Wondering how to hang cabinets? It’s a surprisingly straightforward DIY job and knowing how to install wall cabinets the right way can save you time and money. Instead of calling a professional, check out our guide and do it yourself!
In this guide, we’ll show you how to hang cabinets step by step. It’s important to plan carefully, and then work slowly and methodically to get the best results.
Here’s what you need to do in preparation:
- Find the wall studs. Use a stud finder to locate all the studs and mark the middle of each one.
- Measure from the floor. Measure the distance from the floor to where you want to put the ledger board – 54 inches is standard. Use a level to draw a straight line and mark the position.
- Attach the ledger board. Screw it to the wall at the stud line.
- Remove the doors of the cabinets. This will make the cabinets lighter and easier to install.
- Clamp the cabinets together. Clamping the cabinets will help you to install them with greater precision. Only clamp together as many cabinets as you can lift.
- Connect the cabinets. Screw them together, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Pre-drill holes. Pre-drill holes on the hanging rail at the back of the cabinet.
- Measure and mark. Measure the distance between the wall and the stud. Then, on the back of the cabinet, measure the same distance. This will help you to attach the cabinets right in the middle of the stud.
Wondering how to hang cabinets? There’s a lot of preparation needed before you can secure the cabinets properly
Finally, if your cabinets have a lighting feature, here’s another important factor to keep in mind. Check the hanging rail – is there electrical wiring going through the middle? If so, make sure you choose the right length of cabinet screws, so there’s no risk of them cutting through the wiring.
Now you’re ready to move to the next stage – installing the cabinet.
Here’s how to mount wall cabinets:
- Put the cabinets in place. Lift them, positioning them at the bottom of the board, and then push them into place against the wall.
- Attach the mounting screws. Screw them into the pre-drilled holes. Check that the cabinets are being attached directly onto the studs. For uneven walls, use shims on the back of the cabinets. This will help to keep them in position once they’re installed.
- Check that the cabinets are even and plumb. Make sure you’re happy with the positioning before you move onto the next set of cabinets.
- Repeat the process. Repeat the steps above with the remaining cabinets.
You’re not quite done yet – you need to know how to install wall cabinets securely.
How to hang cabinets: Finish with a clean touch by applying sealant around the edges for a smooth, polished look
To finish off, follow these steps:
- Remove any clamps from the cabinets.
- Tighten the screws. Make sure you tighten all the interior screws – both those connecting to the wall and those connecting to the other cabinets.
- Put the cabinet doors back on. Once you’re confident that the cabinets are securely screwed in place, reattach the doors.
- Take down the ledger board.
- Seal the cabinets. Apply an acrylic-based or MS-polymer based sealant to the perimeter of the cabinets – where the edges touch the wall or backsplash. This helps to fill in any gaps.
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