How to Hang Cabinets Under a Bulkhead

Installing cabinets can be completed by following a few tricks.

Hanging kitchen cabinets under a bulkhead can be an awkward process. The bottom edge of a kitchen bulkhead is 84 inches above the floor. The typical upper kitchen cabinet is 30 inches tall. Smaller upper kitchen cabinets range between 18 and 12 inches tall. The dimensions of these cabinets, their weight and the fastening process make for a difficult one-person operation. By planning ahead, having the right tools, and creating a simple jig, you can simplify the process and do it yourself like a pro.

Instructions

Hanging Upper Kitchen Cabinets Over Base Cabinets

1. Install the base cabinets first. Many installers believe it's easier to install upper cabinets first. However, if you install the base cabinets first, the upper cabinets can be supported by a simple homemade jig fixture.

2. Lay out the cabinet locations on the wall. Identify where each cabinet will be installed, and identify where the studs are in the wall using the stud finder tool. Mark these stud locations with a pencil approximately 16 inches above the top edge of the base cabinets.

3. Remove any doors and shelving from the upper cabinets.

4. Measure the distance from one end of the upper cabinet run to the location of the wall studs. Pre-drill two holes in the upper cabinet to match these measurements. When the cabinet is held in place, the pre-drilled holes should align themselves directly with the wall studs. Insert all-purpose screws by hand to simplify the installation process.

5. Cut 2 pieces of 2-by-4, each 16 inches long. Cut two pieces of 2-by-4, 36 inches long. Connect these pieces together with the 2.5-inch coarse thread all-purpose screws to form a rectangle 36 inches by 19 inches. This homemade jig will support the upper cabinets during the installation process. Set the installation jig on top of the lower cabinets and use this jig to support the weight of the upper cabinet. Balance the upper cabinet in the location where it will be installed. The installer should be able to walk away, leaving the upper cabinet in place as the installation process begins.

6. Anchor the upper cabinet to the wall using one 2.5-inch all-purpose screw in the upper left-hand corner of the cabinet. This screw will support the entire weight of the cabinet. Remove the installation jig, and using the 24-inch level and cedar shims, install the cabinet so it is both level and plumb to the walls and floor. Finish attaching the cabinet with a total of four 2.5-inch all-purpose screws. Each screw should firmly grip a wall stud. Do not rely on the strength of the drywall material to support the cabinets.

Installing Upper Cabinets When There Are No Lower Cabinets

1. Measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the bulkhead. Measure the total height of the cabinets. Subtract 1/2 inch from the remaining distance and build a similar jig to that created in Section 1.

2. Remove the doors and any internal shelving from the upper cabinets. Identify the internal wall studs and mark these studs at a height just visible under the lower edge of the cabinets.

3. Repeat the installation process as specified in Section 1. The installation jig should completely support the weight of the cabinets so that the installer's hands are free to anchor the cabinet so that it is both level and plumb.

Tips & Warnings

• By properly installing each cabinet before moving on to the next, a cabinet installation job can be completed without complications.

References

• Cabinet installation instructions
• More tips for cabinet installation

Resources

• Video tips on cabinet installation