Installing cabinets on metal studs can seem intimidating, but with the right techniques and materials, you can hang cabinets securely and easily. Properly installed cabinets will stay safely in place for years to come. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about mounting cabinets on metal studs.
An Overview of Mounting Cabinets on Metal Studs
Metal studs are increasingly common in modern construction. Though wood studs used to be the norm, metal studs offer benefits like being non-combustible, resistant to termites and rot, and allowing more open floor plans.
However, their smooth, hard surface makes mounting cabinets trickier than on wooden studs. You can’t simply drill and screw into them like you would a wood stud. Proper anchoring is crucial to keep cabinets sturdy over time.
With the right preparation and materials, mounting to metal studs is achievable for any DIYer. The key steps include:
- Locating the metal studs behind the wall
- Marking and pre-drilling holes for screws
- Using self-tapping screws designed for metal
- Using metal stud anchors for added strength
- Securing cabinets with french cleats, ledger boards or metal rails
Follow the steps in this guide and you can install cabinets as sturdily on metal studs as you could on wood. With time and care taken during installation, your beautiful new cabinets will serve you well for many years.
Locating and Marking Metal Studs
Before mounting anything, you need to find where the metal studs are behind your wall. Here are a few ways to locate them:
Use a Stud Finder
Stud finders are a quick and easy way to locate studs behind drywall. Run the stud finder vertically along the wall until it indicates a stud edge.
Focus on the areas where cabinets will be installed, marking the metal stud locations with painter’s tape or another non-permanent method.
Make sure to move slowly and carefully for accurate readings. Stud finders can sometimes get confused with metal studs, so double check readings.
Check Wall Seams
Drywall panels are typically installed with seams between studs. Look for drywall seams and use them as guides for where studs are likely located. Seams highlighted with joint compound indicate stud edges.
This method takes some predicting and trial and error, so have a stud finder on hand to verify your stud markings.
Look for Screw Dimples
Another clue to locate metal studs is looking for lightly dimpled drywall where screws were used during construction. Drywall is typically fastened to studs as it is installed.
Dimples in consistent vertical lines indicate a stud edge. Again, double check with a stud finder.
Measure 16″ or 24″ Intervals
Metal studs are usually spaced consistently 16″ or 24″ apart, from center to center. Measuring and marking at these standardized intervals can often accurately indicate stud locations.
However, this is less reliable and should always be verified with a stud finder. Don’t depend solely on measurements for stud marking.
Knock to Detect Studs
As a last resort, you can try lightly knocking along the wall and listening for changes in sound. A dull thud indicates a metal stud behind that area of drywall.
This method takes practice, so it shouldn’t replace using a stud finder. Only rely on it for verification.
Once you’ve located the metal studs, use painter’s tape or a pencil to lightly mark their edges where cabinets will be mounted. This will be your guide for installing mounting hardware.
Pre-Drilling Holes in Metal Studs
When working with metal studs, pre-drilling holes is mandatory before driving screws. This prevents screws from snapping off or spinning uselessly against the hard metal. Here are some tips:
Use a High-Speed Drill Bit for Metal
Invest in an 8-10mm high-speed drill bit made specifically for drilling into metal. High carbon steel or carbide tipped bits will drill through metal studs the fastest. Lubricate the bit tip while drilling to prevent overheating.
Take Your Time
Let the drill do the work when making holes. Don’t apply excessive pressure or the drill bit may bend or snap. Drill slowly and steadily at a medium RPM speed.
Drill Perpendicular to the Stud
Angle the drill as straight into the stud as possible, avoiding angled holes. Perpendicular holes give screws the most holding strength.
Avoid Over-Sized Holes
For standard #8 or #10 cabinet installation screws, a 1/8″ diameter hole is ideal. Larger holes reduce the grip strength of the screws.
Deburr Holes
Use a deburring tool or round file to smooth any rough edges around pre-drilled holes. This allows screws to slide in easily without binding.
Take the time to pre-drill properly sized holes at every stud marking. This allows screws to drive in smoothly and maximizes their holding power.
