STEP 1: PREPERATION
- Check and make sure you have all your packages and that the order is complete. If there are missing parts, then contact your designer.
- Ask your designer for the installer print out, which will include the package ID next to each item
- Check your measurements and make sure the cabinet measurements match the design space.
- Arrange the cabinets in the space for installation.
- Unpackage your cabinet
- Remove all drawers and fronts from the cabinet box for install.
- Gather the tools needed for the job.
- Locate and mark all the studs that you will use for installing the cabinets (figure 1)
Figure 1
STEP 2: DETERMINE THE BASE CABINET MEASUREMENT
- Find the high point on the floor (figure 2)
- From the high point measure 34.5” up and mark.
- This will be the top of the base cabinet
- Note that if flooring has not been installed, then you will want to add the thickness of the flooring material to the 34.5”H mark to accommodate the flooring.
- Measure your stove and dishwasher and make sure they fit with the countertop location from the high point of the floor. (figure 3)
- Using a laser level to mark the base unit heights is useful.
Figure 2
Figure 3
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE BASE CABINET
- Start with the corner cabinet. Place it in position and line it up with the laser level from the step 2 base measurement.
- Adjust the adjustable legs or use shims as needed. If cabinet is tilting backward, then adjust the back adjustable legs or add shims at the back. If cabinet is tilting forward, then adjust the front adjustable legs or add shims at the front.
- Note that if you are using a blind base cabinet, then make sure you leave the correct pull from the wall before you place the cabinet. As standard Decor blind cabinets require a 3” pull. (figure 4) Reference designer’s elevations to confirm.
- Make sure the cabinet is level and plumbed. Leveling and Shims
- Secure the cabinet to the wall, screw through hanger rail and into studs. (figure 5)
- When securing cabinets always pre-drill with a counter sunk bit prior to installing screws.
- Use a 2 ½” course thread screw when installing into studs.
- Add the adjacent cabinet into place and check to make sure it is level and plumb with laser level from step 2 base measurement and to the previous cabinet. Clamp cabinets together once plumb and level.
- Decor recommends that the bottom floors are always flush with the previous cabinet.
- Secure the cabinet to the adjacent cabinet and then the wall. (figure 6)
- When securing cabinets to an adjacent cabinet, then make sure you clamp the boxes together first.
- Screw cabinets together using 1 1/8” screws
- Next secure the cabinet to the wall, screw through hanger rail and into studs using 2 ½” course thread screws.
- Continue the process with the remaining base or tall cabinets. Make sure each cabinet is level and plumb with the laser level from step 2 base measurement and to the previous cabinet.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
STEP 4: INSTALL FILLERS AND FILLER OVERYLAY SET
Decor recommends using fillers or filler overlay set when you need to finish a run of cabinet with the wall, deeper cabinet, or deeper panel. This will allow clearance for the door to swing open properly and drawers to open correctly. We also recommend for use with angle corner cabinets. (figure 7)
Figure 7
- The installer will scribe the fillers as needed for the space needed.
- Attach the filler to the cabinet prior to the cabinet being installed
- Pay attention to the thickness of the overlay filler. (figure 8)
Figure 8
STEP 5: INSTALL END PANELS (PLANT-ON)
Decor recommends using end panels (plant-on) at the end of a cabinet run to finish the cabinet.
- The installer will scribe the panel as needed Scribe to Wall and Scribe to Floor
- Attach the plant on to the cabinet.
- Arrange the cabinets in the space for installation.
- The designer will usually have the end panel flush with the cabinet door but consult the designer to confirm. See (figure 9) for options.
- Secure plant on with 1 1/8” screws from the interior of the cabinet into the plant on panel.
Figure 9: Option 1
Figure 9: Option 2
Figure 9: Option 3
Figure 9: Option 4
STEP 6: INSTALL COLUMNS AND FILLER PANELS
Designers will use columns and filler panels to box out an appliance opening or finish a run as a design feature.
