How to Hang Kitchen Cabinets

By: Tim Snyder, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Carcass
"Look for a good, heavy box, one with a thick solid back to screw securely to the wall," says Tom. He favors plywood over particleboard of MDF

2. Finishes
Catalyzed lacquers or conversion varnishes are toughest

3. Fasteners
Screws are best, but staples ad brads are typically used

4. Drawers
Dovetail joints and fully extending drawer slides are best

5. Hinges
Cup hinges, also known as European or concealed hingers are eay to adjust

6. Hardwood glue
for securing trim joints

7. Wood shims
for making cabinets plumb and level

8. 2 1/2-inch deck screws with washers
for anchoring cabinets to studs (drywall screws can snap)

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Cordless drill with bit set
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Hammer
- Chalk line
- Tape measure
- Folding rule
- Bubble level
- Block plane
- Compass
- Bar clamps
- Utility knife
- Chisel
- Framing square
- Ladder
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tom silva reattaching paned doors to wood kitchen cabinet

Photo: David Carmack

7. Replace doors, install toekick

Reinstall the cabinet doors. For overlay doors, which cover the cabinet frame, adjust the hinges so that the doors hang straight. For an inset door, adjust the hinges so door is flush with the face frame and so there's an even reveal (gap) around its perimeter. Using 1-inch brads, fasten the toekick trim to the base cabinets. Fit the longest pieces first, then cut and install the shorter pieces. Close any gaps between the floor and trim by scribing, or cover them by brad-nailing a shoe molding to the floor. Recess the nail heads with a nail set and cover them with wood putty or color-matched wax stick. If there's crown molding to trim out the upper cabinets, miter the joints at outside corners; cope the joints at inside corners. Align the molding's bottom edge with a level layout line marked above the tops of the doors. Fasten the molding to the cabinet with 1- to 2-inch finish nails. Glue the molding's end joints. Recess the nailheads with a nail set and cover them with wood putty or color-matched wax stick.