| Conventional wisdom says the correct way regarding | | | | REINSTALL the uppers that it affected. This is a total |
| how to install kitchen cabinets is from the top down. | | | | waste of time. |
| Guide books and TV shows will tell you exactly how | | | | WHAT ABOUT KEEPING YOUR CABINETS AND |
| to install kitchen cabinets - you're supposed to start | | | | COUNTERTOPS SAFE? |
| with the uppers first. | | | | Okay, let's say you want to install the base cabinets |
| If you have to, or you've done this before and feel | | | | first, but are afraid you are going to drop a screw gun |
| comfortable with it, stick with it. It obviously works for | | | | on the cabinets or countertop underneath you. |
| you. | | | | There is a simple solution - put blankets down. |
| However, having installed cabinets for a living for 15 | | | | If, after you install the bases and countertops you just |
| years (and over 400 of them) it wasn't a good fit for | | | | do this simple thing, you can easily use the countertop |
| me. | | | | for extra work space, and/or use the bases to |
| IS THERE A BETTER WAY? ACTUALLY THERE | | | | actually help you install the uppers, while still keeping |
| ARE TWO WAYS! | | | | them safe. |
| What about working from the ground up? What if, and | | | | T-JAK, OR ANY KIND OF SIMILAR JACK, WILL |
| this is a radical idea in the world of TV, you install and | | | | WORK WONDERS |
| level the base cabinets - first? | | | | I always installed the bases first, then the countertop. I |
| In thinking about how to install kitchen cabinets, and | | | | then used a T-JAK to hold up the upper cabinets. If |
| actually doing it, I found this to be easy and much | | | | you don't have one and are going to be doing a lot of |
| faster. I never installed cabinets any other way. | | | | work, they are worth the investment and will run you |
| Leveling cabinets and getting it right, is the hardest part | | | | around $70. If you get handy with them, you can just |
| in installing kitchen cabinets. If you find the lowest spot | | | | about install all your cabinets by yourself. |
| in the room, you can decide if and where you will need | | | | Your local contractor or dry-waller may have one they |
| to shim cabinets up, or cut them down. | | | | would rent or borrow to you, especially if they are |
| It really is easier doing this with the bases first, then just | | | | doing some work in your home. |
| measuring up from those perfectly leveled bases | | | | If you can't find one, it is still beneficial to install the |
| (usually 18" from the top of the countertop - to allow | | | | bases first. You can use a small, regular jack, or find |
| for today's coffee makers and mixers) and installing | | | | help to lift and hold those cabinets for you (which you |
| your uppers. | | | | would have to do anyway if you were installing the |
| HOW TO INSTALL KITCHEN CABINETS - | | | | uppers first). |
| REASONS TO START AT THE TOP | | | | These are just some things to think about when you |
| - You can get under the uppers and hold them up (it | | | | are deciding how to install kitchen cabinets. |
| may be easier for some to do it this way). | | | | TOOLS AND SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED TO |
| - You don't have to worry about scratching the | | | | INSTALL KITCHEN CABINETS |
| countertop once it's installed. | | | | - A good level. |
| - You don't have to worry about dropping a screw | | | | - Tape measurer and pencils. |
| gun or other tool on the cabinets beneath you. | | | | - Blankets or other covering to protect your floor, |
| - You can almost just push the cabinets up to the | | | | countertops, and cabinets if needed. |
| ceiling (if you have 8' ceilings and 42" uppers) and | | | | - A drill and appropriate drill bits. |
| you're done. | | | | - A screw gun and appropriate bits. |
| HOW TO INSTALL KITCHEN CABINETS - THE | | | | - Screws (may possibly need 1/2" to 4", most common |
| CONS OF INSTALLING UPPERS FIRST | | | | is 2 1/2"). I always used the square drive screws or |
| In deciding how to install kitchen cabinets, let's say you | | | | combo. |
| discovered you need to shim up and cut down (which | | | | - Extension cords. |
| is what you usually end up doing). Now let's say that | | | | - Stud finder. |
| you installed the uppers first. They are fixed to the wall. | | | | - Ladders |
| Do you really know where those bases are going to | | | | - Belt Sander. |
| end up? What if you calculated wrong? By the way, | | | | - Vacuum Cleaner. |
| I've found doing it this way and trying to figure out | | | | - 3/4" thick x 2" or 3" wide lengths of some type of |
| where the bases will really end up is a bit more | | | | wood, pine strips, or particle board to attach to top of |
| complex and a lot more time consuming than just | | | | bases so you can attach countertops from |
| putting the bases in first - why make your life harder? | | | | underneath (if installing laminate or solid surface |
| If you calculated wrong, you may end up tearing out | | | | countertops - if you are installing granite or quartz, you'll |
| the uppers you just put up. You have to be careful | | | | have to beef it up a bit more in certain areas - and |
| and not cut too much off of base cabinets (if need be) | | | | may need to use 2x4's). |
| to compensate if you make a mistake. Dishwashers | | | | - T-Jak (if you have one available). |
| need so much room from the floor to the countertop. | | | | - Nail gun. |
| They are somewhat adjustable, but... what if? It is | | | | - Staple Gun (to install corner blocks, or add corner |
| easier to cut some off the top of the upper cabinets | | | | blocks if needed). |
| and cover it up with top trim (yes, nobody is perfect), | | | | - Small air compressor (to install top trim and toe kick |
| or fudge by having less space (or more) between the | | | | with your nail gun). |
| countertops and the upper cabinets. | | | | - Chop Saw (for top trim and toe kick) and stand (if |
| Here is another scenario that makes for a lot more | | | | you have one - it makes it easier). |
| work and time wasted: | | | | TOOLS YOU MAY NEED |
| What if you are like so many people out there and | | | | - Jig saw and blades. |
| you have an appliance garage, or something that sits | | | | - Electric planer. |
| on top of the countertops? Appliance garages are | | | | - Hammer Drill (if going into cement). |
| often separate pieces that are fit in after the cabinets | | | | - Wood putty to fill in any small gaps or holes |
| are installed, but mine weren't. I had a custom cabinet | | | | - Laser level (if you have one or can borrow one - |
| shop, and in custom shops the appliance garage is | | | | they save a lot of time). |
| usually built in one piece, as part of the upper cabinet. | | | | Don't be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. You |
| If your appliance garage is built like this, and you install | | | | may safe yourself hours of work! Plus, you'll enjoy |
| the uppers first, and then the bases, you will have to | | | | installing your kitchen cabinets a lot more. |
| tear down the uppers to get the countertops in, and | | | | |