Adding wall cabinets to walls with metal studs

[NJblue]

Does anyone have any experience with adding wall cabinets to walls with metal studs? I have talked with two different local dealers and also done some web-based research. One dealer said that you can put cabinets up as long as they are "small" - i.e., no more than 12 inches deep and 30 inches tall. Another dealer said there is no problem putting deeper and taller cabinets on metal studs. The web source did not recommend putting any cabinets on metal studs without first cutting the sheetrock and installing 2x4 nailing strips in the wall, between the studs.

In walking through houses that are in the rough-in stage, I noticed that the builders for TV do have 2x4 nailers wherever they will be putting wall cabinets.

I want to add wall cabinets in our laundry room of our Lantana (both above the washer/dryer as well as in the other part of the room to create an office. However, I don't particularly like the idea of the cabinets falling down. Has anyone either done this themselves or noticed how your installer did this? Did you stick with standard sized wall cabinets?

[SteveFromNY]

NJBlue, I'd have to partially agree and partially disagree with the responses. Most wall cabinets are 12" deep. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen one deeper (other than base cabinets). Height of the cabinets (which typically are 30" or 42") would be kind of irrelevant as the depth would dictate how much pulling force would be exerted on the anchors. And certainly there are house in TV with 42" cbinets.
So the height shouldn't matter, but the depth would (IMHO).
As for how to anchor, I'd also check with Home Depot and Lowes - they must sell quite a few in TV to folks with metal studs. They should give some ideas too. And be able to tell you what to buy.
One question for you - what were those hanger strips attached to that you saw in the homes being built?
Good luck and keep posting as I am planning the same thing at some point.

[NJblue]

NJBlue, I'd have to partially agree and partially disagree with the responses. Most wall cabinets are 12" deep. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen one deeper (other than base cabinets).


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One question for you - what were those hanger strips attached to that you saw in the homes being built?


If you check around, some manufacturers do make deeper cabinets. I have seen 16 inch cabinets and I believe even 20 inch.

The hanging strips are nothing more than 2x4 pieces cut to length to fit between the metal studs and placed at the height appropriate for the cabinets to be hung. They are either screwed in from the other side of the stud (i.e., into the end grain on either side) or from the lip of the metal stud into the edge of the 2x4.

[Keedy]

I don't have any experience with metal studs but Steve is right. It is the shear strength you have to worry about. That is the force of the weight going directly down. That's where the 2x4 nailers would come in handy.

[Shirleevee]

Try calling Tim the Tool Man, we discussed cabinets in our laundry room (Juniper), and he mentioned that he had installed them

[TrudyM]

I think if you could hit two studs with every cabinet you would be ok as the shear load of the cross piece is being transfered into the studs anyway.
The reason for the nailing blocking between the studs is that you will rarely have the cabinet fall perfect on two studs IE a15 or 18" wide cabinet would fall on two studs that are 16 on center fine but the one next to it would have nothing to grab to.

The easiest is to cut out and insert the nailing blocking or to nail a 1 by 4 ontop of the wall both at the top and bottom behind where the cabinets will be and secure it into the studs and then secure the cabinets into the 1 by 4. I noticed them doing this in Atlanta where everyone was using IKEA cabinets. You have to be careful that the ends of the 1 by 4 fall on a stud. (no IKEA in central FLA boo hoo, their system uses a metal rail to hang the cabs so problem solved)
If you went this route you would have to have deeper cover panels on the end and or put trim around to cover the 3/4 inch gap.

We move and remodel alot can you tell :smiley:

[downeaster]

I want to add wall cabinets in our laundry room of our Lantana (both above the washer/dryer as well as in the other part of the room to create an office. However, I don't particularly like the idea of the cabinets falling down. Has anyone either done this themselves or noticed how your installer did this? Did you stick with standard sized wall cabinets?

I added wall cabinets over our washer/dryer years ago. I attached them directly to the metal studs and have had no problems. Of course they do not carry the weight some cabinets carry. Bottom shelves hold various spray bottles and other shelves devoted to paper products.If I were adding cabinets to hold canned goods or dishes I would probably do it differently.

[tonycirocco]

Just a note to say there IS an IKEA store in central FL., but it's in Orlando.

Same thing for Apple store....arghhh
Tony

[TrudyM]

Just a note to say there IS an IKEA store in central FL., but it's in Orlando.

Same thing for Apple store....arghhh
Tony

Thrilled to be wrong. When we where in Atlanta there wasn't one but I see now one opened in 2007. Thanks so much for the update. I love to buy their lighting fixtures and take them apart to use with stained glass much cheaper than making them up from parts, also great closet organization stuff.

[johnfarr]

Interior walls have 24" metal stud spacing, not 16". Exterior walls are wood with 16" spacing. It drove me crazy until I finally figured it out.

[Autoshow]

Metal studs placed in interior walls can go any distance apart but no more than 24 inches. allstuds on perimator of home will be wood and the will be 16 inches apart

[Autoshow]

Metal studs placed in interior walls can go any distance a part but no more than 24 inches. allstuds on perimitor of home will be wood and the will be 16 inches on center

[mulligan]

I have a tendency to overbuild, but the way to do this with a minimum of me and maximum support would be to fit a piece of 5/8 or 3/4" plywood to the wall, covering the entire area where the cabinets will be installed. Use1-1/2" drywall screws and plenty of construction adhesive. Then the cabinets can be screwed at any interval-more screws for more weight.

[handieman]

My experience with wall cabinets installed on interior walls with metal studs is to forget using the studs for any strength. I use very large hollow wall anchors, the ones with spring loaded wings,(requires a 3/4 inch clearance hole).
I install 4 per cabinet and use appropriate washers to allow the anchor head to cover the 3/4 inch clearance holes
My experience with using lag screws and hitting the metal studs is that the metal studs are so thin the lag easily strips loose
Handie