I'm trying to figure out the best practices for hanging cabinets securely, especially for things like curios, dishes, and books. Is there a handy tool or guideline, similar to the Sagulator, that can help me determine the right type, size, and number of fasteners to use? I'm comfortable using multiple #8 2.5" GRK cabinet screws into studs, but I want to know if there's a better, more reliable way to ensure my cabinets won't come crashing down!
2 Answers
For most cabinets, it seems like two screws per stud is standard. Just place one screw at the top and one at the bottom for each stud you hit. If you want a little extra assurance, you can add a third screw per stud, but anything more might be overkill!
From my experience, the general rule is to use at least 4 screws minimum per cabinet, but I've hung thousands with just 2 screws, and they hold up just fine. A single #10x2.5 washer head screw can support around 150 lbs on its own, so focus more on how sturdy your cabinet is rather than stressing over the screws. Just make sure you're hitting the studs; that's key!