Incorporating the following tips in the beginning of installation is crucial for a successful outcome. Perfection isn’t a goal, it’s an attitude!

1. Straight, Plumb and Level; Start straight, Stay straight!
   • There are limited tolerances regarding door and drawer head spacing, so it’s vitally important to start straight, plumb and level from the very beginning (this will give you the greatest flexibility with final adjustments)
   • Due to only small tolerances in gaps, shadow-lines and reveals, starting straight leaves you maximum room to get a clean finished product that matches the design
2. Shim Cabinetry as Needed
   • Walls and floors are rarely perfectly flat, straight and level, whereas cabinets are built to be square
   • Cabinet carcasses may need to be shimmed to obtain a level, plumb and square installation, ensuring all doors and drawers will be properly aligned and functional after final adjustments
   • Mount cabinets so shims are captured or trimmed
3. Follow Special Install Instructions for Cabinets and Hardware
   • Metropolitan provides printed installation instructions for cabinets that require special installation instructions
     • Such as corner diagonal and blind cabinets, as well as farm/apron front sink bases
     • This information is critical for the proper installation of these cabinets
   • For custom insert hardware, part-specific instructions are provided by Metropolitan, which will make your job of mounting and adjusting much more efficient
     • You will find these special instructions in the cabinet, with the mounted insert
4. Label drawer boxes, doors, and cabinets if detached
   • If any drawer boxes or doors are removed to simplify cabinet installation, they should be labeled with their correct box number and position
     • These parts are individually pre-adjusted on each cabinet, so their locations are not inter-changeable.
   • Include cabinet number, drawer number and, for doors, either hinge side or vertical orientation (i.e. this way UP)
   • A little blue painters tape can be a great asset

Further Reading