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Ply Cabinet Backer on TOH

FlyingContractor | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 12, 2007 12:18pm

Hey Guys,

Finally getting caught up on the “East Boston” TOH episodes, and I noticed they seemed to be running ply backers all along the walls in the kitchen for the cabinets.  I’ve never seen that, always just seen cabs against drywall.  Anyone doing this?  Advantages, etc.?

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Replies

  1. Mark | Mar 12, 2007 01:01am | #1

    I'm not familiar with this at all and I try to watch that show religiously.

    Do you mean they are attaching plywood strips to the wall over the drywall or plaster?  If so, how are they dealing with the space between the back of the cabinet and the wall?

    Or are they cutting out the drywall where the cabinets will go and screwing 1/2" plywood there in its place? 

    I can certainly see an advantage to the second scenario.  Plenty of backing to screw to without searching for studs, but there may wind up being some deflection in the plywood....also not much meat there to hold the screws.

    Or are you talking about the practice of screwing a temporary strip to the wall along a line where the bottom of the wall cabinet will go- for a place to "rest" the cabinet while screwing it to the wall, subsequently removing the strip after the upper cabinets are installed?

    " If I were a carpenter"
    1. FlyingContractor | Mar 12, 2007 01:12am | #2

      hard to exactly tell, but looked like full ply sitting slightly proud of the drywall, maybe 3/4 ply?

  2. MNMike | Mar 12, 2007 02:35am | #3

    I did that when I remodeled my kitchen.  Still tried to hit at least one stud for each cabinet, but the plywood means you get at lest 2 or three solidly anchored screws for each cabinet, even narrow ones.

    View Image

    1. FlyingContractor | Mar 12, 2007 05:03am | #7

      Nice work!

  3. MSA1 | Mar 12, 2007 03:40am | #4

    I'd do it if I could ever remember too. I believe they're using 1/2" ply against the studs then dw'ing around the ply.

    As it turns out i'm starting another house this week. If I remember to install it i'll let you know how well it works.

  4. Kgmz | Mar 12, 2007 04:58am | #5

    Have never used plywood.

    But since I design, draw up the plans, frame, and am the one who hangs the cabinets. I put in 2x4 or 2x6 blocking, (whatever scrap is laying around) where the cabinets will hang. The blocking is installed with the 4" or 6" side vertically so any wiring still has a place to go and gives more room for adjustments. I also always try and hit a stud, but this gives a more secure place for cabinets that don't have a good enough place to screw into, such as end units and narrow cabinets.

    I put on blocking at both the tops and bottoms of where the wall cabinets will be mounted.



    Edited 3/11/2007 9:59 pm by Kgmz

    1. FlyingContractor | Mar 12, 2007 05:06am | #8

      I've always done lots of blocking too, but I am thinking the ply is a pretty good way to go now!

  5. User avater
    Mongo | Mar 12, 2007 05:03am | #6

    There have been many times where I've used 3/4" ply over the studs, then drywalled over the ply.

    I've done that in showers as well, 3/4" ply over the framing, cement board on the ply, Kerdi over the cement board.

    Mongo

    1. User avater
      Mongo | Mar 12, 2007 05:08am | #9

      Forgot to add the pic:

      View ImageABOVE: Plywood shower

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