Kitchen Cabinet

While having an assistant to help ensure safety and to lend a hand is desirable, if someone isn't around to assist, you can install kitchen cabinets on your own. Normal kitchen cabinet installation starts with the upper wall cabinets. If you're working on your own, consider installing the bases first and building a temporary support structure on top of them to help you install the uppers.

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.

The Janka Hardness Scale rates wood species according to their hardness levels or density. On the scale, hickory ranks as the most dense hardwood that is common for use in making cabinets. While there are woods that are harder, they're uncommon in cabinetry. Maple, oak, and walnut also rank relatively high on the scale and are excellent for use in cabinetry. 

Apply a sealant to your cabinets to repel water and moisture. This will help prevent further water damage from developing, such as mold and rotting wood. Lacquer, polyurethane, and varnish are commonly used sealants with waterproofing abilities. Brush them onto your cabinets and follow the manufacturer's instructions on drying time, which can take up to several hours.