Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When Your Need to Install Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Installing a custom kitchen cabinet system is a labor-intensive project that requires the help of a second person to assist with the lifting and placement of cabinets. A 2-person team is better able to keep the cabinets level and in place while you are affixing them to the wall.

Pre-drill the Upper Unit Face Frame

To begin, pre-drill holes in the face frames of the cabinets and drive deck or wood screws into the adjoining cabinet unit's face frame. Using clamps help to hold the cabinets together while driving the screws in between the cabinets. You will need to have some scrap wood available for the end pieces of the end units to keep them from moving prior to installation.

Prepare the Wall for the Upper Cabinets

Before placement, use a level to draw a plum line across where the cabinets will be hung. In addition, if there is any electrical that needs to be drawn into the cabinet, like lighting, drill holes to pull the wiring through as you prepare to mount the upper unit. Nail a 2x4 temporary support stud across the length of the wall that is where the bottom lip of the cabinet will rest. This will provide some relief for your assistant and help you keep the installation square.

It is easier to work with the cabinet doors off since it makes the upper unit lighter. If you do not have the assistance of another person, a hydraulic jack lift may do the trick but installation will take longer. While the assistance helps to align and hold the upper unit in place, you need to drive screws into the wall studs in order to properly hand the cabinets. Use a level to make sure that you are constantly flush and square with the wall; otherwise your unit could become unbalanced and eventually give way.

After installing and checking the level of the top unit, you can remove the clamps holding the individual units together. You should also be able to remove the temporary support that you used to help support the unit as you attached it to the wall. The resulting holes in the drywall can be patched with drywall mud, sanded and painted to restore it to its original use.

Install the Lower Cabinets

With the upper cabinets in place, you can turn your focus on the bottom cabinets. Start with the corner unit piece and using shims to achieve level, screw the piece into the wall studs. You should use 3½-inch deck or wood screws to attach the cabinets and under no circumstances should you use nails.

From the corner unit, attach the remaining units in the same manner as you assembled the upper cabinet pieces. First attach the unit to the cornet unit (once you line it up) and screw the piece into the wall using the wood screws. You will continue this process until all pieces have been set and attached securely to the wall.

Attach the Doors

Attach the cabinet doors to the hinges and place any drawers into their glides. Clean-up and your cabinet installation is complete.

Monday, January 18, 2010

When Install Wall Cabinets

Many people when they look to add storage to their home look into adding wall cabinets in to the existing unused areas of a room. This can add much needed linen storage in a bathroom or simply make for a nice place to display family keepsakes in the living room. Either way, the need for them to stay on the wall once they are loaded is fairly important.

By going online, you can find a large variety of cabinets that can either be mounted on a flat wall or in the corners of a room. These may be as basic as ones with shelves to some that come with glass doors and built in lights for display purposes. This is a simple do it yourself project that will take very little time and only a few basic hand tools.

The first step is to decide what type of cabinet and where it is going to be mounted. The manufacturers and suppliers that will be found online have a huge selection and the odds are that choosing one will take longer than actually installing it. Take the time to shop around, though, as many of them offer deals on one of a kinds and discontinued models.

Once it has been chosen and delivered, the next step will be the actual mounting. Many of the manufacturers will include detailed instructions along with all the necessary hardware to complete this project. Be sure that wherever they are to be mounted, to leave enough room for the doors to open up fully.

If at all possible when mounting wall cabinets try and make sure that the mounting screws are sunk into a wall stud at as many points as possible. This insures a long lasting installation and a secure one. Follow the manufacturer's directions and you will be assured of a job well done while adding some much needed storage to different areas in your home.

This article from Ezinearticle.com
Writer Chris Smitts

Sunday, January 17, 2010

How to Install Glass Cabinet Doors

Install glass cabinet doors on new cabinets or to replace existing or old wood doors. This article covers the full procedure, from cutting the glass to caulking it into place.

Tools

■Drill
■Jigsaw
■Measuring Tape
■Grease Pencil
■Masking Tape
■Light Hammer
Materials
■Glass Panels
■Small Nails
■Wood Glue
■Caulking
■Paint
■Corner Round
■Small Nails

Step 1 - Cutting the Glass
First, cut the glass to the size you need. When measuring, remember to leave at least a 1-inch frame in place around the glass panel. If you are experienced cutting glass, you can do this step yourself. It may be easier, however, to order the pre-cut glass from a glazier.


Step 2 - Marking the Cabinets
Take off all the doors from the cabinet and remove the hardware. On the inside of the cabinet doors, determine where the panels will be placed using a measuring tape. Use a grease pencil to mark these spaces on the inside of the door, or place masking tape on the spots.

