I recently removed my old over-the-range microwave to replace it, and I discovered that the base of the cabinet is in pretty rough shape. The particle board is mostly just hanging on by some visible nails that seem to be coming loose. There are also multiple holes in the board, probably from previous microwave installations where they didn't measure right. I'm trying to figure out how to repair this without having to replace the entire cabinet. Can I just replace the bottom particle wood? Is using nails the best option? And is it okay that the bottom piece isn't attached to the front face?
1 Answer
Your over-the-range microwave should be supported mainly by the mounting bracket that comes with it. The screws at the top don’t really bear much weight. I’d suggest sinking some screws into the particle board from underneath to stabilize it. Just double-check that when you install the new bracket or plate, it goes into the studs for solid support.
So it’s cool that there are lots of holes in the particle board? I mean, if the bracket is doing most of the heavy lifting, that should be fine, right? And since I'm using the same microwave, I guess the existing holes will work too?