Installation Guide

3. Pre-installation of cabinetry
Remove existing cabinets, base boards and other objects on the wall area where cabinets are to be installed.
4. Preparing for installation
Locate electric, plumbing or gas lines running behind the walls. Openings may
need to be cut in the back panel of the cabinet(s) to accommodate utilities before
installation. Avoid accidentally damaging existing utilities during installation. Mark
the location of all the studs on the walls that are to support the new cabinets. It is
critical that cabinets are firmly attached to pre-located wall studs. Be sure to
avoid electric, plumbing, gas lines or other utilities that might be behind the wall when
locating the studs and when drilling into the wall or driving a screw.
Houses can become unlevel due to settling and shifting. It is important to determine
where the highest point in the floor is along the walls slated for cabinet installation.
Check the floor with a level to determine the highest point.
Using a chalk line or straight edge, draw a level line at 34-1/2 on the wall from the
highest point on the floor where the new base cabinets will be installed. This line
establishes the base cabinet height. Now measure the overall height of the specified
cabinetry from the same location on the floor. Draw a similar level line on the wall where
the wall/tall cabinets will be installed. This line establishes the top of the overall cabinet
height. See Illustration B.
5. Installing the base cabinets
If the preference is to install upper cabinets first, skip this step and proceed to Step 6. Once Step 6 is complete, return to Step 5 for
base cabinet installation. As with all base and wall cabinets, any necessary cut-outs for utilities such as plumbing, electricity or gas
should be made in the back of the cabinets prior to installation. Measure utility location carefully and transfer the information to
the back of the cabinetry.
Helpful Hints:
Ʌ Always pre-fit the cabinets before permanently securing them, as having to change screw locations will
leave unwanted holes in the cabinets.
Ʌ For Blind Corner installations, the cabinet doors must clear hardware on adjacent cabinetry or appliances.
Pull cabinetry far enough from wall “B” (distance “X”) to allow proper clearance. See Illustration C
Ʌ Install strapping or blocks on wall to support countertop in corners if needed. See Illustration D
Start with the corner cabinet (if applicable). Slide the cabinet into the desired corner and determine
if it needs to be shimmed up to the previously drawn line (34-1/2). Level as necessary with shims,
remembering the finished toe kick panel will cover the shims after it is applied. Check the top
with a level and adjust the shims accordingly. When the corner cabinet is level, secure it through
the cabinet back and hanger rails, if applicable, into the pre-located wall studs using 2-1/2 round
washer head screws (Use 3-1/2 round washer head screws for Wall Hung Vanities and cabinets
with Prep for Wall Hung Modification). Depending upon the framing and construction of the wall,
the Installer assumes responsibility for the use of appropriate installation screws.
Counter top supports
24"
24"
Wall B
Filler
Adjacent
cabinet
Right side shows
Wood
corner cabinet
X Wall A
Install strapping on wall
to support countertop
Base corner cabinet installation:
when a base corner cabinet is not
up against another cabinet, a panel
may be installed to close in the side.
Blind corner installation:
pull blind corner cabinet far enough
from wall B, (distance x) to allow
the cabinet door to clear hardware
on adjacent cabinet or appliance.
Illustration C
Illustration D
Typical end section
24"
18"
30"
12"
84"
54"
34 1/2"
36"
Wall cabinet
bottom line
54" up from
highest point
Mark Center line
of wall studs
Mark Center line
of wall studs
Corner out
of square
High point
of oor
Shallow point of wall
Top View
of Room
Wall cabinet top
line at 84" up from
highest point. 30"
tall wall cabinets.
34 1/2”
up from
highest point
Illustration B