ᐅ How can I securely mount Ikea Metod wall cabinets in an older building?

Hello everyone,

I am facing the challenge of securely mounting my Ikea Metod wall cabinets in an older apartment. The wall consists partly of old brick masonry and partly of timber studs, and is not completely even. My specific question is: Which fastening methods and materials are particularly suitable for securely and permanently installing the Metod wall cabinets without damaging the wall or the structure?

I am especially interested in advice on screws, anchors, spacers, and, of course, the load-bearing capacity of the fastenings. Additionally, it would be great if someone could provide tips on how to compensate for unevenness in the wall without compromising the installation.

Thank you in advance for your expertise!

Hey LOLITA, great that you’re starting this topic here! 😊 Combining older buildings and Ikea Metod cabinets definitely requires some know-how, but we can handle it!

I would recommend first carefully checking the wall conditions: where is brick, where is wood, and which areas are load-bearing? For brick walls, heavy-duty anchors (such as expansion anchors or even chemical anchors) work very well. If there are wooden studs, it’s best to screw directly into the beams!

To level out any unevenness, you can use small wooden wedges or washers behind the cabinets so everything hangs straight and the load isn’t unevenly distributed. Make sure to use screws that are not too short; they should penetrate at least 6–8cm (2.5–3 inches) into the wall substrate to hold securely!

Go for it, it will turn out great, and feel free to ask more questions if anything is unclear! 🚀

For the secure installation of Ikea Metod wall cabinets in an older building with brick walls and wooden studs, I recommend the following approach:

- First, check the wall with a stud finder or a similar tool to locate load-bearing areas or wooden studs.

- For brick walls, high-quality expansion anchors or chemical anchors (injection mortar with appropriate threaded rods and nuts) are advisable, as they provide reliable holding power even in older masonry.

- For wooden beams, pre-drill and securely fasten with long-thread wood screws.

- Wall irregularities can be compensated with mounting washers or wooden shims. It is important to align the cabinets horizontally using a stable mounting rail (for example, the included Metod hanging rail).

- Screws must be anchored at least 6 cm (2.4 inches) deep into load-bearing material.

- Before installation, the expected loads should be calculated: Metod wall cabinets can support approximately 30 kg (66 lbs), which should be considered when selecting screws and anchors.

This procedure ensures a stable and secure installation.

Short and direct:

- Anchors for brick walls: use heavy-duty anchors, not universal anchors.
- For wood studs: use long wood screws, pre-drill.
- Level out unevenness with wooden wedges.
- Screws must penetrate at least 6cm (2.5 inches) into the wall.

This is sufficient for a secure hold.

I’ll add a brief procedure on how I would approach fastening in an older building:

1. Wall scanning:
- Use a digital stud finder to locate load-bearing beams and gaps.

2. Marking:
- Precisely mark the beam positions, especially for the mounting rail.

3. Anchor selection:
- For brick walls, use heavy-duty anchors.
- If the bricks are older and crumbly, prefer chemical anchors without expansion effects.

4. Screw length:
- Choose screws and anchors so that at least 6 cm (2.4 inches) are anchored deep into the wall material.

5. Compensate for unevenness:
- Wedge wooden shims or plastic washers behind the cabinets or rail.

6. Installation:
- First mount the rail, then hang the cabinets.

A common mistake is using only standard wall plugs in old bricks, which rarely hold securely.

If these points are followed, there is almost nothing standing in the way of a secure installation.

One important point that has been mentioned only briefly so far: the load-bearing capacity of walls in older buildings can vary greatly. Therefore, before installation, be sure to check the condition of the wall at several points – also pay attention to hollow areas by gently tapping.

Additionally, if the wall is very uneven or old plaster layers are loose, the mounting rail should possibly be screwed onto a relatively flat wooden board, which is then secured at several points with sufficiently large anchors.

This helps distribute loads evenly and minimizes the risk related to the cabinet weight.