ᐅ How do I install Ikea Metod cabinets on tiled walls?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to install Ikea Metod kitchen cabinets directly onto tiled walls in my new kitchen. My main concern is how to securely fasten the cabinets to the wall without damaging or cracking the tiles.

The wall itself is made of brick, but the tiles appear to be quite thin and the grout lines are narrow. I want to avoid cracks or breakage caused by drilling into the tiles, as repairs would be costly.

Are there any special drilling techniques, anchors, or methods you would recommend for mounting Metod cabinets on tiled walls?

I would like to know
- which drill bits I should use,
- whether it is better to drill into grout lines or tiles,
- which type of anchors work best, and
- how to best distribute the load.

Thank you very much for your tips and experiences!

Hey Gaudan,

first of all, respect, projects like this definitely have their own charm 😄. Regarding your question: I would generally recommend avoiding drilling directly into the tiles if possible – the risk of cracking is higher. Alternatively, drill into the grout line, where the substrate is softer and there's less risk of damage.

Drill bit: A masonry bit sized appropriately for the wall plug should be sufficient, but drill slowly and with low pressure!

Wall plugs: Universal plugs that anchor well in brick are ideal. Or cavity anchors, if the tiled wall happens to be hollow, though this is rare with brick.

Load distribution: If you have to drill into the tiles, you can use large washers or special wedges to distribute the load better.

Good luck, and don’t panic – with careful handling, it will work out!

Additional information:

- Pre-drill using a tile drill bit (glass/ceramic drill bit) at low speed to avoid cracks.
- It is better to drill directly through the tiles rather than only into the grout lines, as grout lines are often wider and less load-bearing.
- Use high-quality nylon or expansion anchors suitable for the wall type and load.
- Ensure the drill does not wobble when penetrating the tile to prevent damage.

The load on the Metod cabinets is not very high, so wall mounting on brick with 6-8 mm (1/4–5/16 inch) anchors is usually sufficient. A tape measure and level are essential for precise alignment.

Samir schrieb:
The load on the Metod cabinets is not extremely high, so wall mounting on brick using 6–8 mm (1/4–5/16 inch) anchors is ideally sufficient.

Basically correct, but I want to go into more detail, as extra caution is needed when mounting on tiles.

First of all: Tiles tend to crack due to their low elasticity if the drill is not positioned precisely or if too much pressure is applied. Therefore, the drill should be fixed in place using a drill guide or a cross made of adhesive tape. Using slow drill speeds and cooling with water or a damp cloth can also make the process gentler.

For anchors, I recommend special heavy-duty anchors, preferably nylon or metal, as these anchor firmly into the brick. The tile itself does not carry the load, only the wall behind it does.

Regarding the drilling location: I advise drilling in the grout joint if it is wide and stable enough. However, you should first measure to ensure it is not just a thin-layer joint. If it is not suitable, then, as Samir suggests, drill through the tile at an appropriate spot.

Finally, an important tip for mounting the Metod system: The cabinets have a considerable weight, so the fixing points must be anchored securely into solid brick. If possible, use a cable detector or metal detector beforehand to check where the brick is intact.

In conclusion, I would like to know if you already have electrical outlets, water pipes, or cavities running vertically behind the tiles? This is important for safely placing the anchors.

kulau schrieb:
Finally, I am curious whether you already have electrical outlets, water pipes, or cavities vertically behind the tiles?

Thanks to all of you in advance! To answer your question, kulau: the wall is fully backed with bricks, no cavities, and there are no water pipes or electrical outlets in this area. I only have one electrical outlet nearby, but it is located to the left, outside the planned cabinet installation.

The tiles are standard, relatively thin bathroom tiles (not porcelain or natural stone), which might help, right?

I was also thinking about pre-drilling the holes first with narrower masonry drill bits, then widening them as needed to fit the anchors.

I find it understandably important, as you mentioned, that the tile itself is not subjected to too much load and that the weight is transferred to the bricks.

Are there any practical experiences with using chemical anchors instead of traditional expansion anchors in such a wall? Is that rather impractical with Metod, or could it be an option?

Regarding your question about chemical anchors:

- Chemical anchors can provide a very secure and strong fixing in solid walls without cavities.
- Their application requires careful preparation: the drilled hole must be completely dust-free, the adhesive resin needs to be applied promptly, and the recommended cure times for the anchors must be observed.
- An advantage of chemical anchors is the better load distribution and the elimination of expansion forces – particularly beneficial when working with thin or delicate tiles.

Personally, when installing Metod cabinets on tiled walls with solid substrates, I usually use chemical anchors because they minimize the risk of tile cracks.

One more tip: Using a drill template or fixing a strip to the wall helps to ensure the holes are drilled at the same height and spacing precisely.