door and cabinet hardware

If you are thinking about replacing your kitchen cabinets, you’re not alone. In the United States, the demand for kitchen cabinets is projected to grow by 17.1 billion by 2021. To update your cabinets, you first need to choose the style and make sure that you have all the required door and cabinet hardware, most of which can either be bought alongside the cabinets or picked up from hardware suppliers. Some people also opt to purchase soft close cabinet door hinges or self-closing options if the cabinets they chose don’t come with these options. Cabinet locks are also something to consider, especially if you have small children. When installing cabinets, make sure you have the door and cabinet hardware that you want to ensure you won’t be redoing the project if you decide on alternative hinges.

Measure and Mark

To begin, measure the height of your base cabinets and add 1 to 1 ½ of an inch for a countertop. If you’re adding a backsplash, add an additional 18 inches. Once you have these measurements, draw a line at the measurement point and use this as a guide for hanging cabinets. Be sure and use a level to make sure the line is absolutely straight.

Next, use a stud finder to find where your wall studs are located. These are essential for ensuring cabinets are properly supported when installed. You should also keep in mind where electrical lines and plumbing run if either is close to where you’ll be installing the new cabinets.

Securing a Ledger Board

A ledger board should be screwed into the studs for temporary support while you are installing your cabinets. Make sure the cabinet doors are removed to make them lighter and easier to handle during the install.

Hanging the Cabinets

Start by attaching two cabinets at a time to the ledger board. Use clamps to fix the cabinets together and ensure that they are flush. Once fixed, secure the cabinets at the stile, one on both the top and bottom where the cabinets meet. Once done, lift the cabinets and level them.

When you’ve achieved the correct level, begin securing the cabinets into the wall at the stud points you’ve marked. To do this, predrill the screws into the thicker frame pieces along the top part of the cabinet. Continue repeating this process until you have secured all cabinets in their correct places. If there is a gap between the wall and the final cabinet, consider using a filer bar to close the space. These are usually supplied by the manufacturer of the cabinets.

When all the cabinets are in place, use the door and cabinet hardware to finish setting them up. Once the hardware is in place, remove the ledger board.

Base Cabinets

Fit cabinets into their places and check to see if they are level, if they aren’t, shim them until they reach the correct levels. Once a level fit has been achieved, predrill the framing piece into the marked studs and secure it in place. Continue this process until all are installed and secure. When done, use your door and cabinet hardware to attach doors and knobs.

Before undergoing an install, ensure that all appropriate safety precautions are taken, and measure everything twice so that you won’t end up with crooked or mismatched cabinets. Once everything is complete, you can sit back and enjoy your new beautiful cabinets.