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 mount 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.

What is a surface mount cabinet?

A surface mount medicine cabinet attaches directly to a wall and doesn’t require moving any plumbing or electrical lines that may be behind the line. A recessed mount medicine cabinet is installed in a wall. It has a built-in look and usually has deeper shelves than a surface mount model.

Can you put a recessed medicine cabinet in a load bearing wall?

Installing a medicine cabinet in a load-bearing wall is doable, but if it’s not done properly it could lead to a sagging floor/ceiling. You may want to call a pro. However, if your cabinet is narrow enough to fit between two studs, then load bearing shouldn’t be an issue.

Can you hang medicine cabinet without studs?

A drywall anchor can be used as an alternative when the stud is not available. They are usually designed to lodge directly into the drywall. When you hang your medicine cabinet, the anchor then slides inside the wall and then the hook moves in such a way that you will not be able to pull it back out.

Can light vs surface mount?

Recessed lights disappear within the room while surface mounted lights can become a focal point. However, recessed lights allow you to utilize a room with lower ceiling heights and make the room feel much more spacious.

What’s the best way to mount a medicine cabinet?

With regular screws, you will screw into the wall until the head of the screw is tight against the medicine cabinet. If you are hanging on a drywall construction wall, you can also use a stud finder to find the studs in the wall so you can use wood screws to hang the cabinet instead of drywall anchors, if you prefer to use those.

How do you drill holes for a medicine cabinet?

Open the cabinet door and mark the installation holes. With the cabinet still held in place, open the door and make sure it’s free of any obstructions. Locate the installation holes at the rear of the cabinet. Use your pencil to mark the holes on the supporting wall. Drill the pilot holes.

How is the height of a medicine cabinet determined?

To determine an alternate height for a short medicine cabinet, a helper holds the cabinet on the wall while the primary user stands in front of it looking into the mirror. The helper raises and lowers the cabinet until the viewer’s body and face are within view.

Can a recessed medicine cabinet be installed in a wall?

Recessed medicine cabinets require cutting into a wall. If you install a recessed cabinet, choose a wall without electrical or plumbing lines behind it, if possible. Otherwise, the lines will have to be moved, which is a job for a professional electrician and/or plumber.

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.

How do you install a recessed medicine cabinet in a load bearing wall?

Most recessed cabinets attach to the wall by screws through the sides from inside the cabinet. So you will have to install nailers on both sides of the opening. Cut two pieces of 2×4 the length of the opening. Put some construction adhesive on both edges of the 2×4’s and slide them into the wall between the drywall.

How deep is a recessed medicine cabinet?

about four inches deep
Don’t forget to measure for depth: Recessed cabinets average about four inches deep, but you may be able to fit five or more inches. Adjustable shelves and mirrored interiors are useful amenities.

Do you have to recess a medicine cabinet?

Chances are, plumbing pipes lie directly behind the space, making it impossible to fully recess a medicine cabinet. You may want to settle for a flush-mounted cabinet.

What is the difference between recessed mount 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.

What is the difference between recessed and surface?

Surface mount – this means the item will sit directly on top of the surface you are mounting it to. For our purposes here we mean it will sit directly on top of the wall you are installing the wired button on. Recessed – this is where the entire doorbell push button mechanism in set inside the wall or mounting surface.

Do medicine cabinets have to go into the wall?

Recessed medicine cabinets require cutting into a wall. If you install a recessed cabinet, choose a wall without electrical or plumbing lines behind it, if possible. Otherwise, the lines will have to be moved, which is a job for a professional electrician and/or plumber.

How much does it cost to install a medicine cabinet?

The national average materials cost to install a bathroom medicine cabinet is $280.57 per cabinet, with a range between $165.89 to $395.25. The total price for labor and materials per cabinet is $348.01, coming in between $199.26 to $496.76.

How do I measure for a replacement recessed medicine cabinet?

Measure the hole to get the proper sizing. Start by measuring the top left corner to the top right, and then measure the bottom left corner to the bottom right corner. In order to find the depth of your recessed cabinet, place the tip of your measuring tape against the back of the hole and measure it to the front wall.

Do medicine cabinets go into the wall?

A surface mount medicine cabinet attaches directly to a wall and doesn’t require moving any plumbing or electrical lines that may be behind the line. A recessed mount medicine cabinet is installed in a wall. It has a built-in look and usually has deeper shelves than a surface mount model.

Is there a way to install a recessed medicine cabinet?

One way to do this, was to have things built in to the wall since our space is fairly small – enter the recessed medicine cabinet!

How are medicine cabinets attached to the wall?

Medicine cabinets provide storage space for your bathroom and most have at least one mirror so you can check your reflection. There are two primary types of medicine cabinets. A surface mount medicine cabinet attaches directly to a wall and doesn’t require moving any plumbing or electrical lines that may be behind the line.

Can a recessed cabinet be put on a wall?

If your recessed cabinet is planned for an existing wall, you (or a carpenter or builder) should first open up the wall to see what’s behind the surface. Do this before you buy the cabinet. A recessed cabinet cannot have any obstructions behind it, such as electrical wires, plumbing supply lines or non-load-bearing studs.

Can you put a medicine cabinet over a vanity?

In an ideal world, you’d build the medicine cabinet flush with the wall and put a decorative mirror on top.” Sherry Petersik of Young House Love: “Personally, we’ve never added a medicine cabinet during a bathroom reno, and always find the storage in the vanity to be just fine, and then we can use a pretty mirror over the sink.