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can you put a recessed medicine cabinet in an outside wall

by Noah Leffler Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If the installation calls for the recessed medicine cabinet to be installed in an exterior wall, it probably will not work. The framing for recessed cabinets requires modifications that shouldn't be done to an exterior wall.Dec 3, 2014

Full Answer

What is the best way to hang a medicine cabinet?

When installing a medicine cabinet that’s on both studs, follow these steps:

  • Measure across to make sure your holes are level.
  • Measure down to make sure they’re in a straight line. ...
  • With a partner, hold the cabinet so it’s within the lines.
  • Make sure the cabinet holes align with your pilot hole markings.
  • Check to see that the cabinet is still level and plumb.
  • Set down the cabinet when all the measurements are verified.

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How to install a basic medicine cabinet?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Cutting a Hole for a Recessed Cabinet Download Article

  1. Locate the wall studs. Use your stud finder to locate the wall studs. ...
  2. Hold the cabinet in place and trace its outline. Hold the cabinet in its intended position and use a level to make sure it’s straight.
  3. Measure your cabinet width and stud distance. ...
  4. Cut an inspection hole. ...
  5. Cut out a hole along the outline of the cabinet. ...
  6. Notch the studs if necessary. ...

How to replace medicine cabinet shelves?

How to Replace Surface-Mounted Medicine Cabinets with Shelves

  1. Remove the Cabinet. Empty the medicine cabinet and use a knife or any type of blade to work with any caulked seams between the cabinets and molding.
  2. Fix the Wall. After removing the medicine cabinet, fill the holes from the cabinet screws with the use of a putty knife and spackle or joint compound.
  3. Measuring and Cutting Shelves. ...

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What to do with medicine in your cabinet?

Ways to do this:

  • Store it up high (may not work if you have a climber)
  • Lock the cabinet
  • Lock up the box that holds the medicine

Where do medicine cabinets go?

How many holes do you need to cut for a medicine cabinet?

How to find out if a cabinet has wires?

Can you use 2x4 block for medicine cabinet?

Can you cut through drywall?

Can you cut drywall on a wall?

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Can you surface mount a recessed medicine cabinet?

A recessed medicine cabinet needs to be anchored inside the wall to rectangular framing. This framing must be clear of all obstructions. If there are any wires or plumbing lines that cannot be relocated you will need to install a surface-mount cabinet, rather than a recessed cabinet.

What is the difference between recessed and surface mount medicine cabinet?

There are two types of medicine cabinets: recessed and surface-mount. Surface-mount cabinets jut into the room. Recessed cabinets, which require more planning to avoid outside walls or walls with plumbing, have a built-in look. Surface-mount cabinets have a bigger presence in a room than recessed cabinets.

Can you semi recess a medicine cabinet?

There are three different ways to install a medicine cabinet: surface installation, recessed, and semi-recessed.

Where should a medicine cabinet be placed?

Hold the cabinet in place and make sure it's level. Position the cabinet at a height accessible to your household members. Usually 72 inches from the floor is a good place to start, then adjust the height according to your needs. Place a level at the top of the cabinet to make sure it's straight.

Are medicine cabinets in Style 2022?

In 2022, we are seeing the old school not so sexy medicine cabinet reinvented into a clean, seamless, custom mirrored cabinet design.

How do you install a recessed cabinet?

5:4010:13How To Install A 24 Inch Recessed Medicine Cabinet. Easy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLevel. All right we'll do the same thing on the side of it. And we're going to make.MoreLevel. All right we'll do the same thing on the side of it. And we're going to make.

What can I do instead of a medicine cabinet?

7 Ways to Organize a Bathroom Without a Medicine Cabinet or DrawersMake your door do double-duty.Don't waste the space over your toilet.Declutter your counter with organizers.Hang a magnet board for beauty items.Put a mini shelf over your faucet.Make space on your shower curtain.More items...•

Are medicine cabinets in or out?