Using Self-Tapping Screws for Mounting
Standard wood screws won’t work well on bare metal studs. Specialized self-tapping screws are designed to drill and tap their own threads into metal as they are driven in. Look for screws with these features:
Self-Tapping Point
A sharply tapered tip that starts drilling into metal on contact. The flutes around the tip channel metal shards out.
Machine Screw Threads
Coarse, machine screw-type threads (UNC) grip better than fine, wood screw threads (UNF).
Full Threads to the Head
Maximizes the threaded grip length in the metal studs. Partial thread screws have less holding power.
#8, #10, or #12 Diameter
Match the screw size appropriately to the cabinet hardware thickness. #8 and #10 screws are ideal for most cabinets.
1″ to 1-1/4″ Length
Long enough to fully penetrate a metal stud but avoid poking through the other side.
High quality self-tapping screws specifically made for metal come in many head styles like pan, truss, and washer heads. Use screws compatible with your cabinet hanging system.
Using Metal Stud Anchors for Added Support
For heavy upper cabinets like microwave housings, consider using additional metal stud anchors at installation points:
Toggler Brand Snaptoggle Anchors
Provide a strong threaded socket when expanded behind drywall. Combined with lag bolts or self-tapping screws, they securely anchor to metal studs.
Cutting Edge Brand Tog-L-Loc Anchors
Rotate into place behind drywall and expand into a threaded socket when a screw is driven in. Quick to install and very secure.
Monkey Hook Picture Hangers
Sturdy steel hooks that wedge tightly between the wall and studs. Best used in pairs or fours for cabinets.
Heavy Duty Hollow Wall Anchors
Plastic or metal sleeve anchors expand when a screw is inserted. Good added support for cabinets less than 30 lbs.
These metal-specific anchors provide extra strength when used with cabinets over 30 lbs. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully for proper use.
Combined with toggler anchors, upper cabinets and microwave housings can be securely installed according to appliance weight ratings.
Hanging Cabinet Boxes on French Cleats
French cleats are a popular system for hanging cabinets directly on studs. Here are tips for proper cleat installation:
Attach a 1×4 or 2×4 cleat securely to the wall studs first, at least two screws into each stud.
Pre-install a matching wall cleat to the back top of the cabinet.
Lock cabinet cleat into place by setting the cabinet on the wall cleat. Add screws through the cabinet back into the studs for maximum strength.
Use cleats rated for the cabinet weight. For 30″ base cabinets, 2×4 cleats are recommended.
French cleats allow you to hang cabinets like pictures on a wall. Just lift the cabinet into place so the two cleats lock together. Easy to install but provides very secure support.
Using Ledger Boards to Support Cabinets
Ledger boards (a.k.a mounting strips or hanging strips) offer another good mounting method:
Install 1×4 or 2×4 ledger boards horizontally, screwing them into each stud marked.
For full support, boards should span the complete width of the cabinet, screwed into every stud behind the cabinet.
Set the cabinet on the ledgers and screw through the cabinet back into the studs and ledgers. Two screws into each stud is ideal.
Use lag bolts or structural screws if ledger boards alone don’t seem substantial enough.
Properly spanned and fastened ledger boards distribute cabinet weight evenly across multiple studs. Sturdy and simple to install.
Installing Metal Base Cabinet Rails
Metal rails anchor base cabinets solidly down to the floor:
Mark and pre-drill pilot holes into the studs where rails will mount.
Use self-tapping screws to fasten flat metal rails (available at hardware stores) into the stud markings.
Set base cabinets into place so the metal rails fit inside a pre-cut groove in the cabinet bottom.
Secure with additional screws through the cabinet into the studs and rails.
Metal rails provide excellent lateral stability for base cabinets. The rails support weight while screws prevent tipping.
Helpful Tips for Successful Metal Stud Cabinet Mounting
Follow these additional tips for the strongest, most secure cabinet installation on metal studs:
- Whenever possible, position cabinets so at least one screw per stud can be driven. More screws equals greater holding strength.
- At bottom corners of wall cabinets, use diagonal bracing blocks attached to studs for increased stability.
- Use fender washers, split lock washers or thread locking fluid to prevent cabinet mounting screws from loosening over time.
