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Installing Stock Cabinets

Master these pro techniques for hanging cabinets to achieve a flawless new kitchen

In this article, veteran kitchen designer and installer Rick Gedney shares his approach to installing cabinets. He explains how to organize the job so that it moves along efficiently, how to prep the site, how to achieve an accurate layout, and how to install the three most common types of kitchen cabinets: base cabinets, wall cabinets, and tall units that serve as pantries or that often house refrigerators or ovens. He also provides instructions for hanging wall cabinets safely even when you are working alone. He recommends installing cabinets when the kitchen is almost finished. The flooring should be in place and, if it's wood, should have one or two coats of finish on it. Likewise, the ceiling and walls should be primed and painted. Working in a fairly finished environment such as this demands substantial care and dust control, and Gedney suggests removing tool belts and cordoning off the kitchen with a dust barrier.