With manufacturers varying their cabinet design from plastic legs to solid wood bases there are a few tricks to installing toe kick. With most cabinets now installed with thin strips of composite wood there are a few tricks on how to install toe kick correctly. In this guide we’ll show you how to layout, cut and install toe kick under your kitchen or vanity.
While most toe kick installation is best done with a cordless nail gun you can also tackle this job with construction adhesive and trim screws.
In this guide we’ll show you:
- Tools required
- Which toe kick to install first
- How to adjust the toe kick for uneven floors
- Methods to attach the toe kick
- And lastly, how to hide the nail holes
- HIDE NAILS AND GAPS: COLOR PUTTY
- TOE KICK ADHESIVE: GORILLA GLUE
- CABINET HARDWARE JIG: ORIGINAL CABINET HARDWARE JIG
- TOE KICK SANDER: SKIL BELT SANDER
In This Article
Tools Needed to Install Toe Kick
Chances are you’ll have all the tools needed for this step if you’ve installed the cabinets. And, you’ll likely need the same tools for installing crown molding:
- Miter saw
- Nail gun
- Tape measure
- Belt sander
- Wood filler
- Construction adhesive
Steps to Installing Toe Kick
Step 1: Installing toe kick longest piece first
If you’ve installed trim before you know one trick is to always install the longest piece first.
And this same rule applies to installing toe kick.
What’s so special about doing this? Well, by following this approach you can make mistakes with cutting longer strips and then use them for shorter pieces of toe kick.
Finally, be sure to consider that the longest toe kick might be designed to fit behind a base cabinet and extend to the wall (hidden).
Tip: One part of the puzzle can be keeping the pieces all in order. I like to layout the strips on the top of the base cabinet so I know where they’ll go.
Step 2: Cut the toe kick to length
After you’ve set the toe kick in the right spots and are ready to start assembling it’s time to start cutting.
A few tips on cutting toe kick:
- 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 to not “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 laying 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 you burn the ends
- Lastly use a wood sander to buff the cut end for later finishing/touch-up if it will be visible.
In this step you’ll find that before installing toe kicks they will likely need to be cut to length. Because every kitchen is designed differently the toe kicks rarely come pre-cut.
Step 3: Rough fit the kick
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- Start in a corner with the longest piece
- Use a belt sander to adjust width or adjust joints
- Work from the corner out one piece
Step 4: Installing the kick to the cabinet
Just two more steps to finish installing toe kick under your almost completed kitchen.
The quickest way to install toe kick is with a few well concealed nails at the base and then again at the very top of the toe kick. Why there? Well, if you hold the nail gun level and install brads at the very top you won’t be able to see the nails. And again, at the very bottom you’ll usually install base shoe as well so the nail will again be hidden (later).
Lastly, just be careful to not angle the nail up into the cabinet and poke a hole in the base of your new cabinets.
Step 5: Hide nail holes with Color Putty
Frequently Asked Questions for Installing Toe Kick
How do you attach toe kick?
Toe kick is attached with a nail gun or adhesive after the cabinets are installed.
What is the purpose of toe kick?
Toe kick allows for foot space under the cabinet to allow the user to stand directly in front of the cabinet. Without toe kick the user would need to bend forward.
How do you finish a toe kick on a cabinet?
Ideally the toe kick will be completed prior to the installation, but if the toe kick needs to be finished while on the cabinet a fast drying stain and urethane can be used.
Summary
Hopefully this article was helpful to complete your toe kick installation.
Be sure to check out our cabinet installation series for more tips to finish your installation.
Recommended: How to Install Cabinet Knobs
Cabinet Installation Series
Planning & Tools To Install Cabinets
Guides for Cabinet Installation
Finishing Cabinets With Molding and Hardware
Related Supplies
Last update on 2021-12-04 at 20:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
