Installing new flooring and cabinets can be an exciting part of renovating or remodeling your kitchen. However, deciding the order of installing the flooring and cabinets is an important consideration. Should the new floor go down first or the cabinets? Here is a detailed look at the process to help you determine if you should install flooring before kitchen cabinets.
Introduction
When renovating your kitchen, the order in which you install the flooring and cabinets can impact the final look and ease of installation. Many homeowners prefer to replace their kitchen floors and cabinets at the same time to create a seamless, cohesive new space. However, deciding which to install first – the floors or the cabinets – is an important decision.
There are pros and cons to both approaches that must be considered carefully based on your specific kitchen layout and construction. Factors like cabinet style, flooring materials, kitchen size and configuration, appliance/utility locations, and more can all impact the best installation order. Evaluating all of these elements beforehand allows you to choose the appropriate sequence for your unique kitchen redo.
Should You Install Hardwood Floors Before Cabinets?
If you are installing a natural hardwood floor in the kitchen, most experts recommend doing so before installing and securing the cabinets in place. Here are some of the benefits to putting in hardwood floors first:
- Allows floors to be installed underneath cabinet footprints. Hardwood planks can be laid unimpeded under where wall and base cabinets will sit. This eliminates the need to cut boards to fit around cabinets later.
- Cabinets can help hide expansion gaps. The gaps between hardwood boards that allow for expansion and contraction can be hidden by overlaying with cabinets and toe kicks.
- Reduces impact on floors during cabinet installation. With the hardwood in place before cabinets, the floors will not get damaged while cabinets are being moved into position and anchored to the walls.
- Enables leveling of cabinets on the new floors. Cabinets can be shimmed and leveled directly on the finished floors for proper alignment and weight distribution.
- Avoids floor finish issues beneath cabinets. Since cabinets are installed after finishing the floors, you avoid uneven or unfinished areas under cabinets.
If opting to install hardwood prior to cabinets, just be sure to carefully protect the floors while installing the cabinets to avoid inadvertent scratches or dents. And allow proper acclimation and drying time for any wood stain and finish to cure completely first.
Should You Install Tile/Stone Floors Before Cabinets?
For tile or stone flooring like porcelain, ceramic, marble, etc., it is also generally recommended to install the flooring prior to securing kitchen cabinets in the space. Reasons for doing tile floors first include:
- Achieves a flush cabinet installation. With the flooring in place, cabinets can sit directly on top of the tile, ensuring a flush fit to the floor.
- Allows floors to run under cabinet footprints. Tile can be laid without interruption under the entire kitchen footprint before walls or cabinets are in place.
- Prevents damaging tile during cabinet installation. Floors are less likely to get damaged or cracked while moving cabinets into place if the tile is already laid.
- Enables precise cabinet placement. Cabinets can be adjusted and leveled directly on the tile floors as needed to fit the space exactly.
- Provides better access for floor installations. It is easier to cut, lay, and grout tile when walls and cabinets are not yet in the way or limiting access.
The only exception would be for tile laid in a mortar bed over a subfloor, which requires extra drying time. In that case, cabinets may need to be installed first to avoid the excess weight cracking the mortar prematurely.
Should You Install Vinyl/Resilient Floors Before Cabinets?
For sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), vinyl tiles, linoleum, and other resilient “floating” floors that are not adhered to the subfloor, installing the flooring prior to cabinets is not always required. These floors are designed to be assembled directly on top of an existing subfloor. This makes them convenient options for installing after cabinet bases are already in place.
Reasons you may want to install vinyl or resilient flooring after cabinet installation include:
- Flooring can be slid partially under cabinets. Leaving an expansion gap, vinyl planks and tiles can expand under the cabinets while still fitting flush against them.
- No damage while moving cabinets. Since vinyl floor pieces interlock or float, cabinets can be installed without denting or scratching the floors.
- Cabinets can be secured firmly to subfloor. Anchoring cabinets directly into the subfloor below provides a more stable base than sitting on top of a floating floor.
- No waiting for floor adhesives to dry. Unlike glued-down resilient tiles and sheet vinyl, floating floors have no drying time for adhesives, speeding up the install.
- Floors can be replaced as needed. Unlike tile or hardwood, damaged or worn vinyl floor sections are relatively easy for do-it-yourselfers to replace later on if needed.
Just note that any flooring should still acclimate and sit unopened at room temperature for at least 24 hours before installation per manufacturer instructions.
Installing Flooring After Cabinets
While less common, it is possible to install many floating vinyl, laminate, or engineered wood floors after cabinets are already in place. Reasons you may consider installing flooring after cabinet installation include:
- Existing subfloor is in very good, undamaged condition
- Concrete slab is new, properly prepped and leveled before cabinets go in
- Wanting to match new cabinets to a new floor color/style precisely
- Easier access to install flooring sections around islands and peninsulas
However, there can be some disadvantages to putting flooring down after cabinets:
- May be more difficult getting flooring fully under cabinets flush to walls
- Can only anchor cabinets to subfloor, not directly to flooring
- Cabinets may need to be trimmed for height if flooring thickness changes
- Flooring install errors more difficult to correct behind fixed cabinets
Overall, installing cabinetry after new kitchen flooring provides the most seamless finished look in most situations. But for some layouts and flooring materials, post-cabinet installation can be a viable option as well.
