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Kitchen Overhaul: Breakfast Bar, Tile Floor, Cabinets and Backsplash A dated kitchen gets the Sweat Equity treatment with tile flooring, new cabinets and backsplash. Check out more value-enhancing projects from Sweat Equity From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-213

(Continued from page 2)

The completed cabinet install

Project 3: Hanging Kitchen Cabinets

Joan and Eddy continue updating their kitchen by hanging the cabinets. Cabinets vary in style and can range in price from around $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Joan saved money without sacrificing style by selecting stock maple cabinets for $5400.

Following is a summary of the steps as seen in this project, along with a list of tools and materials used.

Materials:

prefabricated wood cabinets
measuring tape
cabinet jack(optional)
wall saw
2x4 ledger board cut to length
power drill
spade bits (if needed to fit cabinets over water lines)
jig saw (if needed to fit cabinets over larger pipes)
level
wood screws
shims
clamps
template (optional for perfectly placed drawer pulls and knobs)

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

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Tips for Installing Cabinets

• Consult a kitchen designer to get exact measurements of your space and to experiment with layout. Measurements must allow room for the placement of the sink, appliances and outlets.

• It's easy to "ding up" new cabinet doors or drawers while installing them. So, remove the doors and drawers beforehand and store them in a safe place till you're done.

• Install upper cabinets first to avoid leaning over base cabinets.

• You should recruit a helper to hold the hanging cabinets in place while you screw them in.
  

  	Figure M
  	Figure N
  	Figure O

  
  Steps:

  1. Cabinets must be anchored to studs in the kitchen walls. Once ready to attach, the first step for installation is to locate the studs and mark both edges of the studs in pencil.

  2. Next, determine the bottom reference line for the upper cabinets. Generally this line should be about 18" to 20" in between the bottom of the upper cabinets and the top of the countertop installed later. This provides adequate room for cooking and appliances. Based on this dimension, determine the height of the bottom reference line and use a level to mark it along the wall to create a reference line (figure M).

  3. Line up the top of a 2" x 4" ledger board to the reference line (figure N). Double check with a level and screw the board into the wall studs with 2-1/2" screws. This will serve as a temporary ledge for resting the cabinets and maintain a level orientation while installing the upper cabinets.

  4. Install the first cabinet section in a corner by resting it on the ledger board (figure O). Drill pilot holes through the back frame of the unit. Make sure the pilot holes line up with the studs in the wall. Using 2-1/2" screws, secure the cabinet to the wall with a top and bottom screw for each stud that the cabinet spans. Do not completely tighten the screws in place until shimmed into the proper position.

  5. Using wood shims if needed, make sure the face and side of the cabinet are plumb using a bubble level. Once it is in the proper position, tighten all the screws. Detach the ledger board as needed and continue down the line.

  6. Use a chisel or utility knife to cut off any protruding shims.

  7. Put the next cabinet in place. Again, you need to shim it into position and make sure it is plumb. Also, make sure the faces of the two cabinets are flush with each other. Using clamps, pull the two adjacent cabinet frames together. Using long screws, secure the cabinets together through the faces.

  8. Once the upper cabinets are properly attached, it's the time to install the base cabinets.

  9. The final step is to disguise joints with moldings or filler pieces and the reattach the cabinet doors. If desired, drawer pulls and knobs can give your cabinets added appeal.
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 1: Tiling the Floor Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 2: Building the Cabinets Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 3: Granite Tile Countertops Custom-Cabinets Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 4: Value Boosts and Final Tally Kitchen Makeover Pt. 1: Installing Crown Molding Kitchen Makeover Pt. 2: Refinishing Cabinets Kitchen Makeover Pt. 3: Installing a Brick Backsplash Kitchen Makeover, Pt. 4: Finished Kitchen and Final Tally Kitchen Demolition, Pt. 3: Installing a Backsplash Tiling the Backsplash Modernized Kitchen: How to Install a Backsplash

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Kitchen Overhaul: Breakfast Bar, Tile Floor, Cabinets and Backsplash