ᐅ How can I safely install Ikea Metod wall cabinets on older building walls?

Hello everyone, I am facing the challenge of mounting Ikea Metod wall cabinets on older building walls. The walls are mainly load-bearing masonry, but they have some old, crumbling plaster areas and a mix of solid bricks and lighter hollow bricks.

My specific question: How can I securely and permanently mount the cabinets without the fasteners loosening over time or causing damage to the wall? I am particularly interested in which types of anchors reliably hold in older masonry walls, how to best determine the correct positions for the mounting points, and whether additional reinforcements are recommended.

Also: Are there any specific tips for evenly distributing the weight of the Metod wall cabinets or for dealing with walls that are not completely flat?

I appreciate any experience or detailed advice, as I want to avoid the entire construction becoming unstable.

Dresden schrieb:
The walls mostly consist of load-bearing masonry, but with some old, crumbling plaster spots and a mix of solid bricks and lighter hollow bricks.

The wall structure is definitely an important aspect. For older masonry walls, I recommend the following:

- First, check the load-bearing capacity of each area: not just by tapping, but also by performing a small drill test in a hidden corner to distinguish solid masonry from voids.
- For solid bricks, use high-quality expansion anchors or metal anchors (e.g., heavy-duty anchors) so the load is not borne solely by the plaster.
- For hollow bricks, consider special cavity anchors, such as metal anchors with a toggle mechanism that expand behind the wall.

Regarding load distribution:
- Ikea Metod wall cabinets have a designated mounting rail. It is important to install this rail horizontally and to secure the cabinets evenly.
- If the wall is not completely flat, flexible spacer blocks or mounting wedges can be used to create an even surface—this prevents stress and makes installation easier.

Additionally, I always recommend keeping the following points in mind when drilling and inserting anchors:
- Use high-quality anchors and screws that are suitable for the specific wall material.
- If possible, distribute the load across multiple fixing points.

If you want, I can provide a detailed step-by-step guide for the installation.

KODAN32 schrieb:
If the wall isn’t completely flat, you can use flexible spacers or mounting wedges to create a level support surface – this avoids stress and makes installation easier.

I find this point very important because I once spent hours struggling before realizing that unevenness was the main issue.

It also helped me to check the wall cabinets with a spirit level on the floor before mounting – that is, to align all the cabinets precisely before attaching them to the wall. This ensured a more even load when screwing them in place.

One more thing: even when the anchors held, in older buildings I sometimes felt that the mechanical stress from opening and closing the doors put strain on the wall beneath the plaster. For that reason, I added small load distribution plates made of wood behind the mounting strips – this increases the support area and reduces the stress.

How about you, Dresden? Did you check the wall beforehand or do you already have a plan for the anchoring?

PEDRO40 schrieb:
How is it for you, Dresden? Did you inspect the wall beforehand or do you already have a plan for the anchoring?

Thanks for asking. As planned, I inspected the wall and carefully drilled test holes with a cordless drill and a small masonry bit to check how solid the bricks really are. The solid bricks in the lower section are fairly sturdy, while the hollow bricks higher up the wall need to be handled carefully because they are very porous.

I find your suggestion about load-distribution plates interesting. So far, I had only planned to use the mounting strips supplied by Ikea.

Maybe I should also place a thin plywood board (e.g., 10mm (0.4 inches) multiplex) behind the strip and then fix it to the wall? This could help ensure better load distribution and also compensate for minor unevenness.

Has anyone had experience combining such plywood boards with Metod wall cabinets? What should I pay attention to when screwing to ensure everything holds securely over time?