If you’re worried about installing cabinets without studs, we can understand your panic. It might seem a bit tough to execute this project. But this isn’t entirely impossible.
Thinking about how to install wall cabinets without studs?
Installing cabinets without studs is complicated. You can follow any of the mentioned two methods according to your situation. If you have existing cabinets, you can use them. Another way is using a board piece for support. Finally, you’ll have wall cabinets.
That was just the nitty-gritty of the process. Now, we’ll get deeper into this topic. Spare us some time and continue reading. You’ll find this useful.
Is It Possible To Install Cabinets Without Studs
Studs are wood beams made to support the wall from inside. They are a very suitable place for anchoring while you want to hang things. Studs can even support sidings in some cases.
The problem arises when you can’t find studs in your desired place. Sometimes, studs can be found near your planned area. IT can be that you can’t find them at all.
When you have existing cabinets that are attached with the stud. You can build the new ones adjacent to them. But if you’re unlucky, you might not have any existing cabinets nearby.
In this situation, it’s not impossible to install cabinets without studs. But it can be just as tough as finding studs from below installed siding. So, you might go through a bit of hassle throughout the installation.
Without wasting more time on this, let’s start-
Guide for Installing Cabinets Without Studs
To be honest, you can conduct this whole process single-handedly. But it’s better if you have someone for assistance. The whole process will become a bit easier for you. Also, see if the cabinets are made of MDF or HDF in case you need some cutting to do.
Now we are all set with our preparation. Put your handyman cap on and jump into it.
Preparing Your Toolbox
Before you start the process you need to prepare your toolbox. We’ve listed all the necessary items here. Carefully arrange them all and then start the mission.
The list goes:
- Tape Measure
- Pencil and notebook
- Drill or Dremel
- Wall anchors
- Hammer and nails
That’s all that you need for now. So, prepare your toolbox and move on to the next part.
Taking The Measurements
You should decide which wall you’re going to install the cabinet on. Then use a stud finder to locate the studs of the wall.
Now you can install a cabinet if there’s no stud just behind your desired wall. But you’ll obviously need other studs to use as an anchor point. It’s impossible to install cabinets without nailing them on the studs and distributing the weight.
You can try to keep a tentative drawing of the wall and your planned cabinet. Then don’t forget to take the measurement of the wall. Carefully note down the distance of the studs as well. This information might be needed later.
Now, we can move to the solution part. You can try any of them considering your situation.
Method 1: Try Connection To Existing Cabinets
Most professionals suggest, attaching the new cabinet with the preexisting one. As you’re not being able to attach them to the studs. They don’t have strong support from behind. So, the chances of falling off will get reduced.
- You’ll install the new cabinets next to the old ones as per your plan.
- Then you’ll connect them with the pre-existing ones. So the weight will be distributed. You can use nails to connect the new and the existing cabinets together from the side.
- You can also use your base cabinets and props to support your hanging cabinet. In that case, be very careful about the size of the prop.
Finally, your cabinets will be attached properly.
Method 2: Installing On a Pre-Mounted Board Piece
Let’s assume, you can’t find studs behind your cabinet wall. And you don’t have any pre-existing cabinets. We’ll use our knowledge about sidings for this.
- Firstly, you have to work with the two studs that are further away from each other. Then you’ll install a sturdy length of material between them. Your best choice could be a 1*4” thick board. This is affordable and strong enough to carry weight.
As you’ve installed the board on the two studs that are further away. You’ll need a nail in every 8-10 inches distance. Then the weight of the cabinet will be divided. So the stability will increase.
- You have to use a drill machine or a Dremel to cut holes on the wall and the board piece. Dremel can perfectly cut anything from metal ductwork to wood. So it’ll be a good choice. Then you can nail the board and then install the rest.
Apparently, you need a good performance Dremel for this. You might not have enough knowledge about this. So, we’ve added our best picks for you:
| Product 1 |
| Product 2 |
Don’t waste time and grab your desired product. And then jump into the mission.
- You can follow your planned cabinet installation process afterward. Just carefully install the base you need, as you couldn’t find a stud behind the wall.
Voila. We have completed this complicated process of installing wall cabinets. Also, you can simply install it along with the ceiling. Similarly, there are ways to mount speakers on wall without drilling holes as well.
FAQs
Question: How many inches apart are studs in the wall?
Answer: Normally the distance between two studs is 16 inches. But that’s just the general spacing. In some cases, they are even 24 inches apart. Rarely, you can even find studs in every 12 inches distance.
Question: How much weight can drywall hold without stud?
Answer: Drywalls can only carry 5-10 pounds weight. So, without a stud, it can’t bear more weight than that. It can fall off the wall and cause a mishap. Hence, the highest drywall can hold without a stud is near 10 pounds.
Question: Why do stud finders never work?
Answer: The finder that we can easily find and afford is actually very weak in finding the stud. Their mechanism is to find the screw under the drywall. And this thing is not very easy to locate. The thick layer of the wall makes it harder for the finder to detect the stud.
Conclusion
We’re done with the mission of installing a wall cabinet. Hopefully, it’ll lessen your hassle a bit. You’ll find it helpful for your installation process.
So, don’t worry anymore about how to install wall cabinets without studs. We believe you can do that very well.
Our best wishes to you!