How to Mount a Recessed Medicine Cabinet in a Typical Wall

A recessed medicine cabinet solves a small bathroom's storage problems without taking up valuable space. Because the door on most recessed medicine cabinets doubles as a mirror, contractors usually mount a recessed medicine cabinet in the bathroom wall above the sink. If the bathroom's wall uses a typical 16-inch wall stud layout, the recessed medicine cabinet will slide between the wall studs without altering the stud spacing. Manufacturers make recessed medicine cabinets out of many different materials, including plastic, wood and stainless steel.

Instructions

Locate the wall studs in the bathroom wall using a stud finder. Mark the studs' location on the drywall with a pencil. Measure the distance between the wall studs, using a tape measure. If the distance between the studs equals or slightly exceeds 14 inches, the recessed medicine cabinet will slip between the wall studs without alteration.

Measure the height and width of the medicine cabinet's sleeve, the portion of the cabinet that slides into the wall, with the tape measure. Typically a sleeve measures 14 inches horizontally and 24-to-36 inches vertically.

Transfer the sleeve's measurements to the wall, keeping the sleeve's vertical measurement marks between the wall studs. Usually a contractor places the bottom horizontal measurement marks about 48 inches from the bathroom floor. Draw the sleeve's layout lines on the wall with a pencil, using the measurement marks as a placement guide and a 24-inch bubble level as a straight edge.

Cut a fist-size hole in the center of the sleeve's layout lines, using a keyhole saw to cut the drywall. Slip a hand into the hole and verify that the void between the studs doesn't contain any obstructions, such as wires or plumbing pipes. If the void contains an obstruction, either move the sleeve's location or install a surface-mount medicine cabinet.

Cut the drywall along the sleeve's layout lines, using the keyhole saw. Discard the drywall cutout.

Slip the recessed medicine cabinet's sleeve into the drywall hole, keeping the door's hinges facing the nearest corner. Push the sleeve into the hole until the cabinet's flange -- the exposed rim around the cabinet's exterior edge -- touches the drywall's surface.

Start a manufacturer-supplied mounting screw in each medicine cabinet screw hole, located inside the cabinet near the top and bottom of each vertical wall. Run about half of each screw into the stud behind its screw hole, using the correct screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise. If the manufacturer doesn't supply mounting screws, use 1/2-inch wood screws.

Close the medicine cabinet's door and verify that each side of the cabinet's flange rests tight against the drywall. If the cabinet has a gap between its flange and the drywall, loosen the mounting screw in the corner with the gap. Readjust the cabinet's position and tighten the screw. Repeat this procedure until all sides of the flange touch the drywall.

Snug each mounting screw against its vertical wall in the recessed medicine cabinet, using the screwdriver. Don't overtighten the screws.

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