Architecture Adrenaline
Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Prior to installing cabinets, ideally the walls and bulkheads should be finished off by drywalling, priming, and painting them - saving both time and money while eliminating costly changes to layout.
Before mounting cabinets, install ledger strips or cleats--narrow pieces of wood used to support frames and wall-mounted decor--to create a resting place for them while you mount. This way you have something solid on which to rest the cabinet during assembly.
Cabinet installation can be a complicated endeavor, but it doesn't have to be impossible with careful planning and best practice tips. To start off the installation process, take these steps: (1) remove cabinets from their boxes and position them without fasteners according to your kitchen design plan (2) remove and secure each fastener
Next, locate and mark any potential stud locations where base cabinets will be placed. A stud finder makes this task simpler; otherwise a strong tape measure and level will do.
Once a wall is marked for base cabinets, using your "high point" line to draw a level line that defines each cabinet box is crucial for smooth installation later. If your floor isn't perfectly level, use this level line as a guide and shim each cabinet against this line to prevent them from being out of alignment when installed later on. Also if plumbing or electrical lines will pass behind them now is the time to mark their openings by measuring from layout lines and marking them directly on them.
Few walls are perfectly flat, so shimming base cabinets to compensate is a part of everyday life. To determine high or low spots on both the floor and walls before ordering cabinets, check them using a long spirit level before placing an order for cabinets. If necessary, extend custom built extensions as necessary while short end panels may benefit from using a bowed cabinet or simply shaving off some drywall on site to add height.
To determine the height of a base cabinet, draw a level chalk line on the wall where it will be installed and take measurements from various points on the floor to that line in several spots. This sets up each cabinet in the room: place one about 1/4 in. away from its positioning line; shim it until it lines up perfectly with both its horizontal chalk line and front-to-back levelness before driving 2-1/2-in screws into its studs to secure it.
Cabinet clamps are another tool professional installers utilize that most weekend DIY'ers typically lack. A ratcheting squeeze clamp can make all the difference between an elegant installation that looks professional versus one that resembles work done by untrained weekend woodworkers.
One of my favorite cabinet clamps is the Bessey Pony cabinet claw. This heavy-duty clamp combines multiple steps of face frame cabinet installation into one simple process - tightening two stiles together side to side while an aluminum alignment plate keeps them flush and aligned front to back, with a pilot-hole drilling guide flipping out of the way when driving screws to connect cabinets together.
Jorgensen cabinet clamps are another useful clamping solution, being utilized to fasten finished decorative drawer faces securely to base cabinets. Their orange-handled clamps apply pressure on any face frames that are out-of-alignment with each other or against walls until they achieve perfect flushness with one another and against walls.
Cabinet knobs and handles can make or break the look of a kitchen, so choosing styles that complement overall design should not sacrifice function for appearance. However, choosing handles or knobs that look fantastic but are difficult to open or close can increase door or drawer opening time significantly.
Do not be afraid of making adjustments on the fly, such as using a wood awl instead of store-bought templates to poke holes for you - this prevents your drill bit from wandering off into unexpected directions!
Before beginning the installation process, use a stud finder to ensure all studs are marked accurately. Knowing where each wall stud lies allows you to shim accordingly when necessary and also helps ensure cabinets are installed squarely - even minor discrepancies in how studs line up could throw off an entire install process!
