How to Install RTA Cabinets

Check and double check the measurements. Proper measuring is key. Many companies offer software that will take the dimensions of your kitchen and calculate measurements and cabinet layout. If you are doing it yourself, you will need to make a diagram with the exact dimensions of your room, of the cabinets and your appliances.

Once your cabinets arrive, make sure your old cabinets are removed and the kitchen is clean and ready for installation. Pay attention to any uneven spots in the floor or wall as the cabinets may need to be shimmed for even installation.

Find your studs. Use an electronic stud finder to find and mark the location of the studs.

Build the cabinet boxes. A cam lock and glue construction make these very easy to assemble. Open each box, examine the contents, lay the pieces out on the floor according to the diagram, run a bead of glue, along the joining pieces, insert in the groove and simply use a screwdriver to lock the cam lock.

Begin with the upper corner wall cabinet. Measure from the corner to your first stud on the wall and then mark the cabinet as well. Pre drill each. Use a wood T brace to prop up the cabinet and screw the cabinet into the wall, loosely. This corner cabinet may have to be pulled out from the wall a bit, so measure according to the initial design.

Follow the same instructions for the next cabinet. Clamp the two together, make sure every thing is plumb and tighten the cabinets to the wall. Continue this on all the upper cabinets.

Fillers are necessary to fill in spaces between some cabinets. Often they will need to be cut to size. They will then be attached by screwing through the inside of the cabinet.

Next move to the base cabinets. Always begin with the blind corner cabinet. Measure the studs, pre-drill and loosely attach to the wall.

Attach the next cabinet in the same manner, clamp together, make sure everything is plumb and tighten the cabinets to the wall.

After attaching all the cabinets to the wall, the doors and drawers need to be attached.