- For specialty cabinets like medicine cabinets, be sure to follow manufacturer instructions for questions about mounting methods and hardware.
- Upper cabinets should have supports attached at the top and bottom for the sturdiest installation. Relying solely on wall attachment leaves cabinets weaker and prone to loosening.
- Don’t overload cabinets! Check appliance/storage weight ratings and distribute weight accordingly. Overloaded cabinets are at high risk of pulling away from the wall.
- When drilling and driving screws, be careful not to penetrate existing electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems hidden behind walls. Mind wall depth at all times.
Take it slowly, double check for studs before drilling, and use the best anchors and screws for metal and your cabinets will stay right where you want them, securely mounted to metal studs.
FAQs About Mounting Cabinets on Metal Studs
What type of screws should be used to mount cabinets onto metal studs?
Self-tapping screws specifically designed for fastening into metal should always be used, not standard wood screws. Look for coarse threaded screws with tapered tips made to drill and tap their own threads into metal as they are driven in.
How many screws should go into each metal stud to mount a cabinet securely?
For maximum strength, it’s recommended to drill two holes and drive two screws into each stud that will be covered by the cabinet width. More screws equals greater holding power when mounted on metal studs.
What is the recommended screw length for mounting cabinets to metal studs?
For most cabinet installations, 1 to 1-1/4″ screws are ideal. Long enough to fully penetrate the ~1/2″ thickness of metal studs but short enough to avoid penetrating all the way through and poking anything behind the wall.
Is it absolutely necessary to pre-drill holes in metal studs before driving screws?
Pre-drilling holes for screws in metal studs is mandatory, not just recommended. This prevents screws from snapping off or spinning in place when attempting to drive them through tough metal. Always pre-drill holes for cabinet mounting screws.
How far apart should ledger boards or mounting strips be installed when mounting cabinets on metal studs?
To fully support a standard 30″ wide base cabinet, ledger boards or mounting strips should be installed every 16″ horizontally to match the typical spacing of metal studs. This allows each board to be secured into studs at least at each end and provides continuous support underneath cabinets.
Can heavy upper cabinets or microwave ovens be safely mounted on metal studs?
Yes, but additional metal stud anchors like heavy duty toggler bolts should be used at the mounting points to reinforce the studs. Wood/sheet metal screws alone may not be sufficient for overhead cabinets beyond 30 lbs capacity. Always follow manufacturer instructions for microwave or medicine cabinet mounting.
What size wood boards work best for french cleats when mounting on metal studs?
For average-sized base cabinets like 30-36″ models under sinks, a 1″ x 4″ french cleat board should be sufficient. For wider base cabinets, tall pantry units, or heavy upper cabinets, 2″ x 4″ lumber is recommended to make the strongest cleats to attach into metal framing and support more weight.
What is the best way to find and mark the edges of metal studs behind a finished wall before installation?
Using a good quality electronic stud finder is the fastest and most reliable method. Move slowly and double check the readings. Back this up by looking for drywall seams or screw dimples as secondary indicators. Measuring out 16″ or 24″ intervals is not as precise. Knocking works only for verification.
What is the recommended drill bit to use for pre-drilling metal studs when mounting cabinets?
A high speed steel or carbide tipped drill bit, 8-10mm in diameter, is specially designed for drilling through tough metal quickly with the least wear. Lubricating the drill tip helps dissipate heat. Take care not to bend the bit or drill too aggressively. Apply steady, even pressure.
Conclusion
Installing cabinets securely on metal studs has its challenges, but many mounting options exist to help keep your cabinets sturdy for the long term. With the right preparation, screws, anchors, and hanging system, even heavy upper cabinets can be well supported.
The key is taking the time to properly mark stud locations, pre-drill pilot holes, and use heavy duty self-tapping screws and anchors designed specifically for metal. With careful installation and ample screws into each stud, your cabinets will gain strength over time as the screws bond tightly into the metal framing.
Mounting to metal studs opens exciting possibilities for kitchen, bathroom, garage, and utility room designs not possible with wood framing alone. Just be sure to follow the recommendations in this guide. Your cabinets will be rock solid on metal studs and provide beautiful storage for many years to come.