Our home was built in the 70’s. The original medicine cabinet was mounted flat on the wall, and that’s the way it is today. I want to cut a hole in the wall and install a sunken, or in-wall medicine cabinet. The problem is that there will be at least one, and possibly two, studs to contend with. How do install the cabinet without compromising the integrity of the wall by simply cutting through the studs? Is there a special bracket or something?
Image taken on 2007-10-10 18:24:01 by Dead Air.
You will need to remove the studs and install a header to hold the studs.You may be able to use what you cut out to make your new support
Another issue may be water lines. One reason many builders used surface mount medicine cabs, was to save plumbing costs. If this is a mult-story home, with one Bath directly over the other, you may have this issue. To check the situation, mark the existing unit’s outline, in pencil, on the wall. Remove the old cabinet and carefully cut through the wall a horizontal inspection slot, staying within the area that the cabinet would cover. If you don’t like what you see, at least you can re-install the old cabinet, while you figure things out.
If there are no pipes, then you will need to cut out any stud(s) that are in the way. You will need to purchase the new unit and locate it on the wall, tracing the outline in pencil. You can then remove all the wall board in that area. Assuming that this is a non-load bearing wall, the existing studs should provide sufficient strength. To really do the job right, you should open up the wall to allow you to place double studs on each side of the opening, and horizontal studs (also doubled) at the top and bottom of the opening. It’s just like framing a window. On each side, the outer stud runs from floor to ceiling. Then an inner stud is cut so that double horizontal studs, the sill, will sit at the right height to support the bootom of the cabinet. Another short piece of stud brings the height to the top of the medecine cab. Two more cross pieces frame the top of the opening and a final vertical section brings it to the top of the full length stud. One or two short sections of 2×4 between the floor/ceiling and the horizontal members will ensure strength and integrity.
Taking studs out will damage the wall behind the Bath, too.
If you don’t feel the need for a complete, window-type frame, you can try to slip in upper an lower cross supports through the opening and attaching them to the nearest studs. Sometimes, using a 2×3, or ripping down the 2×4 makes it easier to slide in. I’ve pre-attached right angle brackets to each end. Slide the support into place, then tack it with a screw through the sheetrock, where the cabinet will cover. Then screw the other ends of the brackets to the wall studs, reaching through the hole.
what you need to do is open the wall cut the studs and then run a stud at the top and bottom across the ones you cut and tie them into the stud on both sides of thee ones you cut. you may need to make the opening a little larger then the cabinet. you should only have one stud to cut. most cabinets are about 18 ” wide i do believe.
You will need to lay the hole out with a pencil or some other marker that you can remove if you decide not to install the medicine cabinet. After you layout the cabinet where you would like it, check to see how many studs are in the way. If you decide to continue you will need to make a larger hole so you can put a header 2 X 4 above and below where the cabinet will be. This will tie in the studs and the integrity of the wall will remain. Make sure you allow for the thickness of the 2 x 4s you will be installing. In an existing wall it is better to use screws rather than nail because it will not tear-up the rest of the wall from the hammering.
You should also consider electrical that may be present in the wall because the medicine cabinet will take all the room in the wall.
Make sure you make a clean cut when you make your hole because you can use the scrap drywall to patch around the hole, plaster (drywall mud), and paint around hole.
Finally install the medicine cabinet as per manufacturer’s installation instructions.
I hope this information helps.