With the bathroom tile finished, the kitchen-installer crew prepares to begin installing the upper and base kitchen cabinets. The process begins with installation of the upper cabinets, then moves on to the base cabinets. A kitchen peninsula is also included in the plans.
The base cabinets will need to be installed so that they are raised up 3/4" above the subfloor -- to match the height of the finished hardwood floor once it is installed.
- The kitchen installers begin by using a level to mark the locations of the wall and base cabinets (figure A). They also remove the cabinet doors to make the individual cabinet units easier to work with and install. The doors will be replaced once the cabinets are mounted in place. In addition, the installers use a spade bit to drill a hole in the back of the upper corner cabinet to accommodate the electrical wiring for the under-cabinet lights that will be installed later.
- The upper corner cabinet is installed first. It is lifted into place, and the preinstalled electrical wire is fed through the hole at the back of the cabinet. Next, the cabinet is attached to the log wall (figure B) using wood screws.
- With the second cabinet lifted and held in place, the installers clamp it to the first cabinet using quick-release bar clamps (figure C). This will hold it stable while it is being fastened to the wall and corner cabinet.
- After making certain that the edges of the two cabinets line up perfectly, the installers drill a pilot hole through the framework, then secure the two cabinets together (figure D) with stainless-steel wood screws.
- Once the second cabinet is adjusted so that it is perfectly level, the installers attach it to the wall (figure E) using specialized 2-1/2" wood screws.
- These steps are repeated for all of the cabinet units: placing the cabinet, leveling, predrilling, then securing to the adjoining cabinet with wood screws.
- Before installing the last upper cabinet, the installers measure and cut a filler strip for the gap between the side of the cabinet and the wall. The filler strip is glued to the cabinet using wood glue. A pilot hole is then drilled so that the filler strip can be further secured to the cabinet using wood screws (figure F ).
- The installers hold the open-shelf unit against the corner cabinet (figure G) and attach it using a nail gun.
- They then reinstall two of the cabinet doors (figure H) and make a few minor adjustments on the hinges to ensure that the doors hang and open properly.
- For attaching crown molding at the top of the cabinets (figure I), measurements are taken and a decision is made for the width of the molding's overhang at the top of the cabinets. Strips of molding are cut precisely to length for each section of cabinet using a power miter saw. Installing the molding is a time-consuming process since each section must be carefully fitted and clamped before it is attached using both wood glue and nails.
- Once the molding is done, a bead of light-colored caulk is applied in the groove between the upper cabinet and molding to conceal the seam (figure J).
- The same style of beveled molding is also installed along the bottom of the upper cabinets (figure K) to conceal the under-cabinet lights that will be installed later. The process is the same as for the crown molding: measure carefully, cut segments to length, then glue and nail the sections of molding in place.
- The final step is to reinstall the rest of the cabinet doors.
In the following segment, base cabinets are installed in the kitchen.
RESOURCES :
Log Home Repair and Restoration Services
Log Home Repair and Restoration Services
Website: www.loghomerepair.com
The Complete Guide to Building Log Homes
ISBN: 0806974869
Author: Monte Burch, Richard J. Meyer, Lloyd P. Birmingham
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Small Log Homes: Storybook Plans and Advice
ISBN: 1586850431
Author: Robbin Obomsawin
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
Inside Log Homes: The Art & Spirit of Home Planning and Decor
Model: 087905963X
Author: Cindy Teipner Thiede, et al
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
Special thanks for DIY's Log Cabin Interiors workshop
Formica Corp.
10155 Reading Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45241
Toll-free: 800-FORMICA (800-367-6422)
Fax: 513-786-3024
Website: www.formica.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
