Kitchen Cabinet Installation Without Soffits

Tools

• Do-it-yourselfers looking to pull down existing cabinets and put up new ones will need a few specific tools and supplies to do so. Basic tools include a hammer, pry bar, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, a tape measure and a level. Additionally, you will need a saw and a drill with a 3/16-inch bit. Wood screws, both #8 by 2-½ inches and #10 by 2-½ inches, finish nails, wood shims, a stud finder and a miter box will help the installation run as smoothly as possible. The installation process is going to be the same whether kitchen soffits are present or not.

Pre-hanging Process

• Prior to hanging new cabinets, removing existing pieces and repairing damaged or uneven spots in walls and floors is a must. The first step is to shut off all power, water and utility lines to prevent serious injury. Appliances, including the refrigerator, range, dishwasher and sink, should all be removed. If they are going back into the space, they should be removed from the room and covered to prevent scratches and dents. Old cabinets, countertops and moldings are next, followed by correcting dents, dings and unevenness in floors and walls. Walls and floors should be plumb, a trait especially important in the areas where cabinets will be located.

Installation

• Installing cabinets without a soffit involves the same process as installing with a soffit. Instead of lining up with the soffit, these pieces are placed just about anywhere along the wall. It is a setup that will work for most spaces, and since the cabinets can be placed at any level, gives maximum use of the shelving space. Cabinets must be screwed directly into studs, which you can locate with an electronic stud finder or by manually tracking them from outlets. Corner cabinets are installed first, using #10 by 2-½-inch truss-head screws attached to studs. The remaining wall cabinets and fillers are next followed by the base cabinets. Base cabinets should also be started at the corners and require the same screws as overhead cabinets. Once the corner cabinets are installed, the other base cabinets and fillers follow. Corner blind or easy-reach corner cabinets require a bit more know-how than standard corner pieces to install properly, and will require shimming and securing with #8 by 2-½-inch wood screws.

Final Touches

• Once all the cabinets are installed, countertops, molding and trim are applied. For a kitchen without a soffit, crown moldings are an ideal way to fill gaps between the cabinet and ceiling. These pieces are available in a large variety of colors, styles and sizes, and are fairly inexpensive and easy to install. Attaching doors and hardware is the final step and may require several tweaks to get everything perfectly aligned. Most often, if doors or drawers aren't lining up, screws simply aren't tight enough or the hinge isn't quite right. If the problem persists, the cabinet is likely out of square and will require plumbing with shims.