Can You Put a Recessed Medicine Cabinet in an Outside Wall
Yes, you can put a recessed medicine cabinet on an outside wall. For that, you need to detach the drywall, cut the exposed studs, take measurements for the cabinet frame and then assemble all your parts.
Constructing a medicine cabinet is simple and requires only a few basic tools. As an instance, standard poplar or oak components from the home center can be used. There is no need to rabbet or finish the back.
Can You Put a Recessed Medicine Cabinet in an Outside Wall
If your recessed medicine cabinet does fit between two wall studs, you may avoid the stud-cutting tasks detailed below. Wall frames are typically 16 inches in the center, or from one stud to the next. Look for recessed medicine cabinets that are less than 16 inches wide for simpler installation.
Remember that the stud-to-stud spacing must also be an appropriate placement for the cabinet, such as aligned with the bathroom sink. The step-by-step instructions are given below.
Detach Drywall
Remove drywall pieces from the studs and cut the drywall to the cabinet space dimensions penciled on the wall (s). To cut any drywall screws behind the stud, use a tiny handsaw (or hacksaw blade). As a result, when you cut and remove the stud, you won’t rip drywall from the other side of the wall.
Cut Displayed Studs
To make a recess, cut the exposed stud(s) at the top and bottom in line with the cabinet opening. Take cautions not to sever the opposing drywall. Check to see that the medicine cabinet fits easily into the opening (removing the door helps). If not, use a tool knife and/or a rasp to remove stubborn stains.
Take measurement
Next, measure for the blocking or cabinet frame, which will be pieces of two-by-four installed flush with the cut drywall at the top and bottom of the opening. The blocking will be attached horizontally to the neighboring studs and the cut stud ends.
Assemble the Parts Together
Apply construction glue to the blocking ends, then insert them between the studs and screw them in place. Add vertical blocking to the recess’s sides. When the adhesive has dried, screw your medicine cabinet into place.
Installing a Surface Mount Medicine Cabinet
Find the wall studs. Your main problem should be ensuring that the pre-drilled holes in your cabinet lineup with the wall studs. If studs are not available, drywall anchors or toggle bolts must be used. Now mark the location of the cabinet with a pencil and a tape measure.
Then measure from the top edge of the medicine cabinet to the drilled hole. Drill a pilot hole into the wall stud after measuring the same distance down the wall. Screw one side of the cabinet into the wall with a helper holding up the other side, check for level, then connect the other side. To secure the cabinet, tighten the screws.
Tools & Materials Needed to Install a Medicine Cabinet
Stud finder, tape measure, and pencil are the first things you will need to install a medicine cabinet. You will also be needing a drill, flashlight, utility knife, keyhole saw and hand saw.
Rasp, hacksaw blade, construction adhesive are also important for this task. You should have toggle bolts, expanding bolts, drywall anchors, and caulk for the attaching purpose. 8-10 ft. piece of 2×4 lumber will also be needed for the main structure.
Checking If Your Cabinet Wall is Load Bearing
It is load-bearing if it is an outside wall. Again, it is load-bearing if the inner wall is perpendicular to the rafters. Examine the floor underneath the wall (or the basement if it’s on the first story).
It’s most likely a load-bearing wall if there’s a wall, concrete footer, or girder right behind it. Examine the next floor above. It is load-bearing if there is a wall or supporting beam directly above the wall.
Check the Interior Wall
If you’re clear on the load-bearing aspect, you should inspect the interior of the wall. Mark out the wall area where the cabinet will go using a pencil and a level (to be safe, make the measurements approximately 14 inches bigger on each side; 72 inches high is usual for bathroom medicine cabinets).
Then, using a stud finder, find the stud(s) within the penciled rectangle. Cut tiny holes on either side of the stud(s) using a keyhole saw about 4 inches square. Take care not to tilt the saw any more than required. To remove the drywall simpler, drill a shallow screw before cutting and use it as a makeshift handle.
Look Inside the Wall
With your flashlight, check inside the wall. If pipes, vents, or other obstructions hinder installation, you may need to go with a surface mount cabinet. If the only thing standing in your way is a stud, you’ll have to cut it, so make sure there aren’t any objects drilled into it on the opposite side, such as a bookcase or cabinet.
FAQ
Can you mount a medicine cabinet on drywall?
Use drywall anchors, toggle bolts, or expanding bolts to install a surface mount cabinet that isn’t on studs. Use toggle bolts if you can’t find strong enough drywall anchors for your cabinet. To utilize drywall anchors for a wall-mount cabinet, follow these steps: Fill the pilot holes with drywall anchors.
Is flush mount the same as recessed?
This is done by carving a niche in the wall and inserting the rear of the fireplace into it. Flat mount installation is a sort of recessed installation in which the frame of the fireplace fits flush on top of the wall surface with no gaps while the rear of the fireplace is recessed into a wall.
What is the difference between a semi-flush and a flush mount fixture?
A flush mount lies flat on the ceiling, whereas a semi-flush hangs down several inches, leaving airspace between the ceiling and the fixture.
Conclusion
To be safe, examine the inside of the wall with a flashlight. If there are pipes, vents, or other obstructions, you may need to go for a surface mount cabinet. Also check for any unwanted plants are growing in the wall or not. Overall, if you find these steps a bit hard, then you can call an expert for this task.
