How to Attach Kitchen Cabinets to Walls
Adding new cabinets to your kitchen can add more storage space or update the kitchen's decor. You must attach wall cabinets to wall studs to accommodate the weight of dishes or canned goods. The key to a successful project is placing the first cabinet on the wall properly. Purchase your cabinets and doors along with the necessary hardware for the cabinet doors. Depending on the size of your project, plan on installing the cabinets over a weekend. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4-foot level
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- 1-inch x 2-inch board (ledger)
- Stud finder
- Drill
- 2-1/2 inch wood screws
- Helper
- 3-1/2 inch wood screws
- Spackle
- C-clamps
Instructions
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1
Locate where the bottom of the cabinet in going to set on the wall. Measure from the countertop to where you want the bottom of the cabinet. Place the top of the 1-inch by 2-inch board at the mark. Check the levelness of the board with a 4-foot level and trace a line across the wall from the top of the board.
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2
Find the wall studs by running a stud finder across the line and marking with a pencil where the studs are along the line. Place the 1-inch by 2-inch board on your trace line and attach the board to the wall studs with 2-1/2 inch wood screws. Use a drill and Phillips-head attachment to screw in the wood screws.
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3
Place the cabinet flush against the wall with the rear bottom resting on the 1-inch by 2-inch ledger board. Have an assistant hold the cabinet in position. Inside the top rear and bottom rear of the cabinet are two small board rails. These rails are the mounting rails and this is where you will place your mounting screws.
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4
Attach the cabinet temporarily by screwing in 3-1/2 inch wood screws in the top and bottom rail. Attach the screws where the studs are and only attach them halfway. Place a level on the side of the cabinet and across the front of the cabinet to check the cabinet for plumb. Place shims where necessary between the cabinet and the wall. Firmly screw in the first two wood screws. Place 3-1/2 inch wood screw on the top and bottom rail where wall studs are and secure the cabinet to the wall.
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5
Remove the ledger board by removing the wood screws securing the board to the wall. Patch the holes with spackle. Set up the ledger board for the next cabinet the same way the board was set for the first. Attach the next cabinet on the wall.
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6
Clamp cabinets together with C-clamps on the face frames. Use the drill to screw the side mounting rails at the inside top and bottom of the cabinets with 2-1/2 inch wood screws.
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