Do you hang upper or lower cabinets first?

Author: Alexandrea Bailey  |  Last update: Sunday, August 20, 2023

Mark Bottom of Wall Cabinets
Mark and label the position of all of the upper cabinets on the wall with a pencil and level to double-check your layout. Plan to install wall kitchen cabinets first. That way, the base cabinets won't be in your way while you're installing the upper cabinets.

Is it better to install upper or lower cabinets first?

Lots of people install the lower cabinets first. Once the lowers are in place, it's easy to use them as a handy shelf for holding tools and for bracing the uppers as you install them. As you see in the video, we like to install the uppers first with nothing underneath them to get in the way.

What order do you install cabinets?

When you're ready to start the project, here are the steps to take.
  1. Prepare the Space.
  2. Mark the Reference Line and High Point Layout Line.
  3. Join the Upper Cabinets.
  4. Hang the Upper Cabinets.
  5. Install the Corner Base Cabinet.
  6. Install the Doors and Toekick.

Where do you start hanging kitchen cabinets?

First, locate the highest point in your floor using your level. Then, using your tape measure, measure up from the floor about 48-inches and use a pencil to mark. Then, using your level, trace a line along the wall. Next, outline where the first cabinet will hang.

Do base cabinets get installed before flooring?

There are pros and cons to each installation order. That said, it is standard for the cabinet to go before the flooring, except under special circumstances as mentioned above.

What comes first? Flooring or Cabinets?

Do base cabinets need to be against the wall?

Leave a space between the cabinet and wall as recommended by the cabinet manufacturer. Shim beneath the cabinet to align it with the top-of-cabinet line you drew on the wall. When determing how to install base cabinets on uneven floors, check for level and plumb, and add shims until the cabinets are at the same level.

How should kitchen cabinets be mounted?

Solved! How to Find the Correct Upper Cabinet Height
  1. The ideal upper cabinet height is 54 inches above the floor. ...
  2. In other words, hang upper cabinets 18 inches above the top of the countertop. ...
  3. Lower the height to 48 inches from the ground to accommodate those with limited mobility.

How many screws do I need to hang a cabinet?

Hang the Upper Cabinets

If it is, drive four 2½-inch deck screws (with washers) through the back of the cabinet, top and bottom, and into the studs. If it's not, slip shims between the cabinet back and the wall at the stud locations.

Why install upper cabinets first?

Always install the upper cabinets before the lower cabinets. This way you won't have to awkwardly work over the lower cabinets, risking damaging them in the process.

Do cabinets go in before or after drywall?

The cabinet guys usually come in after the drywall people are done, the painters are one of the last to visit because of the danger of scuffing the finish by other workers.

Do kitchen cabinets go in before drywall?

If you wait to install the drywall until after the cabinets are in place, you'll spend a lot more time than if you install the drywall first. Once the cabinets are set, you'll have to measure and fit each piece of drywall around the sides and the tops of the cabinets.

Should you put plywood or drywall behind kitchen cabinets?

Plywood and pocket-hole screws make for a clean, sturdy installation. It's always a good idea to have solid blocking behind drywall for fastening upper and lower cabinets.

Do upper cabinets need to align with lower cabinets?

Upper and base cabinets can match if you want them to. However, if you want to add variation to your space, ​​they don't have to match. It's all about the appearance and mood you would like to achieve.

Do kitchen cabinets go to top of ceiling?

Cabinetry in some kitchens ends a foot or two below the ceiling. However, when you install ceiling-height cabinets, there won't be any space at the top. In the past, the gap between the ceiling and the cabinet tops was standard. However, recent years have seen a rise in homeowners opting for the ceiling-height look.

Do you hang cabinets on drywall?

Securely mounting upper cabinets onto drywall can be a little tricky. If you don't hang the cabinets properly, the screws will strip the drywall and slide right off the wall, taking your glasses and dishes down with it. A few simple steps will securely attach your cabinets to the walls and prevent broken-dish mishaps.

At what height do you hang kitchen cabinets?

The standard height for upper cabinets from the floor is 54 inches, or 4 feet and 6 inches. This means the bottom of the upper cabinets should be this far from the floor. This comes from the sum of 34-and-a half-inch base cabinets, a 1-and-a-half inch thick countertop, and an 18-inch backsplash.

What to do before installing cabinets?

Tips to Get Ready for Kitchen Cabinet Installation
  1. Checking Your Cabinets. Before you get started with the installation process, you need to check all of your cabinets for any hidden damage. ...
  2. Clean the Space. ...
  3. Check for Any Uneven Floors. ...
  4. Check for Any Uneven Walls. ...
  5. The Moldings. ...
  6. Appliance Panels. ...
  7. The Final Steps.

How do you attach lower cabinets to the wall?

Drill pilot holes with a countersink / taper bit through the face frames and connect the cabinets with #8 screws. If your wall is bowed, glue shims over the stud lines where you'll secure the mounting screws. This will prevent the cabinet backs from bowing when you drive in the screws.

How much gap should be between base and wall cabinets?

The standard space between the countertop and upper cabinets is around 18 inches. This measurement allows for convenient use of countertop appliances and provides ample space for food preparation.

What is the standard gap between base and wall cabinets?

The distance between the base cabinet (including kitchen countertops) and wall cabinet is normally between 18 and 20 inches. This is low enough to provide easy access to the wall cabinet contents for most people, and still have enough space to keep and use small appliances as well as use the workspace comfortably.

How much space should be between base and wall cabinets?

The upper cabinet height doesn't always have to be installed “standard”. On average, the space between the countertop and the upper cabinets is between 18-22 inches.

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