How To Install Cabinets Yourself : A DIY Guide For Everything You Need To Know

Kitchen cabinets are used extensively and on a daily basis in most households. Hence it is natural for some degree of wear and tear to happen over time. When this happens, you can either get them repaired or replace them depending on the severity of the damage. But if it has been a while the cabinets have been around, or in other terms, if they have become seasoned, it is best to replace them. You can check with your local hardware store or professional for your new cabinet installation in Martin County. if you reside there. Or look up all the details you want based on your location and educate yourself about this. Below is a step by step guide for installing cabinets in case you decide to make this into a DIY project.

Step 1: Identify the position for placement

The base cabinet positioning will be fixed first. Its measurements can be fluctuated based on the homeowner's requirement keeping in mind the backsplash in which the standard norm is 18 inches. Additionally, 2 inches are to be added to this total to help accommodate those not so big appliances. Now measure from the floor to the base of the top cabinet to be put in and ensure the floor is level so that the incoming cabinet is not tilted. In case the floor is not level, make changes accordingly. Prior to the commencement of any work, check for any wires passing through that area or any fixture that can hamper your work or cause damage

Step 2: Install a ledger board

Prior to hanging the upper cabinets, which get installed first, a ledger board will have to be fixed into the wall where you have marked on the said wall for the cabinets to be installed. This task will be achieved by fixing them onto the highlighted studs temporarily during the process of installation. 

Step 3: Fix Cabinets

Prior to installing them into the ledger board, fix the cabinets together first, as many as you’d like. It is recommended that 2-3 be installed together at a time as this will ease the installation into the ledger and helps avoid any possible damage or breakage. Using clamps, attach the stiles together and inspect for any plumb anywhere. Pre-drill the cabinets before installing them at the stiles with the help of screws. Do not use nails here as with humidity they might get loose due to the cabinet expanding or contracting. When joining two cabinets, affix a screw at the top and bottom between them on each side to better help them stay together. Once boarded them, affix them on the ledger board and check thoroughly for plum.

Step 4: Fix other cabinets

The remaining cabinets can now be installed since the first cabinet is fixed. Be sure to fix them onto the ledge first and then adjacent to the cabinet. When you reach for the last cabinet, put it up against the ledger board and check if there is any space between the two, if yes then use the help of a filler which the manufacturer would’ve given along with the rest of the stuff. Once the last cabinet is installed, attach the other materials provided such as doors and handles.

Step 5: Measure lower cabinets

Similar to the upper cabinets, mark where the positions for the cabinets and check of the floor is level or not. If not, then start with the base cabinet since shimming under it will be easy as compared to other locations. Once this is achieved, start the installation from the corner as keeping the entire process leveled out will be much easier from there on in. Mark positions for the other cabinets with a pencil and uses a leveler to ensure each one will be in line. Do a trial run of installation with the first cabinet and check if it is leveled and fits according to your requirements. Once satisfied, repeat the process that was carried out for the upper cabinets.

Step 6: Affix all cabinets

When you have completed all of the above steps, start installing the remaining cabinets adjacent to each other checking their leveling and space along the way. Once this is done attach the doors, drawers and any other hardware that may need to be installed.