Cabinet hanging question.

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MikeSchinlaub

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My new kitchen cabinets are laminated particle board. Would a normal deck screw counter sink itself in well, or should I get some wafer head screws?

20251012_164717.jpg
 
tpenfield

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I would use screws with a flange. Also use thicker screws, pre-drill as needed
 
alldodge

alldodge

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^^Agree
I would suggest cabinet screws
Flat head screws will penetrate and go flush but it doesn't have the holding strength
 
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MikeSchinlaub

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Thanks guys. I'll look for some wafer head (which is what spax calls them) screws tomorrow. The ones I have are only 1 1/4 inch.
 
FLATHEAD

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I second the finish washers. Very common way to fasten cabinets , looks nice and clean.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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I used cabinet screws (flanged head screws) for the lowers.

for the uppers, I used "landscaping screws" which were just a 3-1/2 x #14 cabinet screw with an oversized flange. may be overkill, however the wife has something like 900# of dishes and appliances in the over-sized cabinets
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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Cabinet screws all the way. Besides the washer head the threads are different than a regular screw. Do some googling to find what you need for what you are doing.
 
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MikeSchinlaub

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redneck joe said:
Cabinet screws all the way. Besides the washer head the threads are different than a regular screw. Do some googling to find what you need for what you are doing.
Click to expand...
A bit late for that, about half of the cabinets are up. 3 inch spax cabinet screws should leave 1/8in of stud. 2x2 studs, 5/8 drywall, and 1/2 sheets on the cabinets.
 
tpenfield

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Finding the studs in the wall can be a challenge, but you only need to find them below the cabinet and go up vertically. Often the problem is that the spacing of the studs don't give you a lot of locations to put screws.

If you are going right up to the ceiling, which it looks like, you may be able to hit the lower of the 2 cap studs inside the wall with a screw, giving you more holding power. Based on the dimensions you mentioned and the pictures, you probably want 3.5" or 4" screws. Construction screws may be good for this. Even with the cabinets already installed, you may want to go back an install a few more screws along the inside top of the cabinet, if you can hit the cap 2x. See my illustrative handy work below.
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Screenshot 2025-10-19 at 4.49.30 AM.png
 
redneck joe

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That's what I did in the bedroom. I essentially made (almost) floorboards ceiling cabinets. Lots of space gained.
 
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MikeSchinlaub

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tpenfield said:
Finding the studs in the wall can be a challenge, but you only need to find them below the cabinet and go up vertically. Often the problem is that the spacing of the studs don't give you a lot of locations to put screws.
Click to expand...
I marked the studs on the floor, but I should have done that before I covered all the drywall screws. It would've been easier.

tpenfield said:
If you are going right up to the ceiling, which it looks like, you may be able to hit the lower of the 2 cap studs inside the wall with a screw, giving you more holding power.
Click to expand...
My place isn't built like that. It's a very old trailer home with 2x2 studs, a single stud header, and rafters sitting on top of the studs. It even still has the rafter for the original flat roof.

tpenfield said:
Based on the dimensions you mentioned and the pictures, you probably want 3.5" or 4" screws.
Click to expand...
Those would go past the studs.
2in stud + 5/8in drywall + 1/2in cabinet panels = 3 1/8in total. I'm puttinf in as many screws as I can, and the 2 deeper ones are also getting a row going up into the rafter.

I should also mention, the neighbor has been helping me. We took a break for lunch before picking this one up yesterday, but he didn't come back. He's in his 80s and was splitting wood all morning before that, I'm not going to complain.
 
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