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How Are Kitchen Cabinets Attached to the Wall?

How Are Kitchen Cabinets Attached to the Wall?

Have you ever asked yourself, “How are kitchen cabinets attached to the wall?” If so, you’re not alone. Nobody really thinks about their hanging cabinets or becomes curious about the structural details until it’s time to upgrade them or install backsplash material.

Since Cabinet Creations offers some of the most outstanding kitchen remodeling services in Southeast MI, including cabinet installation, we’re the right people to shed some light on the matter. Learn more about your cabinetry and wall attachments with our brief guide below.

How Your Cabinets Stay on the Walls

The simple answer to how kitchen cabinets attach to the wall is screws. Installers typically use cabinet screws to stick cabinets directly into the walls’ studs or similar support structures. Screwing hardware into these studs ensures the cabinets remain in place and handle the weight of anything you put inside them.

However, the longer explanation of how cabinets stay on walls involves the following steps:

#1 Gather Materials

Some of the equipment and tools necessary to install kitchen cabinets include:

  • A stud finder
  • A carpenter’s level
  • Cabinet screws
  • A drill
  • Pencil
  • Plumb bob
  • Tape measurer

#2 Prepare the Kitchen

Get the kitchen ready for cabinet installation by turning off the electrical, gas, and plumbing lines. Then, use the carpenter’s level and plumb bob to find the highest point on your floor. That point will be where you’ll position the cabinets.

A professional will then mark the starting position. From there, they’ll use the level to draw a straight line to where the cabinets will align on the wall.

#3 Find the Wall Studs

Most modern homes have drywall with wood studs as support beams. Installers will usually want to locate those studs by checking for dimples or holes along the kitchen’s baseboards (where the nails going into the studs would be). Another tactic is to use a magnet to find any metal fasteners.

Metal studs are also common. Electronic and magnetic stud finders can pinpoint these locations behind walls.

#4 Dry Fit Cabinets

Dry fitting the cabinets ensures they fit the space precisely.

  • Start with the corner piece.
  • Put the other cabinets against each other according to your kitchen design.
  • Mark the location of each cabinet and label them. Use a pencil. Use the line across the wall as a height reference.

If your walls aren’t plumb, adjust your measurements and use filler strips to seal the gaps.

The Final Step: Attaching the Cabinets to the Wall For Good

Are you ready to install a cabinet? Mark the back of each cabinet and drill a pilot hole. Position it using a cabinet jack and insert the manufacturer’s recommended screws into the stud. And enjoy!

Request a Custom Cabinetry Estimate From Cabinet Creations Today!

How are kitchen cabinets attached to the wall? The best approach is to leave the job for the professionals at Cabinet Creations. As a top cabinet builder across Southeast MI, our expert team can handle everything from designing cabinets to installing kitchen wall decorations.

Let our experienced crew make your kitchen designs a reality—call (248) 453-6391 today to request an estimate from Cabinet Creations!

Kirk Richardson
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