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Blocking height for upper cabinets?

Shoester

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Jan 9, 2014
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318
Location
Kansas City
I'm getting ready to run interior girts around my pole barn that I will attach the the vertical tongue & groove boards to that will make my interior walls. I'd like to run some blocking behind the t&G for a more secure upper-cabinet mounting location, vs just relying on screwing into the t&G. Is there a generally accepted height for this blocking placement? Thanks!
 
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CraigStu

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May 22, 2014
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Location
Blacksburg, Va
I usually recommend that electrical outlets be placed at 48" off the floor. Then someone said go to 50 or 51 so a 4x8 sheet can be leaned against the wall and outlets will still be accessible. Other than that I did as Youngndfree suggested. Then I dropped the cabinets an inch or two to make the top shelf a bit easier for my 5'9" body to reach.
 

75gmck25

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Jul 21, 2014
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Location
Alexandria, VA
Most kitchen cabinets are supported by an internal blocking piece of wood across the top, and that screws into the blocking in the wall. The lower cabinet screws hold it against the wall, but are often not into wall blocking. I would measure to the height you think will match the cabinet blocking and then use a centered 2x10 to give you plenty of wiggle room.

Another scheme I saw on This Old House was to add vertical blocking inside the studs, and then screw on 3/4" plywood (inset and level with the stud face) that covered almost the entire wall. That provided support for anything you wanted to screw into the wall.
 

Michigan Mike

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Sep 12, 2012
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Location
Kalamazoo Mi.
What size are the cabinets you are planning on using? What height are you planning on mounting them at? That is going to determine where the blocking is.
 
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KenC

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Dec 20, 2009
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2,578
If attaching to a solid 3/4" board wall I wouldn't use blocking at all. With that type of wall finish I'd just use a lot of screws. Probably pocket screws. Lots of holding power and shear strength in those. Maybe a small block built into the top of the cabinet for the initial hanging. Then add pocket screws in the bottom of the shelves as needed.
 

PoorUB

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Mar 29, 2021
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Fargo, ND
One guy I know screwed 3/4 plywood, completely covering the wall where he wanted cabinets. The rest of the wall he furred out with 1x2 strips.
 

NWOhioChevyGuy

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Feb 20, 2007
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1,933
Location
Buckeye Hill (Morenci, MI)
My upper garage cabinets are still in the planning stage, but I'm going to do the 3/4" plywood French cleat method.

No blocking in the wall to hit, just the studs already there.
& you can move them when you change your mind.
 
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