article : Installing kitchen cabinets
Installing kitchen cabinets
The kitchen cabinets were ordered and have arrived. Now it's time to install them and in most cases some advanced planing is required. This especially holds true if the installation is for a remodeling project. We'll assume that the cabinets that were ordered are the correct ones so the first thing that I do is some checking.
Is the floor level?
The way I do this is by setting up a laser transit in the room such as the one below.
Is the floor level?
The way I do this is by setting up a laser transit in the room such as the one below.
Once this is set up it will spin and create a perfect laser level line on the wall. I then take a chalk line and snap a line that matches that one. I now have a level line to reference and by measuring from that line to the floor at various points I am able to determine if the floor is level. If the floor isn't level then I can make marks down from my reference line to create a level line with another chalk line. Now I know where shimming or trimming will be required.
Are the corners square?
This is easily accomplished with a standard framing square and allows me to see if I will need to make adjustments. I also need to check the corners to see if they are plumb as many are not.
"Some floors and walls have uneven (high or low) spots, which will affect the installation. It will be necessary to locate these uneven areas and shim or scribe cabinets in order to make the installation plumb, true and square. Use the following procedures to identify your uneven areas."
Studs and blocking?
As there is nothing on the walls yet I need places that I can secure the cabinets to. Putting a couple of screws into a Sheetrock wall won't cut it. If this is a new kitchen then critical blocking should have already been added. However in remodeling projects you'll need to locate and mark the studs so that you have a strong place to attach your cabinets.
Starting the installation.
I do my installations a bit different than many. Many will add a ledger board at the desired height and install the upper cabinets first while they can get right up against the wall. I start with the base cabinets as this is the system that works for me.
The first cabinet is critical. It has to be installed perfectly in regards to plumb, level and square or every one after it will be off by an increasing amount. At this junction its check, check and re-check until you have fully attached the cabinet to the blocking or studs. Once that is done you can attach, shim, plumb and level the next one. As you move along you will also need to attach the face frames together. Here I clamp the two units together and drill and screw them securely to each other with a finish head trim screw.
Installing the upper cabinets.
The next step for me is to apply the chosen counter top material, which I'm going to gloss over for now.
When that is done I am now ready to use the same techniques as for the base units but with a couple of great jacks.
I have already marked the wall with a level line to show where the base of the unit will be. Now with two of the above jacks in position, I put the cabinet on top of them and with the squeeze handles I can micro adjust it to be exactly where I want it with no real effort. Once it is set in place you just apply the screws and move to the next unit.
The finished project!
The finished project!
Planning and installing kitchen cabinetry takes time but the finished product is well worth it.
contemporary kitchen design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors
For further reading please visit my blogs- http://www.thebuildingblox.com/
and http://www.socialmedia4builders.com/
For further reading please visit my blogs- http://www.thebuildingblox.com/
and http://www.socialmedia4builders.com/
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