Some people question whether these cabinets might be a bit out-of-date. However, the fact is that they're only as outdated as their style. The actual medicine cabinet fixture is still one that has a place in almost every bathroom.

Can I recess a bathroom cabinet?

If your wall is load bearing, you can still install a recessed bathroom mirror cabinet. If your cupboard can fit between two studs, there's little to worry about. Otherwise, you may want to consider calling a professional to get the job done.

Are medicine cabinets in or on the wall?

A recessed medicine cabinet is installed inside a wall. A surface mount cabinet is attached to the wall studs. Read on to find out which cabinet type works for your bathroom.

What is the standard size for a recessed medicine cabinet?

For compact vanities 30 to 36 inches wide, a 20 x 24-inch medicine cabinet is a good fit. For mid-size vanities 42 to 48 inches wide, a 30 x 24-inch medicine cabinet is a good fit. For larger vanities approximately 60 inches wide with a double sink, choose two smaller medicine cabinets to go above the faucets.

What is the rough opening for a recessed medicine cabinet?

Provide framed rough wall opening 14" wide x 23-5/8" high (355 x 600mm). Minimum recessed depth required from finish face of wall is 3-1/2" (89mm). Allow clearance for construction features that may protrude into rough wall opening from opposite wall.

What is recessed and surface mount mean?

Recessed mounting is great for the places with lower ceilings or the places without enough height to hang the fixtures. In contrast, surface mounting is applicable to all applications, including lighting construction and retrofit. It just need a flat surface to mount the fixtures.

How do you tell if a medicine cabinet is recessed?

A recessed medicine cabinet is installed inside a wall. A surface mount cabinet is attached to the wall studs.

What is recessed surface mount?

Recessed – this is where the entire doorbell push-button mechanism is set inside the wall or mounting surface.

Is flush mount the same as recessed?

Flush mount, or semi-flush mount light fixtures are typically encased in glass housing which allows light to diffuse or spread throughout and entire space. Recessed lighting, on the other hand, provides vertical downlighting, and can require more fixtures to achieve the same level of brightness within a room.

7 Steps to Installing a Recessed Medicine Cabinet

If you find that your bathroom could use a little help with organization, medicine cabinets are a great way to store items in your bathroom while reducing clutter. They come in a wide range of styles and sizes and allow you to take advantage of wall space to help better organize toiletries and other personal items kept […]

Recessed medicine cabinet install - YouTube

Easy way to install a recessed Kohler medicine cabinet in the wall. Tips & tricks to avoid plumbing and electrical for an easy install.If you want to have y...

Medicine cabinet height recommendation - DIY Home Improvement Forum

What is the recommended height to mount the medicine cabinets? The vanity is 35" tall. The medicine cabinets are 33" tall. What should the gap b/w the bottom of the medicine cabinet and the top of vanity be? I'm 5'9". Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Recessed Medicine Cabinet on Exterior Wall. Insulation behind?

I'm trying to figure the best *if possible* way to install a recessed medicine cabinet on an exterior facing wall. Right now all I can think of is using 2x2 lumber to fir out my 2x6 wall, so that the medicine cabinet still allows 3.5" of room for insulation behind it. (Assuming 3.5" deep cabinet, and 2x6 + 2x2 = 7" depth) I would only use 2x2's for the width of the vanity, and then return to ...

rough height of medicine cabinet from floor - DoItYourself.com ...

I am installing a new vanity/countertop/sink in a remodelled bathroom. The plumbing puts the vanity/sink in the corner. The vanity installed OK with only small gaps (1/8") at the edges.The "cultured marble" sink/counter seems to end up with almost a 1/4" gap on either the back (edge away from the corner) or the side (again, edge away from the corner).

Where do medicine cabinets go?

While the medicine cabinet goes directly above the bathroom sink in many bathrooms, that's not always the case. No matter which wall will house the cabinet, you'll need to locate the nearby studs, as some of the framework you'll need to support the cabinet involves the studs. The studs are 16 inches apart center to center in most homes, ...

