You've just moved into a wonderful new home and you cannot wait to start making it your own. One of the easiest home improvements the first time home owner may encounter is installing new cabinets. While the thought of such a major addition to a room may at first seem daunting to all of us who have never consider ourselves carpenters, installing a brand new set of cabinets is easy enough for almost anyone with a few tools to accomplish in a very short amount of time.
You want to start out by making sure that you have all the tools you will need to complete this project. To install a basic set of cabinets all you need is a good level, a pencil, a tape measure, a stud finder and a drill. Depending on how high you are planning to install the cabinets, you may also want a small step ladder to reach higher places.
The first tool you will need is your stud finder. Work your way along the wall until you find the studs that you will use to support the weight of your cabinets. For each stud you will want to mark both the left and right edge. Using your tape measure, make a mark on the center point of each stud. This will allow you to mount your cabinets on the sturdiest portion of your wall. Now that you have located the studs, you should decide exactly where you want the cabinets to be placed. Using your tape measure, determine the exact dimensions of your cabinets. You may find it helpful to lightly draw the outline of your cabinets directly onto the wall. You should also draw vertical lines through the center of your studs that extend at least six inches above and below where your cabinets will hang. This will allow you to find the studs once the cabinet is on the wall.
Now you will want to attach a short term 1 x 3 support rail to the wall. The top of the support rail should be level and flush with the bottom of where you want your cabinets to sit. Using your drill, attach the support rail to the wall. This short term rail will aid in holding the weight and location of your cabinets while you get them in place.
You are now ready to install your cabinets. With the help of a friend, lift the cabinets into place. Drill pilot holes through the cabinet back and into the wall studs. You should screw the cabinet into the wall using screws that are long enough to go at least 1 ½ inches into the studs. After setting your first set off screws, use your level to check that the cabinets are properly aligned. Make your way down the studs adding several more sets of studs to make sure that your cabinets are safe and secure.
You are almost finished. After making sure that your cabinets are secure in the location that you want them, you can go ahead and remove the support rail from the wall. You should also erase any pencil marks that you have made that still show once the cabinets are in place. Now you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new cabinets. Installing new cabinets is a super easy and inexpensive way to start improving your new space and making it into a home.
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