TWO (2) Installation principles 1. Cabinets need to be installed straight, plumb, and level. 2. The area you are working in is rarely straight, plumb, and level. The goal is to use the tips and tricks here used by professional installers all the time to help the finish install appear to be straight, plumb, and level, and have all the seams and doors line up.

 Tools You Will Need  Get Ready for the New  Cabinet Inspection  Make a “Map”  Install Wall Cabinets  Install Base Cabinets  Final Adjustments What Will Be Covered Installation

Tools You Will Need Tool Checklist  Steel Tape Measure  24" Carpenter’s Level  Chalk Line or String  Tapered Wood for Shims  Scribing Tool and Pencil  Variable Speed Drill  7/32", 3/16", and 1/4" Drill Bits  Step Ladder  Extension Cord  2-6" Bar Clamps or “C” Clamps  Carpenter’s Square  Stud Finder  Patching Plaster and Putty Knife  Small Carpenter’s Saw  Claw Hammer

Getting Ready for the New Check Kitchen Plans First  Prepare room for new cabinets, if necessary.  Locate cabinets and set aside.  Familiarize yourself with kitchen.

Getting Ready for the New Initial Preparation  Check kitchen plans and design.  Using stud finder, locate and mark studs.  Verify stud location.

Cabinet Inspection Initial Preparation  Inspect each cabinet carefully.  All cabinets are subjected to numerous quality inspections and are carefully packaged before leaving the factory.  Unfortunately, damage may occasionally occur in handling between the factory and final destination.  If damage is discovered, place the cabinet back in the box and call the Subdivision Supervisor..  Inspect your master material list to be sure you have all the cabinets and parts you have ordered.

Make a “Map” Identify Base Cabinet Positioning  From the high point of the floor, mark horizontal lines on the walls.  35" up for base cabinets.  54" up for the bottom of the wall cabinets. 35"

Make a “Map” Identify Wall Cabinet Positioning  Next, mark lines for the top of wall cabinets.  For 30" high, mark at 84".  For 36" high, mark at 90".  For 42" high, mark at 96". 35"

Make a “Map” Wall Preparation  Find and mark all the wall studs (generally 16" apart on center). 35"

Make a “Map” 35"

Make a “Map” Marking Walls  Check all dimension alignments.  Using a straight edge, mark for wall and base cabinets. TIP: Remember the Rule from Basic Design for determining a square corner.

Rough Layout Determine location of appliances Unpack and position all cabinets Remove the doors to avoid scratching them during installation. (store safely) “dry fit” fillers or complicated areas

Install Wall Cabinets Wall Cabinets First  Measure from the corner the stud mark.  Transfer this measurement to the inside of the cabinet.  Place the cabinet on the reference line.  Drill through the wall cabinet back into the studs with a 3/32" bit, 2 3/8" deep (the holes should be positioned 3/4" down from the inside top and no closer than 2" to any inside vertical edge.  Use #10 2 1/2" screws until they are nearly tight. TIP: Start in the corner first for Wall Cabinet Installation.

Install Wall Cabinets Wall Cabinet Positioning  Place the next cabinet on the wall at the reference line.  Align the bottom and side rails with the other cabinet and attach to the wall.  Use 2 C-clamps and clamp the face frames of the 2 cabinets together.  With a 1/16" drill bit, drill 2 starter holes top and bottom through the face frames and attach with #6 x 2 1/2" screws. Drill not only into wall, but through attaching face frame to insure cabinets are square.

Install Wall Cabinets Wall Cabinet Positioning  Check cabinet with a level on the front, sides and bottom.  Make sure the back is fully supported with shims and does not bow into any imperfections in the wall. THIS can crack panels or torque frames of cabinets.  Recommended installation is 4 screws (into studs where available) for any cabinets over 24” wide.

Install Base Cabinets Base Cabinet Positioning  Start installing base cabinets in the corner.  Mount the corner cabinet to the wall using the marked line set at 35".

Install Base Cabinets Base Cabinet Positioning  Using C-clamps, align and join the cabinets at the face frames.  Make sure the frames align both on the face and vertically.  Attach face frames the same way as the wall cabinet.

Install Base Cabinets Base Cabinet Positioning  Check cabinet to see if level and plumb.  Shim to fill uneven areas: – between wall and back of cabinet. – between floor and bottom of base.  Failure to do this can result in damage to the cabinet.  Attach the cabinets to the wall the same way as the wall cabinets.

Final Adjustments Alignments  Check again for cabinet alignment.  Tighten all the screws fully.

Final Adjustments Alignments  Check for door and drawer alignment.  If necessary, complete the following: – re-install doors and drawers. – check to see if doors are square. – use a level to check all surfaces.

Final Adjustments Alignments 1.Some allow for side to side adjustment:  Loosen the screws on the arm of the hinges.  Slide the door toward the middle of the cabinet.  Match up the teeth on the hinge and tighten the screw. 2.For hinge adjustment up and down:  Loosen the hinge screw attached to the door.  Use shims to adjust vertical alignment.  Slide the door up and down until aligned and tighten the screw. 12

Final Adjustments Alignments  If you want a reverse door swing, on square doors just remove the door and attach to opposite side of frame (Certain door styles are not reversible).  Install all pulls and other hardware.  REMEMBER: All hardwood doors are susceptible to splintering when drilled.  DRILL HOLES FIRST.  A touch-up marker can conceal installation problems.

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