Are you thinking about remodelling your kitchen or replacing your kitchen cabinets? Understanding how cabinets are installed can give you, the homeowner, a peace of mind.

Step 1: Measuring and marking the Wall.

The base cabinets’ height is measured. (Most standard cabinets are 34.5 in. high.) An additional 1.5 in. is calculated for a standard countertop and another 18-20 in. for a backsplash. If you plan to place small appliances on the countertop, then a 20-inch backsplash is preferable. With an 18-in. backsplash, the total measurement would be 54 inches from the floor to the bottom of the upper cabinets.

If your floor is not level, the highest point along the wall should be the starting point of measurement.

Step 2: Support board is secured

Next, the support (ledger) board is screwed into the marked studs to temporarily support the weight of the cabinets during the installation. The cabinet doors and hardware can be removed to make them lighter and easier to install.

Step 3: Wall cabinets are hung

Cabinets are attached together and then safely lifted and secured to the support board. Clamps are used to fix the stiles—the vertical pieces on the face of the cabinet frames—together. Then, the two cabinets are pre-drilled and secured together at the stile using screws. Screws are affixed in all four corners where the two cabinets meet. This ensures a secure fit.

Once the cabinets are plumb and level, they are secured into the wall at the studs.

This process is repeated until all the wall cabinets are installed.

Step 4: Base cabinets are installed

Base cabinets are installed as close to the high point as possible, making it easier to shim under the cabinets to make them level if necessary, rather than starting on a low point and having to trim the bottoms of the cabinets.