How to Hang Cabinets on Walls with Metal Studs

Hanging cabinets on walls with metal studs requires some special considerations compared to working with wood stud walls. With the right techniques and materials, you can securely mount cabinets on metal studs.

Understanding Metal Stud Walls

Metal stud walls are increasingly common in modern construction. They consist of vertical metal framing members called studs that are spaced 16 inches apart. The studs are made from thin galvanized steel and are available in various widths like wood studs.

Metal studs offer several benefits:

• They don’t warp, rot or attract termites like wood studs.
• They are non-combustible and won’t spread flames.
• They allow for channels in the wall to run electrical, plumbing and other utilities through.

However, how to hang cabinets on walls with metal studs requires different fasteners and methods than for wood stud walls because the metal is too thin and hard for traditional wood screws. Proper attachments are critical to provide a sturdy base for cabinets.

Tools and Materials Needed

To hang cabinets on metal studs, you will need:

• Stud finder for locating studs
• Level for checking for plumb/level
• Drill/driver
• Screwdrivers
• C-clamps (for helper)
• Cabinet rail or ledger board
• Self-tapping metal screws (at least 1 1/4″ long)
• Toggle bolts (if needed between studs)
• Washers for screws

Locating and Marking Studs

The first step is locating the metal studs behind the wall and marking their centers. Use a high-quality electronic stud finder suitable for finding metal studs. Scan the wall horizontally at the desired cabinet height. Mark the centers of each stud with a pencil.

Also mark the wall horizontally at the top of the cabinet height to use as a reference line. Having all stud centers marked ahead of time is crucial to ensure every screw hits its metal target.

Attaching a Ledger Board

Next, attach a sturdy wooden ledger board horizontally along the reference line. A ledger or cabinet rail provides a solid mounting surface and helps pull the cabinets tight and level against the wall.

Pre-drill holes in the ledger board aligned with each stud mark. Use self-tapping metal screws at least 1 1/4 inches long driven through the ledger and into the studs. Washers will help prevent screws from pulling through.

Have a helper use C-clamps to hold the ledger in position while driving the screws. The ledger board must be perfectly level end-to-end. Check with a level frequently while attaching.

Mounting Cabinets to the Ledger

With the ledger board securely fastened across multiple studs, you’re ready to mount the cabinets. Before lifting into place, pre-drill screw holes in the back top frame aligned with studs.

One or two screws into each stud typically provides plenty of holding strength. For wide cabinets spanning multiple stud bays, add toggles screws between the studs for extra support. Tighten all screws into the ledger board.

Check for level side-to-side and front-to-back. Make any adjustments before fully tightening screws. Attach doors, shelves and hardware to complete the installation.

Tips for Hanging Cabinets on Metal Studs

Follow these tips for the best results:

• Always hit studs. Spread screws across multiple studs.
• Use self-tapping screws for metal (not wood screws).
• Pre-drill holes in ledger and cabinet backs.
• Ensure ledger board is perfectly level.
• Add toggle bolts between studs if needed.
• Verify level before fully tightening screws.

Alternatives to Ledger Boards

While ledger boards are commonly used, you can also mount cabinets directly to metal studs in a few different ways:

• Use toggles bolts spaced every 12-16 inches across stud bays.
• Attach horizontal metal furring channels to studs, then mount cabinets.
• Use a French cleat system attached to studs.
• Install plywood or OSB sheets over studs to create a nailing surface.

Just be sure whatever method used provides a secure base into multiple studs for adequate support.

Hanging Upper Cabinets on Metal Studs

The same principles apply when mounting upper cabinets. But you’ll need to locate and mark studs at the higher mounting height. Attaching a ledger board provides a consistent base to install several upper cabinets in a row.

For extremely heavy upper cabinets, also installing an additional metal angle bracket connected into the wall studs adds shear strength. But in most cases, simply screwing directly into the studs alone is sufficient.

Conclusion

While how to hang cabinets on walls with metal studs takes a few extra steps compared to working with wood studs, the techniques are straightforward. The keys are properly locating studs, securely attaching a ledger board into multiple studs, pre-drilling all holes, and using the right fasteners. With attention to detail, you can safely hang cabinets on metal stud wall frames.