How many holes do you need to cut for a medicine cabinet?

If you can't see the entire area slated for the medicine cabinet, you'll have to cut test holes to investigate. Cut one or two 4-inch square test holes with a keyhole saw within the area marked for the recessed medicine cabinet.

How to find out if a cabinet has wires?

To find out whether any pipes or wires are in the wall where the cabinet belongs, you'll have to look inside the wall. If there's a plumbing access panel below your work area, this could prove helpful if you have a clear view inside the wall looking upward.

Can you use 2x4 block for medicine cabinet?

You'll also need to install 2x4 blocking as a framework for the medicine cabinet, especially if there aren't wall studs perfectly aligned with the left and right sides of the hole in the wall. These new 2x4 pieces attach to the stud ends cut out of the hole or to studs just beyond the cutout area of the hole.

Can you cut through drywall?

Don't cut through or damage the drywall on the other side of the hole. Once the hole is free from debris, test fit the medicine cabinet. A utility knife comes in handy for cutting away jagged bits of drywall blocking the cabinet.

Can you cut drywall on a wall?

If wall studs are within the perimeter of the outline on the wall, just cut and remove the drywall within the outline as much as possible. It's OK if some of the drywall attached to the studs within the outline doesn't come off easily; just work on cutting out the hole for the medicine cabinet. Any drywall pieces attached to a stud within ...

Where do medicine cabinets go?

While the medicine cabinet goes directly above the bathroom sink in many bathrooms, that's not always the case. No matter which wall will house the cabinet, you'll need to locate the nearby studs, as some of the framework you'll need to support the cabinet involves the studs. The studs are 16 inches apart center to center in most homes, ...

How many holes do you need to cut for a medicine cabinet?

If you can't see the entire area slated for the medicine cabinet, you'll have to cut test holes to investigate. Cut one or two 4-inch square test holes with a keyhole saw within the area marked for the recessed medicine cabinet.

How to find out if a cabinet has wires?

To find out whether any pipes or wires are in the wall where the cabinet belongs, you'll have to look inside the wall. If there's a plumbing access panel below your work area, this could prove helpful if you have a clear view inside the wall looking upward.

Can you use 2x4 block for medicine cabinet?

You'll also need to install 2x4 blocking as a framework for the medicine cabinet, especially if there aren't wall studs perfectly aligned with the left and right sides of the hole in the wall. These new 2x4 pieces attach to the stud ends cut out of the hole or to studs just beyond the cutout area of the hole.

Can you cut through drywall?

Don't cut through or damage the drywall on the other side of the hole. Once the hole is free from debris, test fit the medicine cabinet. A utility knife comes in handy for cutting away jagged bits of drywall blocking the cabinet.

Can you cut drywall on a wall?

If wall studs are within the perimeter of the outline on the wall, just cut and remove the drywall within the outline as much as possible. It's OK if some of the drywall attached to the studs within the outline doesn't come off easily; just work on cutting out the hole for the medicine cabinet. Any drywall pieces attached to a stud within ...

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1.Recessed medicine cabinet on outside wall - cold? - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2275457/recessed-medicine-cabinet-on-outside-wall-cold

21 hours ago  · 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 …

2.Recessed cabinets on exterior wall? - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5335643/recessed-cabinets-on-exterior-wall

18 hours ago Recessed medicine cabinets require cutting into a wall. When installing a recessed medicine cabinet, try to choose a wall without electrical or plumbing lines behind it. Otherwise, the lines …

3.How to Install a Recessed Medicine Cabinet | Hunker

Url:https://www.hunker.com/13725846/how-to-install-a-recessed-medicine-cabinet

32 hours ago  · If you want to have the full R-value of your wall insulation, consider installing a surface-mounted medicine cabinet. There are two advantages to this type of cabinet: 1. The …

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