Steps to Installing a Modular Closet System

Step1

DRAW a level line on the back wall of the closet to indicate the bottom of the hanging cleats. Refer to the instructions for the height of this line. Locate the studs along this line and mark the wall.

Step 2

DRILL 3/16-in. screw clearance holes through the cleat at the stud locations. Then screw the cleat to the wall with 3-in. pan head screws, leaving them a little loose. Use a shelf to space the cleat from the end wall to allow room for the side panel of the storage unit.

Reader's Digest Screwing the fastener belts

Step 3

LAY the sides of the first storage unit on a carpet or dropcloth with unfinished edges together. Screw fastener bolts for the fixed shelves and cleats into the predrilled holes. Your instruction sheet will show which holes to use.

Step 4

ASSEMBLE the cabinet by aligning the holes in the fixed shelves and cleats with the fastener bolts. Lock them together by turning the cams clockwise. Then position the second side and lock it in. Face the cams where they’ll be least visible when the cabinet is hung.

Step 5

HANG the assembled storage unit by pushing it tight to the wall and sliding it down onto the interlocking cleat.

Step 6

CHECK the side panel to make sure the cabinet is plumb and screw through the bottom cleat into a stud to secure it.

Step 7

INSTALL toggle anchors for additional support if cleats land on only one stud. Hold the cleat in position and drill a 3/16-in. hole through the cleat and the drywall or plaster to mark the location of the toggle anchor.

Reader's Digest Installing toggle anchors

Remove the cleat and enlarge the hole in the wall to 1/2 in. Then install the anchor and attach the cleat, making sure to leave a space for the side panel of the next storage unit.

Step 8

MARK the oversized filler shelf for cutting by laying it on top of the storage units and drawing lines along each side panel onto the shelf.

Step 9

CUT the filler shelf with a 140-tooth plywood blade in a circular saw. Clamp a cutting guide so it just covers the line, and run the saw against it to provide a straight cut with a minimal amount of chipping.

Reader's Digest Cutting the shelves

Construct the cutting guide by screwing a straight 1x6 to an oversized piece of 1/4-in. plywood. Run the saw against the 1x6 fence to cut the plywood at the exact blade location.

Step 10

TILT in the filler shelves, resting them on shelf support pins. Cut the metal closet rods with a 24-tooth-per-inch hacksaw.

Step11

COMPLETE the installation by tightening all of the mounting screws after adjacent units are connected with the two-part fasteners provided. Install the drawers and drawer fronts and set the adjustable shelves on the shelf support pins.