This article will teach you how to build and install toe kick for wall cabinets. If you are not a professional, don’t worry. The steps are so simple that you can do this project on your own. You will just need these 3 tools:
1/2″ x 4′ x 8′ MDF Board
Table Saw
Paint Brush
Step 1: Cut the pieces of the toe kick to each of your kitchen cabinet units. Use a table saw in order to cut the toe kicks into strips of 3″. Take the measurements from two sides of your cabinet units, such as left and right or front and back, so that they match with one another.
Step 2: Attach each strip of your toe kick together with an adhesive like Gorilla Glue or liquid nails until all strips match perfectly in size. Make sure that you make all edges face downward before using any glue. Once your strips are attached together, use a paint brush to spread some glue across the seams between each piece of wood so that it sticks securely together once dry.
Step 3: Let all surfaces dry overnight before installing them onto their respective areas within your home’s kitchen area using small wood screws driven through pre-drilled holes at an angle outward from underneath each side panel (which will be hidden by trim molding later on).
Step 4: Now that we have installed the toe kicks, it’s time to install trim molding at top edge where there was no baseboard previously installed (and therefore no room for it). Without trim around perimeter edges where toe kicks meet floorboards underneath cabinets; there would be gaps which could easily become filled with dirt or dust over time unless sealed tight against those openings by something like this type of trim material while still allowing airflow between bottom board itself and any surface below such as tile subflooring material)
Step 5: Install
Step 1
- Prepare the wall by measuring the distance between your floor and bottom of cabinet. Mark this measurement on your wall, with a pencil or marker.
- Drill holes for screws where you marked each location in Step 1 above, using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than your screw size (a #7 for example).
- Slide in two pieces of L-Brackets into the holes you drilled until they are flush against the wall surface, then place another one at an angle so that it can be used as a support for attaching to other things later on in this process (I recommend installing three total L-brackets). You might need some help doing this part if there’s not much room between your cabinets and walls because they’re so close together.
- Once all three brackets are installed properly per above instructions, attach them using drywall screws (the ones typically used when hanging drywall)
Step 2
The second step is to mark the toe kick on the wall. Ideally, you want a straight line between your toe kick and baseboard. If you’re doing this by yourself and don’t have access to a leveler, you can use your pencil as a straight edge instead. Just make sure it’s perfectly vertical before marking it down on your wall with a sharpie or other writing utensil.
Once everything is marked out properly, take some time to double check that all of your measurements are correct before moving forward with drilling any holes in your toe kick or wall. If anything seems off after measuring twice over, go back and make corrections until everything lines up properly.
Step 3
Now you’re ready to cut the plywood. The first step is making sure you have the right measurements.
- Cut the plywood to 1.5 inches in thickness, which will give you a sturdy base for your toe kick.
- Cut the plywood to the same height as your toe kick and leave about an inch of extra space on each side for mistakes or tolerance when it comes time to install it into place (the top of your cabinet will also be cut off).
- Cut the plywood in equal widths that are no wider than 5/8 inches, again leaving some room for error during installation (5/8 inches should do).
Now that these steps are done, let’s move onto Step 4
Step 4
- Install the toe kick.
To install the toe kick, you will need to use clamps to hold the cabinet in place while you install it. Use a miter saw or circular saw to cut your pieces at 45 degree angles (if needed), then apply glue and nail them into place with finishing nails.
Step 5
- Now that the toe kick holes are drilled and the toe kick board is in place, you can install it. To do this, first use a pencil to mark where you want your toe kick to go. Make sure that you measure from both ends of the wall cabinet and then transfer those measurements onto your wall before drilling any holes into it. This way, if there is any discrepancy between where your measurement was taken (from one end) and where it ended up being marked on the wall (from another), you’ll be able to tell if something went wrong or not. Once everything has been measured correctly, put some masking tape around each hole so that when you drill through them later they won’t crack open too much and make installing your toe kick impossible! Now comes time for serious work: hammering nails into drywall with just enough force so as not break through while still getting enough power behind them so those nails don’t bend backwards when they hit something solid like wood or cement underneath…but not too hard either lest they go right through into whatever might lie beneath instead.”
Step 6
- Step 6: Cut the plywood to size.
- Step 7: Attach the 4″x4″ toe kick subfloor to the wall with 1-1/2″ drywall screws, using a drill/driver. For this step, you’ll need a helper if you’re working alone.
- Step 8: Attach the plywood toe kick to both sides of the cabinet with 1-1/2″ drywall screws, again using your drill and driver for this task. You may find it easier to flip over one side of your cabinet before attaching this piece so that it’s upside down and more stable when attaching it from below; just remember to flip it back once it’s secured!
- Step 9: Stand up two 2x4s in front of where your cabinets will go and measure their height against them (these are temporary spacers). Make sure they’re flush with each other—if necessary, trim them slightly shorter until they meet in center at eye level when standing directly on top—then use clamps or a clamping system like Kreg Jig™ R3 Pocket Hole System Kit (KMS7000) – White Oak 30 Piece Kit by Kreg Tool Company Inc., Model #KMSSET6-W30
Step 7
- Make sure that the cabinets are level, and then measure the height of each toe kick to make sure they’re all the same.
- Measure both widths, then measure depth from front to back and from side-to-side.
- Attach the toe kicks to each face frame by drilling pilot holes into their sides, and then securing them with screws. If you have a Kreg Jig®, you can also use pocket hole screws here for extra strength. Doing so will allow you to attach both faces at once for convenience when joining them together as well as making it easier for assembly later on down the road.* Again using 1/4″ plywood cut outs or shims if necessary, attach them underneath your cabinets into place against your wall structure (skirt boards).
Building and installing toe kick for wall cabinets may seem a bit complicated, however, you don’t need to hire a professional to do it. If you pay attention to these tips, you will have the best results in no time.
Toe kick is the name for the base of the cabinet. It is not visible once installed and it’s where you will put up your cabinets if you want to build toe kick for wall cabinet.
You can use tools like a miter saw, a table saw or even just a regular circular saw with some skill and creativity to make this project easier for yourself.
Conclusion
We hope this has been helpful in getting you prepared to start building and installing your kitchen cabinets. If you have any questions, please comment below
