Attach the cabinets to the studs with at least two screws in each mounting rail, while attaching the cabinets to each other with at least four drywall screws. Once all cabinets are securely in place, trim off the exposed shims with a utility knife.
Screwing cabinets together, ganging, use a minimum of three screws, in the uppers, one behind each hinge arm and one in the field. Base cabinets get one in the drawer opening and one behind each hinge arm. Upper cabinets over 36” tall get four screws with two in the field.
Avoid the danger of long screws, but make sure they are long enough. A studfinder may be part of the answer. When you're installing cabinets, it seems like 2-1/2-in. to 3-in. screws are recommended.
That being said, all the cabinets along a wall, bases or upper, should be screwed into each other. For one because it aligns all their faces sonthey don't warp and the doors become wonky, but also so that they all hold each other up.
For the size, a #8 or #10 screw is typically used for cabinets. The gauge will depend on the weight of the cabinet and its contents. Heavier cabinets or those expected to hold much weight will require a thicker gauge screw for increased holding power.
#8 General furniture construction, cabinets, light construction. Good all-purpose. From 5/8" to 3" lengths. #10 General construction, heavy-duty furniture, outdoor projects, decks, lawn furniture, boat building, etc.
Place them out of sight. Perhaps the most obvious way to hide screws is simply locating them where they can't or aren't likely to be seen, such as the underside of a cabinet top or tabletop, shown above, or on the back face of a cabinet.
Installing upper cabinets starts with answering the question: How are kitchen cabinets attached to the wall? Typically, this is done by using a stud finder to locate studs and by drilling wood screws through drywall to attach the cabinet.
There is no right or wrong size to choose, but we do recommend choosing pulls that have at least a 3-3/4" center to center (the distance between the screw holes). This size looks pleasing on most cabinets, while still being large enough to grip comfortably. 5" - 6.5" pulls are also an excellent choice.
Cabinets often contain strips of wood near the top and bottom that should be used to hang the cabinets. Make sure that you drill holes through these pieces of wood. Apply screws. Drive two-inch or three-inch wood screws through the pilot holes into the studs.
Understanding Drywall Screw Spacing
Generally speaking, drywall screws should be placed 8-16 inches apart on each side of a 4×8-foot sheet of drywall. If using a larger sheet of drywall, such as a 4×10 or 4×12, then the screws should be spaced 10-20 inches apart.
What usually looks best is a pull length that is about 1/3 the height of the cabinet door and 1/3 the width of the cabinet drawer. Your eyes follow the length of the pull up the height of the door or across the width of the drawer.
To attach the cabinets to each other, use a No. 8 2¼-inch-long trim-head screw with a fine thread suited for hardwood. This fastener's small-diameter head is unobtrusive, so you don't have to hide it under a cap or wood plug.
Cabinet Screws
Generic cabinet screws are typically available in #8 and #10 sizes. They can be found in a variety of lengths.
Do You Need to Screw Base Cabinets to the Floor? Kitchen cabinets that are freestanding floor cabinets, like an island, should be attached to the floor. Otherwise, cabinets should be attached to the wall.
Always use a drill bit slightly larger than the screw you are using. If the screw does not go in freely, it will strip out and break off inside the drawer or door. A 3/16″ drill bit is recommended for the standard 8/32″ screws.
According to this rule, the length of the pull should be approximately one-third the width of the drawer or cabinet door. This creates a visually pleasing ratio that complements the overall design while maintaining functionality. For example, on a 30-inch-wide drawer, a 10-inch pull would follow the 1/3 rule.
Upper Cabinets: knobs or pulls should be about 2.5 to 3 inches from the bottom edge of the door or drawer. Lower Cabinets: hardware is typically placed between 2.5 to 3 inches from the top edge. Drawers: center the cabinet pull or knob horizontally on the face.
Below are the general rules for installing cabinet door hardware. Install door hardware 1 to 4 inches from the bottom on an upper cabinet door and 1 to 4 inches from the top on a lower cabinet door. Match placement on both upper and lower cabinet doors, using the same measurements for both.
Cabinets can be held up by as little as 1-2 screws. The key is the type of screw, length of screw and if they went into studs or if they went into the cabinets next to them and those are secured to studs. Ultimately, screws need to be in studs somewhere.
Substitute 1/2″ plywood directly behind where the cabinets will be, taping the joints between the drywall and plywood. This will substantially simplify hanging cabinets later - allowing cabinet support screws to be secured wherever it is optimum for the installer.
Drilling into a stud is a necessary skill for any DIY enthusiast or homeowner. Drilling into a stud guarantees a strong and durable attachment, whether you're hanging a large mirror, installing a bookcase, or mounting a television.
In nearly every case, both are just as effective when used in building cabinetry and furniture. The “pocket” refers to the way the joint is held together by the screw. A flat-bottomed hole is drilled at an angle into the piece being attached, creating the “pocket”.