You can dramatically improve the look of your kitchen--and increase your home's resale value--by replacing outdated cabinets. Here's how. Materials:
Measuring tape
Level
Phillips- and flat-head screwdrivers
Wooden shims
Stud sensor
Drill, with drill bits
2" x 4" board
Hole saw
Decorative molding
Hammer
Finish nails
Safety glasses
Beginning the Project - Remove the cabinets, and repair any holes in the walls. If you plan to install new vinyl flooring, do so while the cabinets are out of the room. If you plan to install a marble, tile or wood floor, find some plywood the same thickness that your new floor will be. Lay the plywood under the base cabinets to serve as a reference for how high they'll be when the new floor is installed.
- Locate the highest point of the floor. Use the level around the room. Keep in mind that not all floors are perfectly level. The high point is the area that will serve as a reference for installing the cabinets. All other cabinets will be shimmed to match the height of the cabinets at the high point.
- Check whether the floor slopes toward or away from the wall.
- From the high point of the floor, measure up 34" and draw a level line on the wall. The top of each cabinet will be flush with the line.
- Measure up 84" from the high point of the floor to determine where the tops of the cabinets will go. Draw a level reference line at that height. If you have soffits or a low ceiling, the cabinets may be mounted directly against the ceiling or soffit. Measure 30" from the low point of the ceiling, and draw a level reference line for the bottoms of the cabinets.
- Start in a corner, if possible, and draw vertical lines to indicate the placement of each cabinet.
- Use a stud sensor to locate and mark the studs behind the wall. Mark the studs above the line for the base cabinets and below the line for the top cabinets.
- Attach a temporary rail to help support each cabinet as you install it (figure A).
Tips: - Before you purchase a set of cabinets, make sure that the joints are strong and the corner braces are made of wood (figure B).
- Nice amenities include doors with concealed spring hinges, pull-out trays and wine-glass racks.
- Before you begin installing new cabinets, separate the base cabinets from the wall cabinets so you can install the latter first. Then you won't have to lean over base cabinets to install the wall cabinets.
- Remove the doors from top cabinets before you install them so they'll be lighter and easier to handle.
Hanging Wall Cabinets and Installing Base Cabinets - Hang your first wall cabinet in a corner if possible. Drill a pilot hole from inside the cabinet in the area where it will line up with a wall stud. Drill through the mounting rail at the top of the cabinet rather than the thin panel wall in back.
- Secure the cabinet to the wall with 2 1/2" wood screws. Because you'll be screwing through hardwood, you may want to coat your screws with paraffin or soap to make them go in easier. Don't tighten the screws all the way until you're sure the cabinet is plumb. Use shims to adjust the cabinet as necessary, and finish tightening the screws.
- Hang the second cabinet beside the first, and clamp the sides of the cabinets together so that they're flush (figure C). Screw the cabinets together with wood screws.
- Hang the remaining cabinets in the same manner. Install the shelving, and replace the doors.
- Install the base cabinets, starting beneath the first wall cabinet you installed. Drill pilot holes through the back of the cabinet, and secure it to the wall with screws. Shim the cabinets from the bottom as needed to make them plumb and level with the reference line.
- To accommodate drains and water lines, measure from the reference line to the top and bottom of the drain and water supply pipes and from the side of the adjacent cabinet to both sides of the drain (figure D). Transfer the measurements to the back of the cabinet, and drill the appropriate holes with a hole saw.
- Screw the decorative end panels in place.
- Use decorative molding to cover any gaps between the cabinets and the walls and ceiling (figure E).
RESOURCES :
Yorkshire cabinets, Signature series
Yorktowne Kitchens
Red Lion, PA 17356-0231
Phone: 717-244-4011
Fax: 717-244-5497
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