Frequently Asked Questions: How To Install Kitchen Cabinets
"Can I Really Do This? Don't You Have To Be An Expert Or Something?" Part of the process of learning how to install kitchen cabinets involves acquiring the necessary know-how. You can get this knowledge in several ways: Pick up some tips from a family member, friend or neighbor; read a how-to manual (most are easy to understand); take a course at a community college or trade school. The point here is: You CAN really learn how to install kitchen cabinets, if you want to. And no, you don't have to be an expert. "Can I Do The Job Myself?" The answer to this is: No. You will need another person to help you lift - sometimes heavy - kitchen cabinets onto your wall. You will need another person to help you moving floor cabinets into position. In fact, I don't know how to install kitchen cabinets at all using just one person. Get a partner for this project. "What Thickness Of Wood Do I Need For My Cabinets?" In general, if you are going to be installing wood cabinets, they should be at least 1/2 inch thick. In learning how to install kitchen cabinets you may encounter some wood cabinets that are made of thinner wood, but I don't advise using these, as they will not hold up as well. And while you are learning how to install kitchen cabinets, you should learn this: particle board is out. Any cabinetry made using this material is simply junk and a waste of your money. "Is It OK To Use Nails Instead Of Screws When Mounting Cabinets To The Wall?" The short answer is, again, no. Cabinets mounted with nails can come down, especially when they are loaded with heavy dishes, food or other cooking supplies. Any reliable book you consult on how to install kitchen cabinets will tell you the same thing: always use screws. ALWAYS. "What Wood Choices Are Available?" As you might expect, your wood choices in kitchen cabinets are almost endless: pine, hickory, walnut, cherry, mahogany. Again, a part of the process in learning how to install kitchen cabinets is learning about wood types - their strengths and weaknesses. Some woods are very strong, but also very heavy. Some woods are lighter in weight, and less expensive, but not as strong. You will need to weigh the pros and cons of each type, and also take cost into consideration, before you make your purchase. "How Can I Locate The Wall Studs?" If your walls have been built properly, the wall studs should be located about 16 inches apart. But this can vary from home to home, and also be influenced by local building codes (as well as costs). You can find a list of companies that market 'stud finders' in just about any book on how to install kitchen cabinets. "What's The Best Way To Get Started?" Overall, the best way to proceed is to install all the wall cabinets first. Some folk, who don't know how to install kitchen cabinets properly, will instead install the floor-standing cabinets first -- and then find that they will have to work around those newly-installed cabinets as they mount the wall units. To avoid all of this hassle, I recommend you install the wall cabinets first, then the floor units. Learning how to install kitchen cabinets can seem like an overwhelming assignment at first. But if you will take the time to read up on the subject, ask questions of knowledgeable friends, use your DIY center as unofficial consultants, take a course in how to install kitchen cabinets, you will soon find that you have all the knowledge you need to make your installation project a success! |
