessary.

Locate cabinets and set aside.

Familiarize yourself with kitchen.

Getting Ready for the New

Initial Preparation Check kitchen plans and

design.

Using stud finder, locate and mark studs.

Verify stud location.

Cabinet Inspection

Initial Preparation Inspect each cabinet carefully.

All cabinets are subjected to numerous quality inspections and are carefully packaged before leaving the factory.

Unfortunately, damage may occasionally occur in handling between the factory and final destination.

If damage is discovered, place the cabinet back in the box and call the Subdivision Supervisor..

Inspect your master material list to be sure you have all the cabinets and parts you have ordered.

Make a “Map”

Identify Base Cabinet Positioning From the high point

of the floor, mark horizontal lines on the walls.

35" up for base cabinets.

54" up for the bottom of the wall cabinets.

35"

Make a “Map”

Identify Wall Cabinet Positioning Next, mark lines for

the top of wall cabinets.

For 30" high, mark at 84".

For 36" high, mark at 90".

For 42" high, mark at 96".

35"

Make a “Map”

Wall Preparation Find and mark all

the wall studs (generally 16" apart on center).

35"

Make a “Map”

35"

Make a “Map”

Marking Walls Check all dimension

alignments.

Using a straight edge, mark for wall and base cabinets.

TIP: Remember the 3-4-5 Rule from Basic Design for determining a square corner.

Rough Layout

Determine location of appliances Unpack and position all cabinets Remove the doors to avoid scratching

them during installation. (store safely) “dry fit” fillers or complicated areas

Install Wall Cabinets

Wall Cabinets First Measure from the corner

the stud mark.

Transfer this measurement to the inside of the cabinet.

Place the cabinet on the reference line.

Drill through the wall cabinet back into the studs with a 3/32" bit, 2 3/8" deep (the holes should be positioned 3/4" down from the inside top and no closer than 2" to any inside vertical edge.

Use #10 2 1/2" screws until they are nearly tight.TIP: Start in the corner first for Wall Cabinet Installation.

Install Wall Cabinets

Wall Cabinet Positioning Place the next cabinet on

the wall at the reference line.

Align the bottom and side rails with the other cabinet and attach to the wall.

Use 2 C-clamps and clamp the face frames of the 2 cabinets together.

With a 1/16" drill bit, drill 2 starter holes top and bottom through the face frames and attach with #6 x 2 1/2" screws.Drill not only into wall, but through attaching face frame to insure cabinets

are square.

Install Wall Cabinets

Wall Cabinet Positioning Check cabinet with a level

on the front, sides and bottom.

Make sure the back is fully supported with shims and does not bow into any imperfections in the wall. THIS can crack panels or torque frames of cabinets.

Recommended installation is 4 screws (into studs where available) for any cabinets over 24” wide.

Install Base Cabinets

Base Cabinet Positioning Start installing base

cabinets in the corner.

Mount the corner cabinet to the wall using the marked line set at 35".

Install Base Cabinets

Base Cabinet Positioning Using C-clamps, align

and join the cabinets at the face frames.

Make sure the frames align both on the face and vertically.

Attach face frames the same way as the wall cabinet.

Install Base Cabinets

Base Cabinet Positioning Check cabinet to see

if level and plumb.

Shim to fill uneven areas:

– between wall and back of cabinet.

– between floor and bottom of base.

Failure to do this can result in damage to the cabinet.

Attach the cabinets to the wall the same way as the wall cabinets.

Final Adjustments

Alignments

Check again for cabinet alignment.

Tighten all the screws fully.

Final Adjustments

Alignments Check for door and

drawer alignment.

If necessary, complete the following:

– re-install doors and drawers.

– check to see if doors are square.

– use a level to check all surfaces.

Final Adjustments

Alignments1. Some allow for side to side

adjustment: Loosen the screws on the

arm of the hinges. Slide the door toward the

middle of the cabinet. Match up the teeth on the

hinge and tighten the screw.

2. For hinge adjustment up and down: Loosen the hinge screw

attached to the door. Use shims to adjust

vertical alignment. Slide the door up and

down until aligned and tighten the screw.

1 2

Final Adjustments

Alignments If you want a reverse door swing, on square

doors just remove the door and attach to opposite side of frame (Certain door styles are not reversible).

Install all pulls and other hardware.

REMEMBER: All hardwood doors are susceptible to splintering when drilled.

DRILL HOLES FIRST.

A touch-up marker can conceal installation problems.

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