Considerations by Flooring Type
Beyond the general recommendations above, there are some additional things to consider about flooring installation order based on your specific kitchen flooring material:
Hardwood
- Acclimate boards for 7-10 days before installation
- Allow proper drying time for any staining and polyurethane coating
- Use plywood underlayment on subfloor for securing cabinets later
Laminate
- Acclimate planks for 48 hours before installing
- Use underlayment designed for moisture barrier and sound insulation
- Match planks directionally for appearance under cabinets
Tile
- Allow mortar bed to fully cure before setting cabinets (10-14 days)
- Use uncoupling membrane for better crack resistance
- Check floor flatness; may need self-leveling compound applied first
Vinyl
- Acclimate planks/tiles for 24 hours before installing
- Include expansion gaps at edges and transitions
- Use seam sealer for preventing moisture getting under planks
Carpet
- Tack strips go down before cabinets and flooring is tucked in after
- Check cabinet toe kick height to ensure proper coverage
- Consider low-profile commercial-grade carpet for easier install
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
When preparing to install kitchen cabinets after new flooring, there are some best practices to follow:
- Carefully remove any existing cabinets and countertops first
- Clean and prepare the subfloor properly as needed
- Lay new flooring throughout entire kitchen space as desired
- Have cabinets and layout details ready for accurate placement
- Set temporary supports, shims, and spacers to level and secure cabinets
- Anchor to studs or subfloor as needed for a sturdy base
- Use filler strips or caulk for clean transitions and edges
- Attach countertops and make final adjustments/trim as needed
Taking the time to ensure cabinets are situated securely and true to layout on the new floors makes the process smoother and provides superior results.
Installing Cabinets Before New Flooring
If choosing to install kitchen cabinets prior to new flooring, follow these tips:
- Have detailed cabinet plans for exact footprint and placement
- Set cabinets according to plan and temporary shims/spacers
- Anchor securely to studs and existing subfloor
- Remove doors/drawers as needed for easier flooring access
- Check heights and make adjustments as required after flooring
- Use trim pieces and caulk for clean exposed cabinet edges
- Add moldings like quarter round to cover any gaps if needed
Doing the cabinets first means taking extra steps to compensate for the flooring installation afterward. Precise plans and measurements help avoid issues.
Conclusion
Determining whether to install new floors or cabinets first when renovating your kitchen requires careful consideration of the flooring materials chosen, cabinet styles selected, appliance and utility connections, and overall kitchen layout.
Hardwood or tile floors are typically best installed before securing the cabinets to ensure a flush fit and prevent damaging the flooring materials during cabinet installation. Floating vinyl, laminate or engineered wood flooring often has more flexibility to be installed before or after cabinets.
Careful planning and preparation can make staggering the cabinet and flooring installations relatively smooth. Addressing details like leaving adequate expansion spaces, allowing proper acclimation and cure times, using appropriate underlayments or moisture barriers, and making height adjustments will provide the most seamless finished results.
Considering all the variables of your unique kitchen layout and the specifics of your chosen flooring products and cabinetry is important to determine the best installation order. This will provide functional cabinetry on beautiful floors that you will enjoy for many years to come. With attention to detail throughout the planning and process, you can achieve a stunning, cohesive look installing your new floors and cabinets in whichever order makes the most sense for your kitchen remodel or renovation project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you lay hardwood floors before installing kitchen cabinets?
Yes, it is usually recommended to install solid hardwood flooring before installing and securing kitchen cabinets. Laying the flooring first enables the boards to fit under the cabinet bases, minimizes damage from moving cabinets, and allows for leveling cabinets directly on the finished wood floor.
Should you put laminate flooring down before kitchen cabinets?
Laminate flooring provides flexibility to install before or after cabinet installation in many cases. Leaving expansion room under cabinets, laminate planks can slide partially beneath for a flush fit. But securing cabinets directly to the subfloor rather than just on top of laminate provides a more stable base.
Should vinyl plank flooring be installed before or after kitchen cabinets?
Vinyl plank flooring is well-suited for installing after cabinet installation since the planks float and lock together without adhesive. This allows them to be fitted around cabinet bases already secured to the subfloor while preventing damage from moving cabinets over unprotected planks.
Can you install cabinets on existing kitchen flooring?
In some cases, yes. If the subfloor is very flat and undamaged, and the existing flooring is in excellent condition, cabinets can be installed directly on top of the old floors. The flooring must be level enough to properly support the cabinet bases and prevent rocking. But replacing kitchen flooring first is usually recommended if possible.
Should you replace kitchen flooring or cabinets first?
It is generally advised to replace the kitchen flooring before replacing and installing new cabinets. New flooring should run uninterrupted under the entire cabinet footprint. And pre-installed flooring prevents damage while moving cabinets into place and enables leveling cabinets directly on the floor.