Upper Cabinet Installation Tips

There are several methods that are used for the installation of the upper cabinet. I have thirty years of experience installing kitchen cabinets. These techniques have proven to be the easiest way for me to hang tops on walls. These tips will save you hours of frustration if you use them.

One of the first steps is to find where the studs or furring strips are located. I do this by first rapping the drywall with my knuckles. After I find a spot where I think there is one, I start drilling three 16th-inch holes in various places. These holes should be drilled in an area where the cabinets will cover them once installed. When I hit the stud, I mark it. Next, I measure more than sixteen inches from the mark and hit the wall again for the next stud. Repeat the process until all are located and marked.

Determine where the bottom of the floor wall cabinets will be located and make two adjustable support poles from four pieces of pine. The standard height for installing wall cabinets is fifty-four inches from the floor. These hardware should fit slightly higher than where the bottom of the cabinet will be.

Mark a level line on the wall where the bottom of the first upper cabinet will be installed. You must install the first cabinet perfectly level. In most cases, the first up will be in a corner.

If you need to cut a filler and attach it to the cabinet, do so below. It will be a good idea to keep a level against the wall where the backfill will be installed to see if there are any depressions or humps that need to be noted. If you need to cut the filler crooked to plumb the cabinet, cut it crooked. Installation of all cabinets must be level, plumb and square. All alterations to ensure cabinets are installed level must be made in the fillers.

Drill three 16th-inch-wide holes in the back of the first corresponding cabinet in the same locations where the studs are located in the wall.

Position the support poles at an angle, slightly below the level line. Raise the first upper cabinet to the level line and adjust the struts to support the weight of the cabinet. Hold cabinet firmly and secure to wall with number two screws.

Move the studs to support the next wall cabinet to be installed. Drill holes into the cabinet again where the screws will sink into the wall studs. Hold the top in place, adjust the struts to support it, then use clamps to align the front of the cabinet with the first wall cabinet you installed. Secure the clamps very tightly. First fasten the cabinets in front, and then fasten the cabinet to the wall. Continue the process until all the cabinets are installed.

These installation tips should serve you well. The most important thing to remember is to install all cabinets level and flush against the walls and ceiling.