In This Post:
Types of Wooden Cabinets in Pakistan
Tools and Materials Required
Step-by-Step Guide on Installing Cabinets
Installing cabinets in the kitchen or anywhere in the house may sound like a daunting task and usually requires seeking professional help in Pakistan. Correct measurements, appropriate material, and the equipment required are some challenges that a novice gets stuck with. However, if you are on a tight budget and looking to save some money on your upcoming house remodelling project, you can easily take help from our step-by-step guide on how to install cabinets like a pro.
Before we begin, here are the best types of wooden cabinets in Pakistan to broaden your choices, along with the list of tools and materials that you will require to install cabinets.
So, without further ado, let’s get installing!
Most Common Materials for Wooden Cabinets in Pakistan
Before we begin explaining the types of wooden cabinets in Pakistan, we recommend that you get ready-to-install cabinets for your DIY process. You can get them custom-made from anywhere in the market or just walk-in and buy the ones that are readily available to fit in any room. If you get ready-made cabinets, you can also uninstall and reinstall them anywhere you like.
Again, it is totally up to you whether you want to get going with the choices available in the market or start from scratch by getting them custom-made. Regardless of what you choose, it is important to know what you are buying to ensure the quality of your cabinets. Make sure your cabinets last for as long as you want them rather than becoming a home to termites and other house pests.
So, just for your convenience, we have shortlisted the three most popular types of wood used for cabinets in Pakistan, along with their rates:
- Plywood
- Lasani wood
- Chipboard
Plywood
Plywood is made from a combination of compressed word sheets that are covered with veneer. Although it is majorly used for kitchen cabinets for its termite-resistant properties, it can be used for wardrobes as well. The starting price of plywood cabinets is around PKR 5,800 for an 8×4 sheet.
Lasani Wood
Lasani wood – also commonly known as engineered wood – is composed by breaking down pieces of solid wood into fibres. In comparison with plywood, Lasani wood is generally denser. It is free of knots or rings and is covered with veneer coating to make it appear like real wood. It is popular due to its affordability. Speaking of which, the price of Lasani wood in Pakistan lies anywhere between PKR 2,800 to PKR 9,000 for an 8×4 sheet.
Chipboard
Chipboard is a low-density fibreboard. On the scale of quality, it is more or less equal to Lasani wood since it is also made up of engineered wood. It is deemed as the cheapest wood for cabinets in Pakistan. Chipboard is mostly used for cabinets, furniture, and doors. Most of the ready-to-install cabinets in the market are made up of particleboard. Buying an 8×4 feet chipboard sheet can cost you around PKR 1,200 without lamination, and with lamination, it can cost you around PKR 1,800 per sheet.
Now that you have a solid understanding of the common types of wood used for cabinets in Pakistan, let’s take a look at the required tools and materials for installing the cabinets.
Tools and Materials Required
Make sure you have all the materials and tools in place before you begin the work. Whether you are installing kitchen cabinets or cupboards, here’s a list of some essentials you will need to carry out the project by yourself:
- Adhesives
- Drill
- Hammer
- Levelling Tape
- Carpenter’s Pencil
- Clamps
- Ready-to-install cabinets
- Metal Screws
- Shims
- Stud finder
How to Install Cabinets in a Few Easy Steps
We had previously shared a comprehensive guide on DIY door installation and a beginner’s guide on how to tile a bathroom floor. Continuing with the same efforts to help you save some money, here’s our step by step guide on how to install cabinets in the kitchen or anywhere in your house:
- Step 1: Mark the Studs in the Wall
- Step 2: Hang Support Board
- Step 3: Attach Cabinets Together
- Step 4: Install the Upper Cabinets
- Step 5: Install the Base Cabinets
Step 1: Mark the Studs in the Wall
If you have both upper and lower cabinets, we recommend that you install upper cabinets first. Before you begin mounting the cabinets, you should remove all the doors from them, so they are easier to carry for you. It is just an additional step, so you can skip this one if you are confident enough to handle the cabinets with doors.
Then, move to the next step by marking the studs. Although it is a crucial step in installing cabinets by yourself, a successful installation process starts with a calculated layout. Here’s what you need to do:
- Measure at least 56 inches from the ground on the wall using a levelling tape.
- Mark this spot with a horizontal line and then using the stud finder, mark all the studs in the wall.
- Use vertical lines to mark studs in the wall all the way from the ceiling to the ground.
Step 2: Hang Support Board
Hanging upper wall cabinets can be a bit challenging, so you should hang a ledger or a supporting board to make sure everything stays in place. This will also help you make sure that all the cabinets are on the same level.
Step 3: Attach Cabinets Together
At this point, you can attach two cabinets together before lifting them and fitting them. It can save you a lot of time and energy. Make sure you use a clamp to ensure everything is aligned. Now, drill one screw at the top and another at the bottom. Do not drill too many screws. If anything goes wrong, you can easily remove the screws and rectify.
We recommend not attaching two cabinets together if you are working alone, it can be a lot of stress, and it can be a little heavy to lift.
Step 4: Install the Upper Cabinets
The next step is installing the cabinets on the ledger or support board. Lift the cabinets you have and screw the attached cabinets into the studs [that you have marked on the wall]. Since you have marked the studs all the way up to the ceiling and down to the ground, you can easily see where the studs are marked, even with cabinets in the way. Repeat all these steps and install all the cabinets you have.
At this point, make sure to not go overboard and drill too many screws. It is best to use two to three screws per stud.
Further, if you notice that the cabinets are not sitting well with the wall, the first thing you should do is not to panic or doubt your alignment. If you notice a gap between cabinets and walls – it is completely normal since not all walls are perfectly levelled. You can use a shim to correct the level of cabinets with the level of walls. Remember to ask for a shim when you are purchasing cabinets.
Before moving to step 5. we would like you to know that it is only for people who are looking for an answer of how to install base cabinets. However, if you do not have any base cabinets, your work ends on step 4.
Step 5: Install the Base Cabinets
If you are installing cabinets in the kitchen, you will need an additional step to install the base cabinets. Install the upper cabinets first to simplify and streamline the installation. Before you begin installing the cabinets, you should know that some floors, just like walls, can be uneven, too.
If you come across any such problem, do not stress out. Here’s what you should do:
- Measure the height of the cabinets with a levelling tape.
- Make sure there’s enough working space between the upper and lower cabinets. Leave at least 26 inches in between – or if you have a backsplash, it can be easier to define where you should start placing your lower cabinets.
- Put the cabinets on the wall and attach them with the studs using a drill machine.
- Add shim to detach the excess gap anywhere in the wall or floor.
So, this was our take on how to install cabinets like a pro. There are several technicalities involved in installing cabinets in the kitchen or anywhere in the house, and we have broken them down into steps to help you complete the task successfully and satisfactorily. If you have any further questions, you can write to us at blog@zameen.com or message us on our Facebook page. Remember to be extremely careful and calculated. Take a few days off your work before you start the project since it requires your full attention, and a little careless mistake can cost you big time.
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