In almost every home, there is something that is hiding and although it isn’t a problem, it can be an unsightly issue if it is not cared for properly. I’m talking about the gap that exists between the cabinet and the ceiling. How can this issue be fixed?
The easiest way to fix the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling is to build a soffit. A drywall soffit can be created to match the flow of the cabinets, completely blocking the gap and making it look as if it is a seamless match from one to the other.
If you stop to look at more homes, you will begin to notice that the gap between the ceiling and cabinets has been fixed in a variety of ways. Sometimes, the gap isn’t fixed at all but rather, it is made to look appropriate by different designs.
As far as the cabinets are concerned, it really doesn’t matter if they touch the ceiling or not. In most homes, cabinets are not going to be installed directly against the ceiling and if they are, it typically means that they are customized.
What really matters is if you are happy or not with the look when you are done. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, as we will consider in this article.
Can You Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling? (How To)
The soffit area is the space that exists between the ceiling and the cabinets. Kitchen cabinets themselves are actually just a box with shelves and doors. There typically isn’t anything special about them.
Most kitchen cabinets are also of a standard height, and although you may have options, you are not going to be able to fit them exactly unless you customize the cabinets. That is why most homes have a gap.
Closing the gap may be possible through any number of different means, as we will discuss below. There are also ways to hide the gap, including using plants, a collection of items, or even some interesting lights that are on top of the cabinets and shine up on the ceiling.
In addition, there may be homes when the gap is not good to fill. This is true if the ceiling has a unique feature, such as a beam, and taking the cabinets the whole way to the ceiling is going to interfere with the overall look of the home.
They sometimes say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that is certainly the case when it comes to the gap between the cabinets and the ceiling. If a gap exists, you can fix it in some way or another. Otherwise, make it beautiful and learn to live with it.
Why You Should Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling
As we discussed, there are a number of different ways that you can adjust the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling to make it disappear. Otherwise, you can make it beautiful.
That still leaves us wondering, why should you fix that gap in the first place? If it really doesn’t hurt anything, shouldn’t it just stay as is?
The primary reason why people want to fix a gap between the cabinet and the ceiling is that it looks awkward. If you buy standard cabinets and put them in place, you may have an unusual gap to the ceiling, and it can look out of place.
Fixing the gap is going to fix the problem but the way you fix it is really going to be up to you. Personally, I’ve seen everything used from crown molding to decorative lights, and all of them can look fantastic if they are done in the proper way. Sometimes, there is even a combination of options used.
Fixing the gap between the cabinets and ceiling is a personal issue. If you aren’t happy with the way that it looks, there are ways to fix the problem.
What Is Causing The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling?
Some people may wonder what causes the gap between the cabinet and ceiling. Sometimes it has to do with installation but other times, it could be other issues.
The most common reason why a gap exists between the cabinets and the ceiling is that the cabinets are of a standard size. They are purchased and built as is and put into the area. It is important to keep them a standard height above the countertop and uniform so you are likely to have a gap at the ceiling.
Honestly, you should be thankful that the gap exists between the cabinets and the ceiling and that you don’t end up with a shortfall. The last thing you want to do is to try to cut into the ceiling so the cabinets fit.
There is another issue why a cabinet and ceiling may form a gap over time. This is a problem known as truss uplift.
When the roof truss sticks out beyond the walls, which it typically does, then part of the truss is exposed to temperature extremes and moisture outside and the rest is dry inside. This can cause the roof truss to lift, and in doing so, it may pull the ceiling upward.
This problem is typically seen between the wall and the ceiling but since you can’t see the wall and ceiling meet above the cabinets, it may show up in the cabinets.
This is a very difficult issue to fix and if it happens in your home, it may just be something that you fix periodically through caulking or drywall mud.
How To Prevent Gaps From Forming Between Cabinet And Ceiling
If you’re trying to prevent gaps from forming between the cabinet and ceiling, there are some ways to do so.
One way to keep a gap from forming between the cabinet and the ceiling is to have custom-built cabinetry. This is going to be an expensive option but the cabinets can go right to the ceiling and any small gap can be fixed with caulking.
You can also install something that is known as a backing angle. This is something that is typically done during the construction of the home and it allows the truss to move independently of the wall and cabinet so that it doesn’t pull the ceiling away from them.
You can always remove the cabinets, tear down the drywall on the ceiling and install the backing angle. Then again, this is a complex issue that would take a lot of time and money to accomplish. It may be a better idea just to use some caulking every year to make up for the gap.
3 Ideas To Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling
1. Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling Using Trim
Trim is an excellent option for filling the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling. How can you use it to your benefit?
For any gaps between the ceiling and the upper cabinets that are relatively small, you can run a piece of trim along the cabinets to fill things in. This trim can range from some quarter-round all the way to crown molding.
When you use trim in this way, it can really make a difference in the overall look of the cabinetry. It can also make a difference in the amount of dust that builds up over time above the cabinets, making your home more hypoallergenic.
Try to get trim that matches the rest of the home and also matches the cabinets at the same time. It can really make a difference in the overall look of your kitchen.
2. Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling Using Scribe Molding
Another way that you can fill the gap between the ceiling and cabinets is to use some scribe molding. How is this done?
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 16, 2022.
Scribe molding is attached to the top of the cabinets and meets the ceiling exactly. As the name would suggest, it is scribed in place using a scriber and then cut with a saber saw. This is an option that will take some time but it can result in a very beautiful look that finishes the top of the cabinets off nicely.
Sometimes, you may need this type of filler strip that is wider than you would like. Generally speaking, scribe molding may only be a few inches wide but you can go wider in some cases if you’re willing to do the work.
3. Fix The Gap Between Cabinet And Ceiling Using Caulking
In some cases, the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling is small. It may even grow over time, but it still remains relatively small for the most part.
You can fix a small gap between the ceiling and the top of the cabinets by using caulking. Simply run a bead of caulking along the top and use a damp rag to finish things off. The key is to fill the gap with caulking but not to have any caulking out on the cabinet or the ceiling.
If you have any wide areas that need to be filled, you can use a caulking backer rod to fill the gap before you apply the caulking in place.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 16, 2022.
You can fix the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling by either covering it over with molding, or caulking, or by decorating it using lights, plants, or some other collection. As long as you’re happy with the finished look, there’s no reason why a gap shouldn’t exist.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 16, 2022.
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