In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to properly measure a kitchen and install cabinets.
Steps for installing kitchen cabinets
- Mark cabinet layout lines onto the wall.
- Locate wall studs using hammer and finishing nail.
- Mark stud locations onto back of cabinet.
- Drill four holes through back of cabinet, which correspond to the stud locations.
- Set cabinet on cabinet jack, hold cabinet level, then fasten to wall studs with 2 ½-inch drywall screws and finishing washers.
- Check to make sure cabinet is plumb.
- Use jigsaw to cut vent-hood hole in cabinet that goes over the stove.
- Clamp next cabinet to the first installed cabinet, then screw it to wall studs.
- Fasten the two cabinets together with 1 1/4-inch screws.
- Hold 6-foot level across face of cabinets; if necessary, add shims at wall to align cabinets.
- Lay base cabinets on floor, facing up, and clamp together.
- Fasten together base cabinets with 1 ¼-inch pan-head screws.
- Slip shims between cabinets to maintain uniform width.
- Use hammer to snap off excess shims.
- Set base cabinets in place and check height to countertop layout line; cut filler strip to match discrepancy.
- Move base cabinets, set filler strip on floor.
- Level filler strip, then screw to floor with 3-inch drywall screws.
- Screw back of base cabinets to wall studs.
