Fitting kitchen wall and base units

Fitting Your Kitchen Units

Fitting your kitchen wall and base units isn't a difficult task if you follow a few
simple steps. The following information is set out to help you to avoid some of
the most common mistakes.
First unpack and check your units for any signs of damage. Once you are
happy that your kitchen units are OK you need to put a level line around the
wall at the height where you want the top of your units to finish.
The standard finished height for the top of the worktops in the UK is 900mm
90cm. So to determine the height of your units you need to subtract the
thickness of the worktop from 900mm. If your floor is tiled and the tiles do not
run under the units you should add the tile and adhesive thickness too.
Example worktop thickness = 38mm. (900 - 38 + tile and adhesive thickness).
You can afford to be a little bit out but just bare in mind the height of any
appliances and how they will look if the worktops are too far out.
Once you have your level line fix and adjust the kitchen legs to roughly the
desired height. Tip if you do this prior to positioning the units you will spend
less time laying on the floor to make your final adjustments.
If your wall units are on an adjustable hanging bracket you need to work out
where the brackets will be picked up by the wall fixing. You can do this by
measuring down from the top of the unit to the bracket. Tip! Make sure the
adjustable bracket is adjusted about half way when you take this
measurement so you can adjust in both directions.
Now you should draw a line around the wall at the bracket fixing height of the
wall units.
Whether you hang the wall units or the base units first is a matter of personal
preference. I hang the wall units first to avoid working over the top of the base
units but it's up to you.
Set out all base units before fixing and make sure all fits in with your plan.
When fixing the base and wall units to the wall each unit should be level in
both directions, should line up exactly with its neighbouring units and the
fronts of the units should run in a straight line. When you are happy that you
have everything right fix the units to the wall. You should also fix the units
together for added strength.
Tip! When fixing the units together try to fix through the point between the pre
drilled holes where the hinges fix. This will minimise the number of screw
heads you need to cover with plastic covers.
Once your units are in place it is time to fit the plinth and any decorative end
panels.
The end panels are in most cases already to fix on and should not require
cutting. If you do need to cut them you can use a table saw, hand saw or
router. If you use a hand saw it pays to put a bit of masking tape down the cut
line and keep the saw on a shallow angle to avoid chipping the laminate.
When fixing the end panels make sure your screws are not going to go all the
way through both panels (an obvious but common mistake.
Measure and cut your plinth to length then offer it up to the point of fixing and
mark the position of the unit legs. Before fixing the brackets to the plinth
measure from the floor to the bottom of the units in several places and cut the
plinth about 5mm smaller than your smallest measurement. This will enable
you to slide your plinth under comfortably and the small gap cannot be seen
unless you lay on the floor. Which I hope not too many of your guests will do.

Lastly if you bought your kitchen from us and need further assistance
with fitting remember we are able to offer telephone advice Monday to
Saturday 8am - 8pm so don't hesitate to contact us.

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