How to Frame a Cabinet Opening

Make the Frame

• 1

  Cut two lengths of 1-by-2 lumber that equal the length of the cabinet for the top and bottom of the frame.

• 2

  Place the lengths of lumber on the upper and lower edges of the cabinet front, on center. Measure the vertical distance between the two pieces of lumber so you can later cut the sidepieces.

• 3

  Cut out two sidepieces for the cabinet frame out of 1-by-2 lumber using the vertical measurement you previously took.

• 4

  Cut an additional length of lumber for each shelf in the cabinet using 1-by-2 lumber, if necessary. The frame pieces for the shelves in the cabinet will equal the length of the upper or lower cabinet frame piece, minus 3 inches. You will place the pieces of lumber for the shelves within the frame.

• 5

  Place the pieces of wood for the sides of the frame wrong side up. If the wood is dark, place a strip of masking tape along the ends facing the inside of the frame so you can see your pencil marks well. Repeat this process for the pieces of lumber you will use for the top and bottom of the frame.

• 6

  Square the pieces of wood for the top and bottom of the frame above and beneath the sidepieces, and ensure that the outer edges are flush. Mark the location of where the sidepieces touch the horizontal parts of the frame.

• 7

  Place the pieces of lumber that will frame the shelves, if appropriate, horizontally within the frame. Use the cabinet’s dimensions to ensure their correct placement. Mark the points where the horizontal pieces touch the sides of the frame.

• 8

  Make pocket hole guides on the short ends of the sidepieces and the inner horizontal pieces of the frame. To do this, make pencil marks that are 3/8 inch in from both sides.

• 9

  Line up a pocket hole jig with the guidelines you made and drill two pocket holes into the wrong side of the frame pieces, which include the horizontal and sidepieces. You will not drill pocket holes into the ends of the top and bottom pieces of the frame.

• 10

  Place a bead of wood glue on each end of the sidepieces and line them up with the top and bottom pieces of the frame so the outer edges are square and flush. Then add glue to the ends of the inner horizontal pieces and place them within the frame, lining them up with the guidelines you previously made. As you do this, make sure that the side of the lumber with the pocket holes face upward. The wrong side of the top and bottom pieces of the frame should also face upward. Use clamps to hold the pieces of wood together.

• 11

  Drive a pocket hole screw with a self-tapping point into each pocket hole. This will secure one part of the frame to the adjoining piece of lumber.

Secure the Frame onto the Cabinet

• 12

  Make pocket hole guidelines along the outer edge of the cabinet carcass. You should make a line 1 inch from each corner of the frame, followed by additional lines spaced 6 inches on center.

• 13

  Line up the pocket hole jig with the lines you drew and use a drill to create pocket holes along the sides of the cabinet carcass.

• 14

  Place a bead of wood glue along the front edges of the cabinet carcass.

• 15

  Clamp the frame into place over the front of the cabinet carcass. Then secure the frame to the cabinet unity using pocket hole screws.

• 16

  Place pocket hole plugs into the pocket holes on the sides of the cabinet that will be visible upon installation.