Double-check your measurements by placing a piece of the glass on the markings. It should line up exactly.


Step 3 - Removing the Panel
Drill 4 wide holes at each corner, just inside your markings. Then use your jigsaw to cut from corner to corner, drill hole to drill hole.


Step 4 - Moldings
Once the panel is removed, attach molding to the front of the cabinet to frame the new glass panel. If you like, stain or paint the molding before fixing it to the cabinet.

The molding must be cut to 45 degree angles with a mitre saw. To determine how long the moldings should be, take the length of the outside edge of where you will place it. There must be a sufficient inside overlap to hold the glass panel in place once the panel is removed.

Attach the moulding with wood glue. Wait for it to dry, caulk the joins and paint or stain as desired.


Step 5 - Install Glass Panel
Once the paint is dry, insert the glass panel. Fit corner rounds to hold the glass in place on the inside.The corner round should be cut as 45 degree angles, the same as the molding. Use small nails and a light hammer to attach them to the cabinet. Be very careful!

Use a small hammer and protect the glass by placing a piece of cardboard over it. When that’s done, caulk the joins of the corner round, and paint. When it’s dry, replace the hardware and put back your cabinet doors. You’re finished!

make a great aesthetic upgrade For your Kitchen with Fascia panels

If your find the new idea for improve your kitchen.This article can help your..

Fascia panels added in to your kitchen will make a great aesthetic upgrade. You will need the specifications for your current dishwasher and some good woodworking tools and you can build a fascia panel to match the rest of your cabinetry.

Accurate Measurements
In order for your fascia panels to look right once installed you need to get extremely accurate measurements. You will need to measure length, height, as well as diagonal sections to get the best fit possible.

Allow Wood to Adjust
Before you start to build you will want to let the wood you’ve chosen sit in the kitchen for a few days. This will allow the wood to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. Wood can expand and contract with moisture and temperature. Allowing the wood to adjust will make cutting much easier and it will be easier to install as well.

Pre-Assembled Panels
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of building your own panels, you can contact the manufacturer of your cabinets. Since they made the cabinets, they should be able to get you the facing for the fascia panel that will match the rest of the cabinetry.

Friday, January 15, 2010

7 Step Knowledge of Kitchen Cabinet Molding

Installing or remodeling kitchen cabinet molding can be an expensive and frustrating operation if jobbed out to a professional. Many home and business owners needing a new kitchen face-lift take on remodeling projects that not only help save money, but are rewarding, too, producing a great deal of satisfaction for a job well done. Adding decorative molding to your kitchen cabinets is a great way to customize this look while adding both value and aesthetic worth. A little patience and know-how will result in a successful project. Follow these steps toward adding molding to your kitchen remodeling project.

Materials Needed:

■Trim molding
■Degreaser
■Saw
■Paint and brushes
■Adhesive glue

Step 1: Do Some Homework

Investigate a variety of molding designs by checking out home décor and other magazines where you will find photos depicting kitchens with different looks. Doing a little research homework will help you make a wise choice.

Step 2: Choose a Style

Decide exactly what style trim you want to add to your kitchen cabinets. Certain types like thin, rounded trim cab help create a French country-like look where wider, flat trim produces a workman-like appearance.

Step 3: Take Measurements

You will need to take a number of detailed measurements of your kitchen cabinets to determine molding lengths and locations. Carefully selecting where to apply kitchen cabinet molding is important, for example, to ensure cabinet doors open and swing freely while also closing flush when molding is added to cabinet tops.

Step 4: Buy the Trim

Once you have taken detailed measurements, bring these to you local favorite home improvement store where you can get some guidance ensuring you acquire enough material to complete the job successfully.

Step 5: Clean the Cabinets

Using a standard household degreaser, make sure all cabinet surface area where trim will be installed is free from cooking grease, oil, dirt and other impurities. If kitchen cabinets have been either newly installed or freshly remodeled, and have not been finished yet, make sure to sand the wood before adding trim.

Step 6: Cut and Color

Measure all trim carefully before cutting so you will save from making costly mistakes. Once you have cut all needed trim to the appropriate sizes, paint or stain all molding to match the kitchen cabinet colors.

Step 7: Glue the Trim

The best method for adding trim is to remove all kitchen cabinet doors and place these on a clean, flat surface. Use a commercially available strong adhesive to attach the trim to each door. Allow sufficient drying time before rehanging the doors. A good tip is to secure all glued molding or trim is to use masking tape to keep it firmly in place until it is fully dry.

Remember two additional—and tried and true—tips to keep in mind for any construction project you will tackle:



1.Take Your Time. Always move at a deliberate, slow pace to ensure not only safety, but success as well.
2.Remember to measure at least twice so you cut only once.