ᐅ How can I securely mount IKEA Metod wall cabinets on older building walls?

Hello everyone, I need specific advice on how to securely mount IKEA Metod wall cabinets on old solid masonry walls. The walls here are still solid brick, sometimes with uneven plaster, and I’m concerned that standard anchors or screws might not hold or could damage the wall. What fixing systems or methods are recommended to ensure the cabinets are firmly and permanently installed without the risk of loosening over time? Any tips on the types of anchors, screws, or possible wall reinforcements would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

For old building walls, I recommend using special heavy-duty anchors. Insert the anchors into the mortar joints or into the brick core; standard plastic anchors are not suitable. Use screws that match the size of the anchors.

First, you should check what type of old wall you are dealing with exactly: load-bearing brick, calcium silicate brick, clay, or a masonry wall with plaster. For Metod wall cabinets, it is important that the loads of at least 20–30 kg (44–66 lbs) per cabinet are safely supported. For solid masonry, special metal expansion anchors or chemical adhesive anchors work best. Make sure the screws are not too short, at least 70 mm (2.75 inches) deep into the wall. If the plaster is crumbly, expose the area and drill directly into the brick or stone. Alternatively, I recommend attaching a sturdy wooden batten (at least 24 mm (1 inch) thick), which is fastened to the wall with heavy-duty anchors. Then the wall cabinet can be screwed onto this, which better distributes the load and ensures secure installation. This prevents the load from being applied directly to fragile plaster.

Interesting, palenar. But couldn’t one argue that a wooden batten only applies point loads to the wall, even if distributed? If the plaster is crumbly in several places, there is a risk that the anchors will not hold sufficiently. Perhaps additional reinforcement with a perforated metal plate would be advisable? I would also recommend realistically estimating the weight of the filled cabinets – the load from fully packed kitchen utensils is often underestimated.

faso31 schrieb:
But can’t it be argued that a wooden batten only exerts a point load on the wall, even if it is distributed?

That is correct; this method distributes the load horizontally somewhat better than using individual anchors. A perforated metal plate would theoretically also work well but is often too complex and visually undesirable in a kitchen. It is important that the wooden batten is made of solid, fully dried wood and is secured with at least three heavy-duty anchors distributed along its length. This creates a combination of a stable substructure and a secure wall attachment.

faso31 schrieb:
I would also recommend realistically estimating the weight of the filled cabinets

That is a very important point. I always recommend calculating at least 30 kg (66 pounds) per cabinet plus a safety margin of 50%. Especially spices, jars, or cooling devices can quickly increase the weight.

If there is more information about the wall construction, we can offer more targeted advice.

Thank you for your previous answers. The walls are made of red fired bricks with lime plaster, which is flaking slightly in some areas, especially near the upper sections where the cabinets are intended to be installed. I haven't yet considered using a wooden batten as a support, but that sounds reasonable, especially if the anchors are going directly into the brick. How long and thick should the batten be at a minimum? And what type of screws do you use to attach the cabinets to the wooden batten?