Cabinetry question (cutting holes & countertop support)

[aunsafe2015]

I want to cut a 12x12 hole in the side wall of the cabinet under my kitchen sink.
Approximate location of the whole is the picture that has the red box outline. The other side of that side wall is my trash can drawer.

My questions are: Does that side wall play a significant load bearing role in holding up my granite countertop? And will cutting a hole that large compromise the structure so much that I should not do it?

Thanks for any feedback.

P.S. The reason I want to cut the hole is I need some extra clearance for a small point-of-use water heater.

 

[rlitman]

It depends. If that's a plywood side wall, then it should be fine. If it's chip board, I'd be a little worried. If you frame in a niche, that would help a lot.

Is this for an instant hot that you want to recess a couple of inches? That may make plumbing it quite difficult.

 

[danrush]

Re: Cabinetry question (cutting holes & countertop support)

I'm a cabinet installer by trade.. cut away. We make cuts like that all the time. (Mainly scooping out for sinks that are larger than the cabinet, but same idea) Leave a few inches from the front and back of the cabinet and you'll be fine.

 

[KenC]

Re: Cabinetry question (cutting holes & countertop support)

I'm a cabinet installer by trade.. cut away. We make cuts like that all the time. (Mainly scooping out for sinks that are larger than the cabinet, but same idea) Leave a few inches from the front and back of the cabinet and you'll be fine.

x2. Not a pro, but have done alot of them. Many cabinets back in the day were site built. No intermediate supports except the very end. Just a cleat on the wall and front frame with a few braces front to back. What you will have left after the cut will be fine.

 

[rlitman]

Re: Cabinetry question (cutting holes & countertop support)

x2. Not a pro, but have done alot of them. Many cabinets back in the day were site built. No intermediate supports except the very end. Just a cleat on the wall and front frame with a few braces front to back. What you will have left after the cut will be fine.

I've got a friend who has that open construction. What a mess.

 

[Toolfool]

I've installed over 200 kitchen packages in 35 years as a GC. The cabinet next to the sink cabinet will give enough support for the tops, as long as everything is properly shimmed.

 

[aunsafe2015]

It depends. If that's a plywood side wall, then it should be fine. If it's chip board, I'd be a little worried. If you frame in a niche, that would help a lot.

Is this for an instant hot that you want to recess a couple of inches? That may make plumbing it quite difficult.

The plumbing is on the top of the little tank, and I only need to recess it one inch, so I think it will be ok.

 

[aunsafe2015]

x2. Not a pro, but have done alot of them. Many cabinets back in the day were site built. No intermediate supports except the very end. Just a cleat on the wall and front frame with a few braces front to back. What you will have left after the cut will be fine.

I've installed over 200 kitchen packages in 35 years as a GC. The cabinet next to the sink cabinet will give enough support for the tops, as long as everything is properly shimmed.

I'm a cabinet installer by trade.. cut away. We make cuts like that all the time. (Mainly scooping out for sinks that are larger than the cabinet, but same idea) Leave a few inches from the front and back of the cabinet and you'll be fine.

I've got a friend who has that open construction. What a mess.

Thanks for all the replies!