Removing Standard Width of Kitchen Base Cabinets

The standard width of kitchen base cabinets is about fifteen and a half inches. This is a standard that can be easily altered by cutting a few inches off the length of the base cabinet or by adding trim pieces at the top and bottom of the cabinets.

Removing the base cabinets is not difficult to do. With the exception of the three inch pine board strips at the base of the cabinet, the rest of the base will hold in place using the small lath board over the front of the base cabinets. If you are looking to cut out a larger opening, you can simply replace the lath with an expanded polystyrene sheet and your out doors will look like new.

When replacing the lath board, be sure to measure the door openings. You don't want to run out of lath when you need it most. The door openings can vary, depending on the design of the base cabinets, but there are some general guidelines that you should follow. The measurements will need to include the width and the height of the door opening.

If you can, it would be wise to measure the countertop as well to get an accurate measurement of the kitchen base cabinets. In many cases, the base cabinets will extend into the counter space, which means that the trim pieces need to be cut to fit snugly into the side spaces of the door opening.

It will help to mark each piece of trim pieces when cutting them out. Use a pencil or pen to make a line down one side of the piece of trim, followed by a line across the other side of the piece. These lines will allow you to cut the trim at each end and then place them on the counter once the door is fitted.

When installing the trim, be sure to take into account the depth of the counter depth. When cutting trim pieces to match the depth of the counter, be sure to use a bench knife rather than a serrated blade, as they are designed for a much deeper cut.

When trimming out the trim pieces, be sure to match the width of the trim pieces to the width of the door opening. If the door opening is a little wider than the piece of trim, it will allow you to place the trim pieces correctly, without them looking too bulky. If the door opening is smaller than the trim, it will allow for too much thickness, creating the need for trim pieces that will sit higher up on the counter.

Whether you are replacing a full length drawer or simply replacing a single drawer, be sure to use a rubber mallet to knock down any wood that is sticking out of the surface of the kitchen base cabinets. This will prevent the door from closing all the way on those hard to reach areas.