Question 1

Do you place heavier loads on lower or middle shelves?

Accepted Answer

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Any of your garage shelves should be able to hold heavier loads, but it’s best to place heavier items on middle shelves. The only reason for this is to prevent injury—lifting heavy loads from down low requires squatting or bending over, which can lead to back injury, and lifting heavy loads off of high shelves in the garage can be especially dangerous if you drop them.

Question 2

How are kitchen wall cabinets attached?

Accepted Answer

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There are three primary ways to attach upper kitchen cabinets to a wall, and installers may use more than one method at a time. The most common method is to drive screws through the back of the cabinets and into studs in the wall behind. Sometimes cabinets are glued to the wall with strong adhesive. Often a combination of screws and adhesive is desirable. The last way is by hanging the cabinets on hardware brackets that attach to the wall before cabinet installation.

Question 3

What is the most common material for cabinet bases?

Accepted Answer

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Solid wood is the most common material for cabinet bases. It’s a popular choice because it’s durable and will hold up over time. Oak, maple, cherry, hickory, and pine are all types of solid wood that can be used to build cabinet bases. Other options include plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and other types of manufactured lumber, but they need to be sealed properly to avoid swelling, separating, and delamination from moisture.

Question 4

What is the role of a cabinet installer?

Accepted Answer

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A cabinet installer measures and designs cabinet units for homes and businesses, including determining how to hide large appliances in the kitchen. They then prepare the spaces and install either custom, semi-custom, or stock cabinets. These contractors may apply paint or stain, or they’ll hire a third party to perform these services.

Question 5

What is the 1/3 rule for cabinet hardware and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

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The 1/3 rule is a design guideline used by interior designers and cabinet installers to select appropriately sized pulls for cabinets and drawers. The rule suggests that for a balanced and cohesive look, a cabinet pull should be approximately one-third the height of the cabinet door or one-third the width of the drawer face. This guideline helps create a symmetrical appearance because the human eye tends to follow the length of the pull across the cabinet face.

While the 1/3 rule is a helpful starting point, it is not the only option. If a measurement falls between available pull sizes, it's generally best to size up. For an ultra-contemporary aesthetic, you can also opt for full-width pulls that span the entire drawer.