If your kitchen cabinets are looking shabby or you’re just looking for more space, it may be time to install new cabinets.
The first step is to determine what amount of space you have for the cabinets and where you want them to go.
If you purchase a pre-made kit and have a normal kitchen setup, you should be able to fit the cabinets in without too much difficulty. But you may have to customize the shelves if you have a confined space.
Lowe’s has a kitchen renovation planner on its Web site at lowes.com to help you decide what is best for your situation. There are two basic types of cabinets – wall cabinets and base cabinets. Hammerzone.com offers some tips for deciding what works best for you.
Once you have the measurements, you can mark the outline with a pencil on the walls. You can draw straight lines by following a level on the wall.
A tutorial at www.hometime.com suggests marking the positions of the wall studs so you can better ensure that the cabinets are securely fastened. If installing different types of cabinets, start with the ones on top and in the corners, the tutorial recommends.
You may have to drill additional holes in the shelves for electrical or other cords.
The base of a wall cabinet is usually 54 inches from the floor, according to a tutorial at yourcompletehome.com. The tutorial recommends two methods for installing cabinets – nailing a ledger board, a 1-inch by 3-inch stabilizer, about the length of the cabinet underneath it to support the cabinet or using a custom support system before fastening them to the walls.
Thisoldhouse.com has a detailed tutorial with how to connect the components of the cabinets together for installation, how to add doors and how to put on the finishing touches to make your cabinets look great.
Do you have a home improvement question or suggestion for something that has worked for you? If so, we’d love to hear it. The home improvement tip runs on Wednesdays. Send your questions and comments to nmixter@svnewspapers.
com or call (408) 842-6400 and ask for Nathan Mixter.
