DIY Guide: Installing Toe Kick on Cabinets

After you’ve set the toe kick in the right spots and are ready to start assembling, it’s time to start cutting.

Here are a few tips on cutting toe kicks:

• • Cut once, measure twice, and try fitting the toe kick after each cut. You’ve made it this far on your cabinet installation, don’t ruin it now.
  • Use a sharp blade: The back of some toe kick ends will be seen after installation. It’s important not to “blow out” the toe kick back and create a splintered mess. I use the five-star rated Makita 80-tooth crosscut blade  on my miter saw.
    
  • Avoid 45-degree cuts on inside corners. It’s much easier to install at a 90-degree angle.
  • Cut the toe kick lying flat on the miter saw with the finished side up.
  • Cut slowly to avoid splintering the back of the toe kick – but not slow enough that you burn the ends
  • Lastly, use a wood sander to buff the cut end for later finishing/touch-up if it is visible.

In this step, you’ll find that they will likely need to be cut to length before installing toe kicks. Because every kitchen is designed differently, the toe kicks rarely come pre-cut.