How Many Screws Do You Need To Mount A Wall Cabinet?

Tom Gaffey
by Tom Gaffey

Mounted wall cabinets are perfect for those who are looking to maximize storage and wall space. They can add a level of depth and sophistication to a kitchen. Wall cabinets can also help you keep a garage or laundry room clean. But that last thing you want is to spend all the time and money to mount the cabinets, only to watch them fall to the ground due to poor installation.

So, if you are getting ready to mount wall cabinets ,you need to know exactly how many screws are required for this job.

When mounting wall cabinets, use at least two screws on each stud, with one on the top rail and one on the bottom. That is at least 4 screws in each cabinet. The number of screws varies based on the cabinet size and the number of studs. More screws are always better, and it is best to first secure the top of the cabinet, then the bottom.

As you prepare to mount a cabinet to the wall, make sure you have thought of everything. When it comes to mounting anything heavy on your walls, think things through. Have the correct tools and perhaps take additional measurements and sketch things out.

Regardless of what preparation work you were planning, make sure you understand the factors that affect how many screws you need for your wall cabinets. This article will go over all the variables to consider and some additional tips to make sure your wall cabinets are secured perfectly.

How Many Screws You Need To Mount A Wall Cabinet

If you want to know exactly how many screws you need to mount your cabinet to the wall, the answer is simple: It depends. On the most basic level, each cabinet should have at least 4 screws, securing both the top and bottom. While it might feel heavy on the bottom when mounting the cabinets, it is the top screws that often bear the weight.

When it comes time for you to mount your cabinets, always think in terms of more rather than less when it comes to mounting screws. This is because while you should always install screws on every stud and a minimum of four per cabinet, you often require more.

Factors Affecting How Many Screws You Need To Install Cabinets

Not all cabinets are the same. Also, not all walls and screws are the same. W you want to find out how many screws you need to mount your cabinets to the wall, consider all the variables. Below are examples of the most common variables to consider when pondering how many screws you need to mount your cabinets.

Size Of Cabinets

One of the biggest variables is the size of your cabinets. This should be relatively straightforward; the larger the cabinets, the more screws you need to use. Also keep in mind that cabinets are not all the same dimensions. If you have deep, wide kitchen cabinets you may require a different number of screws than with shallow or high cabinets. As a rule of thumb, however, make sure the larger your cabinet surface area is, the more screws you try to drill into the wall to secure them.

Type Of Screw

The type of screws you use can also impact how many screws you need. You do need to use cabinet screws, but cabinet screws are not all the same. Thin and weaker screws aren’t able to handle much weight. Stronger, thick mounting screws can handle more weight. You need to consider the strength and also the length. Make sure you purchase screws that are long enough to really connect and latch into the studs. This will help prevent them from ripping out under pressure.

Where You Place The Screws

Screw placement is also very important. If you put 4 screws per cabinet, but put them too close together, or not where the stud is, then you don’t have enough. Always try to put all mounting screws in the top and bottom rails of the cabinets, along a stud. Once you have accomplished this, you can add additional screws wherever you think there is opportunity and potential vulnerability.

Weight Of Cabinets

The size and shape of your cabinets is one thing, but weight is a whole different story. Just because a cabinet is big, doesn’t mean it’s heavy. In fact, a small cabinet, depending on what it is made out of, can be heavier than a larger cabinet. Heavier cabinets require more and stronger screws when mounting. Consider the weight of your cabinets, and also what you plan to use them for. If you are placing tools or heavy serving dishes, make sure there are more than enough screws in the wall to secure those cabinets.

Best Location For Screws When Mounting To The Wall

As we mentioned earlier, where you place your screws is just as important as to how many and what kinds of screws you use. Always locate and pre-drill the studs in the wall where you are mounting your cabinets. This will help you line up the cabinets perfectly and ensure they are secured on the weight-bearing position of the wall.

Also remember that while the bottom of your cabinets might feel heavy while installing, it is the tops that hold much of the weight. For this reason, always pay particular attention to the top rail of your cabinets. This top rail is rarely seen, since it is up high, so this is a great place to add plenty of reinforcements in the form of fasteners and strong screws.

Even once you have scored the top and bottom of your cabinets, don’t be afraid to add additional securing fasteners within the cabinets themselves. Adding a few screws to the center of each cabinet helps the cabinets stay attached to the wall and keeps anything from loosening up.

Tips To Make Installing Wall Cabinets Easier

Use Your Stud Finder Before Selecting Fastener Locations

Don’t wait until you already have your cabinets up and ready before you locate the studs. In fact, it is best to locate the studs well before you plan the exact location of your wall cabinets. If you locate the studs first with a stud finder, you can trace where you will secure the cabinets. After doing this, you can get a better idea as to exactly where you should mount them.

Utilize Top And Bottom Rails

The top and bottom rails on your wall cabinets exist for a reason. Use them. Don’t feel like you should just install the bare minimum number of screws. Surely you have heard or seen the horror stories of people using only the allotted screws, only for their cabinet to tumble to the ground. Use the top and bottom rails to secure the cabinets wherever there are studs and it makes sense.

Plan And Sketch Before The Install

The most important work when installing a wall cabinet is the planning and sketching. Map out the area where your wall cabinet will stand. Make sure you locate all the studs. Measure the cabinets and where you can best place screws. This will help you find as many “sweet spots” in the cabinet as possible to keep it secure.

Utilize All Studs When Possible

Four per cabinet can work in some situations, but why stop there? When it comes to securing a cabinet to the wall with screws, the more the merrier. The last place you want to skimp on is wall mounting. Rest easy by utilizing the areas with studs as much as possible.

Add Additional Fasteners In Vulnerable Areas

Once you have installed the minimum required screws (on the top and bottom), consider adding some additional screws for support. You can open the cabinets and find areas within where you can drill additional holes and line up with a stud. This adds additional support in the middle of the cabinet, and ideally puts less pressure on both the top and bottoms of the cabinets.

Finalizing How Many Screws You Need To Mount A Cabinet

When you get ready to mount a wall cabinet, it is important to plan the installation with some detail to ensure you have enough screws securing the structure. You should always have a minimum of four screws per cabinet, with two on the top rail and two on the bottom. This, however, is the minimum and there are several factors that may require you to use more.

The size and weight of the cabinets play a large role in how many screws you need to secure them. Also consider what these cabinets will hold, and how many studs there are. Make sure you utilize the top and bottom rails, but also try to find additional locations to secure the cabinets. When it comes to mounting a wall cabinet, in many cases, the best policy is the more screws, the better.

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Tom Gaffey
Tom Gaffey

Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.

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