Do you do floors before cabinets? The Complete Guide

Installing new cabinets and floors can transform the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. But deciding whether to refinish the floors or install the cabinets first is an important consideration during the renovation process. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so careful planning is required to choose the best order for your project. This comprehensive guide examines the key factors to help you determine whether to do the floors or cabinets first.

Should You Install Floors or Cabinets First?

When renovating a kitchen or bathroom, the order in which you install the floors and cabinets will impact the workflow and final aesthetic. Here are the main considerations:

Reasons to Install the Floors First

Achieve a seamless floor design: Installing flooring like tile or hardwood before the cabinets allows you to run the flooring under the cabinet footprint for a seamless look. This avoids transition strips or unfinished subfloor being visible between cabinet bases.
Replace subfloor if needed: Damaged or uneven subflooring issues are exposed when old cabinets are removed. You can repair or replace subflooring more easily before new cabinets are installed.
Avoid floor damage during cabinet installation: Heavy cabinets can scuff hardwood flooring or crack fragile tile during installation. Avoid this risk by doing the floors first.
Simplify cabinet installation: Setting cabinets on top of finished floors is easier than fastening them to subfloor. Floors installed first provide a smoother, cleaner surface for setting and leveling cabinet bases.

Reasons to Install the Cabinets First

Establish accurate cabinet footprint: Cabinets must be installed perfectly level and plumb. It’s easier to mark the cabinet perimeter on subfloor and achieve zero inaccuracies that could impact the flooring.
Avoid scuffing or damaging floors: Cabinet installation involves heavy lifting, drilling, fastening, and potentially some modifications needed for proper fitting. Floors completed after cabinet installation avoid scuffs and dust from these processes.
Figure out tricky floor terminations: Installing cabinets first allows you to clearly identify where and how flooring like tile or wood should be cut and terminated at cabinet edges and surrounding walls.
Complete cabinet modifications: Making adjustments by cutting cabinets for appliances or other fittings is simpler before floors go in. You avoid damage or needing to protect flooring during these modifications.

Tips for Achieving the Best Results

To maximize success for your kitchen or bath remodel, here are some top tips to consider:

Have your cabinet layout plan finalized so sizes, locations, and cabinet styles are all decided. This allows properly sized subflooring and finished flooring materials to be ordered and prepared.
Demolition and removal of old cabinets and flooring should be completed before any new installation begins. This allows you to inspect and address any subflooring issues.
Carefully protect walls, and mask doorway thresholds and transitions before starting floors. This saves cleanup time and avoids damage.
When doing floors first, use floor protection like Ram Board or plywood during cabinet installation to prevent scuffs and cracks.
To install cabinets first, carefully sweep and vacuum the subfloor and have perfectly level helpers ready to support cabinets in place.
Use shims liberally when setting cabinets to ensure they are perfectly plumb and level before fastening. This prevents issues when floors are installed around them.
Be prepared to cut flooring closely around cabinets for the cleanest look. This may involve scribing certain materials like hardwood to match the cabinet edge contours.

Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Floors Before Cabinets

If you’ve weighed the options and decided installing your new floors first is the best process for your kitchen or bathroom remodel, follow these key steps:

1. Prepare the Subfloor

Inspect the subfloor after removing old flooring and cabinets. Identify any areas needing repair.
Use floor leveling compound if the subfloor has minor dips or unevenness. This provides a flat surface.
Replace the subfloor entirely if it is badly damaged, uneven, or unable to be leveled suitably.
Clean thoroughly and allow proper curing/drying per the leveling compound manufacturer instructions.

2. Lay Out Flooring

Based on cabinet floorplan, map out your new flooring material and pattern. Include any special cuts and transitions.
Ensure you have enough material ordered with a little extra for error and tricky cuts around cabinet edges.
For tile, determine the best layout for minimal cuts, appropriate cut widths, and proper floor transitions.

3. Install Flooring Material

Start flooring installation in the center of the room, ensuring you are square to the walls.
Follow all manufacturer specifications for proper subfloor prep and installation of your specific flooring type.
Make all necessary subfloor transitions between rooms to allow continuous flooring under future cabinets.
Install any transition strips needed between flooring and adjacent spaces like doorways.

4. Finish Flooring Installation

Continue installing flooring material until the entire room’s subfloor is covered.
At edges where cabinets will be installed, make cuts carefully and as straight as possible. For tile, use edge trim pieces for clean finished edges.
If scribing is needed for hardwood, leave an extra 1/8 – 1/4″ gap to the wall to allow trimming to fit after cabinets are installed.
Vacuum and clean floors thoroughly.

