cabinet mounting for dummies

[wfopete]

I'm putting in some cabinets in my laundry room and I'm concerned about the mounting. The cabinet is 36" wide x30" tall, the back is particle board. I've got the cabinet mounted with nine 3" #9 torx wood screws (into three wall studs). Is this sufficient for say no more than 50lbs of material? I was considering the need for some washers under the screw heads for additional holding area. Do I need to retain the ledger board to help support the cabinet?

 

[1Evil55]

I'd add something to the bottom of the cabinet against the wall. Who knows how well connected the particle is to the rest of the cabinet.

 

[tjdux]

Im no expert here but that's more than many kitchen cabinets ive seen.

If you want they make a style of fastener called cabinet fasteners. They are bascially washer head screws. I keep a box handy for certain things. I know in my neck of the woods menards sells them, likely home depot too but i doubt you really need any more fastners than you already have.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[starquestMM]

In pure shear, one #9 is sufficient.

Worrying about the heads pulling through particle board is a different thing. They make decorative washers that are commonly used in cabinets.

 

[quattro_sinko]

Generally modern store bought cabinets have an additional layer of material behind the backs, at the top and bottom to help strengthen the fastening area. I'd say you have more than enough screws. How about a picture?

 

[wfopete]

Nice. Thanks. I think I'll retain the ledger but replace it with red oak and run some decorative molding across it. More than enough looks for a laundry.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I'd strongly recommend pocket screwing in a french cleat to the backs, then attaching one to the wall. It makes hanging cabinets 100x easier!

 

[wfopete]

I considered that initially but it would leave a gap (the thickness of the cleat) showing; yes?

 

[Voi]

I considered that initially but it would leave my with a gap (the thickness of the cleat) showing; yes?

French cleats can be used to flush mount cabinets but it would require modifying the cabinet which I think is more trouble than it's worth.

How thick is the particle board back? If it's thin, is it thicker at the top and bottom? If so, how many of the nine screws are through the thicker area?

If the whole back is 1/2" or thicker PB I'd back out a the screws and add washers like those shown earlier in the thread. Or any washer.

If for some reason the entire back of the cabinet it thin you can add a cleat inside of the cabinet, likely without even taking it down. I doubt this is the case but I can talk you through it if you think it's necessary.

Regardless, I don't think you need to keep the ledger board.

 

[ddawg16]

As noted above....

The screws at the top prevent the cabinet from tilting forward. The screws at the bottom carry most of the load in shear.

If I can get a couple of #10 screws in the bottom and top....I'm not worried.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Most cabinet boxes are built very cheaply these days and by attaching into studs you have maximized your installation strength wise. The boxes are usually glued and stapled making the weak link the particle board. If you have ever watched any of the home remodeling shows (all GJ'ers do) you have seen how the boxes disenegrate with one hammer swipe. If you will be keeping your liquid and powder cleaners up there you may wish to reinforce the box structure by placing some decorative brackets under the box. This will transmit some of the downward force back to the wall and remove it from the box itself.