Before diving into the installation of a medicine cabinet, thoughtful consideration of several factors is essential. Imagine this scene: a woman standing in a bathroom, pondering the key aspects that warrant attention before embarking on the cabinet installation journey.
Considerations Before Installation:
In the context of a bathroom setup, there are two main types of bathroom medicine cabinets available:
1.Surface Mount Medicine Cabinet with Lights:
Affixes directly to the wall, eliminating the need to relocate plumbing or electrical lines behind it.
2.Recessed Mount Medicine Cabinet with Lights:
Installed within the wall, providing a built-in appearance and sleek design, often featuring deeper shelves compared to surface mount models.
For recessed mirrored cabinets, it involves cutting into the wall. When choosing a recessed LED cabinet, opt for a wall without electrical or plumbing lines. If the selected wall has outlets, going for a surface mount cabinet might be a simpler choice.
Moving plumbing or electrical lines should be handled by professionals for safety reasons. It's recommended to contact a certified plumber or electrician. To save on costs, selecting a surface mount medicine cabinet serves as a practical alternative. The Wellfor bathroom supply website offers a variety of medicine cabinets accommodating both surface mount and recessed preferences.
How to Install a Surface Mount Medicine Cabinet:
Let’s Getting Started:
1.Utilize a stud finder to locate studs in the wall and mark them with a pencil. If a stud finder is unavailable, tap on the wall – the sound will be different over a stud.
2.Inspect your new medicine cabinet. Most wall-mounted bathroom medicine cabinets come with pre-drilled strips attached to the top and bottom interior.
- Locate the pre-drilled strips on the back of your bathroom medicine cabinet.
- Measure the distance between them – typically 16 inches. Note any variations.
- Most wall studs are spaced 16 inches apart.
- If the distance between the strips aligns with two studs, you're ready to proceed.
- If not, reinforcement will be necessary for hanging the medicine cabinet with a mirror – this will be addressed in Drilling Pilot Holes and Driving Screws.
Marking the Wall and Measuring:
1.Consider removing the medicine cabinet mirror door or securely taping it shut for easier handling. Remove any shelves to create ample workspace.
2.Now, determine the placement and height of your LED medicine cabinet:
- Have a partner hold the cabinet against the wall.
- Align the medicine cabinet strips with the wall studs if possible.
- Ensure one wall stud is on the left side of the lighted cabinet and the other on the right.
- Choose a height – 72 inches is a standard starting point.
- Adjust the cabinet height to ensure visibility of at least your face and shoulders, considering the heights of other household members.
- Confirm the bathroom storage cabinet with light is level and plumb against the wall studs.
- Use a pencil to mark along the top and bottom of the lighted medicine cabinet.
Marking Drill Holes:
1.Remove the medicine cabinet from the wall and set it aside.
2.Locate the pre-drilled holes again.
3.Use a tape measure to measure from the top to the first pre-drilled hole (e.g., four inches).
4.From the top medicine cabinet line, measure down the same distance (e.g., four inches).
5.Mark that measurement on the wall.
6.Next, take the measurement from the top to the following pre-drilled hole and transfer that measurement.
7.Proceed with measuring and marking until all the holes from the cabinet are accurately transferred onto the wall.
Drilling Pilot Holes and Securing Your Medicine Cabinet:
1.Ensure your drill holes align with a stud; otherwise, follow the steps based on your anchor type.
2.For cabinets on both studs:
- Measure across for level holes.
- Measure down for a straight line; adjust if needed.
- With a partner, align the cabinet within the lines.
- Confirm that bathroom cabinet holes match pilot hole markings.
- Check cabinet levelness and alignment.
- Set down the lighted storage cabinet with mirror when measurements are verified.
3.Drill small pilot holes at each mark.
4.With your partner, align and hold the medicine cabinet in place.
5.Reach inside, drive screws through predrilled holes into the studs to secure the medicine cabinet.
2.For surface mount cabinets without studs:
3.Using Drywall Anchors:
- Insert anchors into pilot holes – ensure they support the bathroom cabinet's weight.
- Partner lifts and holds the nice cabinet, ensuring perfect alignment.
- Inside the modern cabinet, find pre-drilled holes.
- Insert screws into pilot holes – anchors expand as you drive in the screws.
4.Using Toggle Bolts:
- Partner holds the medicine cabinet in place.
- Insert toggle bolts into pre-drilled cabinet holes.
- Ensure the toggle passes through the cabinet and drywall; gently tap if needed.
- Toggle wings spring open in the drywall, providing support without a stud.
- Use a screwdriver to tighten the bolt. Secure the washer and bolt head inside the bathroom cabinet.
Completing the Surface Mount Medicine Cabinet Installation:
Once you've secured your bathroom medicine cabinet to the wall, finalize the installation by adding shelves and ensuring both levelness and security.
If you've taken off the door during the installation process, reattach it following the manufacturer's instructions. In cases where the door was simply taped shut for convenience, carefully untape it and remove any lingering adhesive residue. This meticulous attention to detail will ensure not only a visually appealing result but also a functional and secure addition to your bathroom storage.
Now that your bathroom surface mount medicine cabinet is in place, you've successfully elevated your bathroom storage. When selecting a medicine cabinet, whether surface mount or recessed, consider your preferences and the layout of your bathroom. Both options enhance functionality and style, providing you with a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for organizing your essentials.
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