Install Flooring Before Cabinets

The flooring contractor will not have to work around existing cabinetry so the work can go that much faster.

Install flooring before cabinets.

The flooring will be able to expand and contract beneath the toekick without revealing a gap. If you are installing click lock vinyl plank flooring you should not install under cabinets. Finally install the cabinets on both strips and attach the toekicks. Since your floor will be floating on the subfloor and connected solely by the locking system it needs space to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Install plywood in remaining area to exact height of tile floor to finish cabinet install. If you foresee yourself craving layout change we advise you cover your kitchen in wall to wall flooring first. Cabinets and appliances without flooring underneath are much harder to move. Now install the new flooring but keep it about a inch from the first filler strip.

In most cases given standard flooring heights you will install the cabinets before the floor covering. Floor covering or finish flooring is the surface that you see and walk on not the subfloor under the underlayment or underlayment between subfloor and finished layer. Install tile under cabinets and floor based appliances with a 2 inset this allows you to move the pattern and grout lines where needed. The finish can be applied after the cabinet installation lessening concerns about marring the floors during the remodel.

With a floating floor you install after and cabinets should be raised by adding plywood underneath them before the cabinets are installed. If you have any more remodeling questions the design experts at cabinets to go are always happy to help. Installing the floors before the cabinets has some advantages. No wasted tile and appliances can me moved for repairs without problems.