- The installer will scribe the column or filler as needed Scribe to Wall and Scribe to Floor
- Attach the column or filler to the cabinet prior to the cabinet being installed.
STEP 7: TOE KICK INSTALL
- Scribe the toe kick as needed
- Attach toe kick to base
- Toe kicks installed to the leg/base
- If a cabinet is next to an appliance or at the end of run with a plant on panel, then the toe kick will be flush with the plant on panel or cabinet side when doing a return with the toe kick.
- Toe kicks installed to the leg/base
- See installation advice for adjustable leg toe kick installation. (figure 10)
Figure 10
STEP 8: INSTALL COUNTERTOP
Quartz
- Install all base cabinets first and appropriate tall cabinets
- Get templated
- Install countertop
- Install wall cabinets and on countertop installation items
Laminate Countertop
- Install all base cabinets first and appropriate tall cabinets
- Install countertop
- Install wall cabinets and on countertop installation items
STEP 9: DETERMINE THE WALL CABINET MEASUREMENT
- If you have a tall cabinet, then verify if the top of the wall cabinet will line up with the top of the tall cabinet with the elevations supplied by designer.
- If the tall and wall cabinet top line up, then tall cabinet needs to be installed, plumb and level prior to wall cabinet installation.
- Take the height of the wall cabinet and subtract that from the top of the tall cabinet. Mark the wall at this position as it will be the placement for the bottom of the wall cabinet. Typically, this will be 54” from the high point of the floor, but you need to confirm with the elevations supplied by designer.
- If you don’t have a tall cabinet, then look at the elevations to determine the location of the placement for the bottom of the wall cabinet and mark the wall.
- Using a laser level to mark heights would be useful.
STEP 10: INSTALLING THE WALL CABINETS
- Start with the corner cabinet. Using wall jacks place it in position and line it up with the laser level from the step 9 wall measurement.
- Note that if you are using a blind wall cabinet, then make sure you leave the correct pull from the wall before you place the cabinet. As standard Decor blind cabinets require a 3” pull but verify with the elevations. (figure 4) Make sure everything is level and plumb. Use shims as needed. It is important to spend time leveling as it will save you time later with front adjustments. See: Leveling and Shims.
- Secure the cabinet to the wall, screw through hanger rail, and into studs using a 2 ½” coarse thread screw. (Figure 4)
- Add the adjacent cabinet into place and check to make sure it is level and plumb with laser level from step 9 wall measurement and to the previous cabinet. Clamp cabinets together once plumb and level.
- Secure the cabinet to the adjacent cabinet first using a 1 1/8” screw and then Secure the cabinet to the wall, screw through hanger rail and into studs using a 2 ½” coarse thread screw.
- Continue the process with the remaining wall cabinets. Make sure each cabinet is level and plumb with the laser level from step 9 wall measurement and to the previous cabinet.
Figure 4
STEP 11: INSTALL FILLERS, FILLER OVERLAY SETS, END PANELS, COLUMNS AND FILLER PANELS
- Follow steps 4 to 6
- Fillers, filler panels, and columns need to be installed in sequence with cabinets.
STEP 12: INSTALL MOLDINGS
- Measure the space for the molding.
- Make sure to line up miters with the miters of the cabinets.
- Miters above and below cabinets need to line up with each other
- Make sure to line up miters with the miters of the cabinets.
- Determine the miter cut that is needed and cut the molding accordingly (figure 11)
- Color raw miter cuts prior to assembly
- Install molding
Figure 11
Figure 11
Figure 11
STEP 13: INSTALL FRONTS
- Clean out any debris or sawdust left from cabinet install
- Make sure shelves are at the appropriate place
- Install handles/pulls as required
- Attach doors and level as needed Attached door advice
- Consistent gap and spacing between fronts
- Attach drawers and level as needed
- Consistent gap and spacing between fronts
STEP 14: INSTALL FRONTS
- Apply any necessary caulking/silicone
- Clean up any debris from installation.
- It should appear as clean when you leave compared to when you arrived.
- Do a walk through and document any damages or touch ups that will be needed.