5. Protect Floors and Install Cabinets

Cover floors with rosin paper, cardboard, or plywood to protect from dust and scuffs during cabinet installation. Use Ram Board or similar with hardwood.
Begin cabinet installation per manufacturer instructions. Have at least two people to position and level cabinets properly before fastening.
Make any final scribing cuts around cabinets for an ultra-tight fit against the flooring.
Install cabinet trim pieces like toe kicks and end panels for a finished look.
Seal hardwood floors and grout tile as the final step to complete your kitchen or bath renovation.

The Step-by-Step Process for Installing Cabinets Before Floors

If your project features tricky transitions or unique cabinet shapes/sizes, doing the cabinetry first may be the smarter workflow. Follow these key steps:

1. Demolish and Prepare the Area

Complete all demolition work by removing old cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
Inspect the exposed subfloor for levelness and damage. Address any issues.
Clean and vacuum the subfloor thoroughly to prepare for new cabinets.

2. Install Cabinets on Subfloor

Place cabinets in layout per the floorplan. Have helpers to ensure they are level and plumb.
Mark the exact cabinet footprint on the subfloor with tape, chalk lines, or pencil.
Drill pilot holes for screws/nails and fasten cabinets through bottom and sides/back. Use shims under bases to level.
Complete desired cabinet modifications like installing drawer slides or adjusting doors for clearance.

3. Identify Flooring Cut Lines

Based on cabinet arrangement, identify floor termination points and areas needing cutouts like around pipes.
Mark cut lines at cabinet edges and openings using tape on the subfloor.
Dry lay tiles, planks, or sheets to determine sizes and visualize how flooring cuts will integrate with cabinets.

4. Install Flooring Material

Begin flooring installation at center of room according to manufacturer specifications.
Cut flooring to fit points marked at cabinet edges. Make relief cuts for corners and turns.
Use edge trim pieces for tile or endcaps for hardwood at cabinet ends and transitions.
Make precise cuts following the taped lines for tricky areas like toe kick spaces, islands, and around appliances.

5. Finish Flooring and Complete Cabinets

Once flooring installation is complete, remove all marking tape from the finished floor surface.
Install cabinet end panels, toe kicks, and other trim pieces to integrate flooring gaps and provide a finished look.
Seal hardwood flooring using polyurethane. With tile, grout and seal as the final step.
Re-install appliances and fixtures to complete your kitchen or bath renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Installing Floors and Cabinets

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about choosing the proper installation order:

Can I install vinyl plank flooring before cabinets?

Yes, vinyl plank flooring is a great resilient material option if installing floors before cabinets. Just be sure to protect the finished vinyl properly during cabinet installation to avoid scuffs and dents.

What if my cabinets don’t have finished sides or backs?

If cabinet sides or backs will be visible (like in an island), it is best to install flooring after the cabinet bases are in place. Unfinished cabinet edges can then be covered by matching trim pieces.

Should I avoid floating floors under cabinets?

It is not recommended to install a floating floor like engineered hardwood under fixed cabinets, islands, or other heavy fixtures. This can cause buckling over time. Use a flooring that adheres to the subfloor instead.

Can bathroom tile go under vanities and tubs?

Bathroom tile can be installed under vanities, especially when the cabinet sides will conceal the cut edges. Shower and tub areas are typically tiled after installation to allow waterproofing those surfaces.

How are transitions between rooms handled?

When flooring runs continuously under cabinets, the height transitions between rooms or areas are handled when installing the subfloor. The finished floor surface remains level across transitions once complete.

Is added height a concern with floors first?

Depending on the flooring thickness, installing floors before cabinets can increase the base cabinet height slightly. If height issues occur, the floor can be brought up to the proper level with the subfloor.

Key Takeaways: Do Floors or Cabinets First?

Installing new floors and cabinets for your kitchen or bath remodel takes careful planning and coordination.
There are good reasons to do the floors first, like achieving seamless flooring and establishing an accurate subfloor.
Installing cabinets on the subfloor first also has advantages, including protecting finished floors and allowing better planning of floor terminations.
Tips like using floor protection during cabinet installation can help make either process go smoothly.
Following the detailed steps outlined will help you achieve a beautiful new space, regardless of which order you choose for your floors and cabinets.
Considering the pros and cons for your specific kitchen or bathroom layout will allow you to determine the best order to install floors and cabinets.

With some thoughtful planning upfront and care taken during the installation process, you can achieve beautiful, professionally finished results for your kitchen or bath remodel.