8
Installation Requirements (continued)
HIGH POINT LEVEL LINE
Measure out 20-7/8" from the wall (where the base cabinets toekick line will be) and snap a line on
the floor parallel to the wall.
To find the highest point on the floor, place one end of a straight 2 x 4 at the end of the cabinet run.
Place a carpenter’s level on top and check the bubble. Raise either end of the 2 x 4 until it is level.
Mark the floor at the end that makes contact with he floor. This is the high point.
Check all around the room where base cabinets will be installed. Then check from high point to high
point to determine the highest point.
When you are certain you have the highest point on the floor, place your straight edge on this point
and the other end against the wall.
Level the straight edge and mark the wall at the bottom of the straight edge. Do this in all directions
where cabinets will be located.
Measure 34-1/2" up from the high point level line. Use a level to strike a level line on the wall. This
is the Base Cabinet Top Level Line (without countertop). Do this on all walls that will receive base
cabinets.
Check for Square
Check for
High or Low
Spots
Check for
Plumb
Out of Square
In Square
UNEVEN WALLS & SQUARE CORNERS
Place a straight length of 2 x 4 against the wall to find any high or low spots in the area where the
cabinets will be located. Scrape or sand high spots. Mark low spots that will need shimming when
you install cabinets. The more you smooth out the walls, the less you will need to shim.
If walls have high spots that you cannot remove, you will need to have your Toekick Line measured
out 20-7/8" out from the high spot.
Place a 2 x 4 vertically on the wall with the 4’ level and check for plumb. This will tell you if you
need shims at the top or bottom of cabinets.
Check corners for “square.” Place a framing square into the corner where cabinets are to be
installed. If the framing square will not fit into the corner, you are ‘in’ square. You will need to come
out from the corner and run a straight line to the wall at the end of your row of cabinets.
If your framing square fits into the corner and one wall angles away from the square, you are ‘out’
of square. To correct this, you will start tight in the corner and shim your cabinets to keep them in a
straight line. If your cabinets are forming an “L” - shape, plan on spacing out the shortest length of
the “L.”
Mark these square lines on the floor. You will need to revise your 20-7/8" Toekick Line to be parallel
with your square line.