Installing new kitchen flooring can be an exciting project that helps refresh the look and feel of your home. But for many homeowners, the question arises – should you install new kitchen flooring before or after putting in new cabinets? There are good reasons for both approaches, so let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each option.

The Case for Installing Flooring First

There are some clear advantages to installing your new kitchen flooring prior to putting in the cabinetry:

Easier Installation Process

Installing flooring with the old cabinets still in place can be challenging. You have to work around them, cutting flooring to fit around each base cabinet. With the cabinets removed, you have full access to the entire floor space. This makes it simpler to lay the flooring properly and achieve clean, consistent seams between pieces.

Better Fit with Cabinets

When you install flooring first, you can ensure a perfect fit with the new cabinets. The bottom of the cabinets can sit directly on top of the flooring, with no gaps or unevenness. This creates a seamless transition between the floor and cabinets.

Floor Protection During Cabinet Installation

Putting in new cabinets involves a lot of heavy lifting, moving materials around, and potentially dropping tools or hardware. Installing cabinets on top of pristine new flooring means you have to be very careful not to scuff or damage the floor’s surface. But with the flooring done first, you don’t have to worry about that during the cabinet installation process.

Consistent Flooring Under All Cabinets

With flooring installed beforehand, you can run the flooring under oven islands, peninsulas, and any other cabinet spaces. This creates one continuous flooring surface throughout the whole kitchen. If you do flooring after cabinets, these spaces often need separate flooring pieces.

Easier Transitions at Doorways

Completing the flooring before cabinetry lets you seamlessly transition into adjoining rooms. You can run the flooring under the door jambs and achieve clean, smooth edges. Trying to transition flooring pieces from one room to another with cabinets in place can be very tricky.

The Case for Cabinets First

On the other hand, there are also some good reasons why many homeowners prefer to install cabinets before putting in new floors:

Floor Protection During Remodeling

If you are doing a full kitchen remodel involving multiple trades, installing cabinets first protects the new flooring. Countertop installation, plumbing modifications, appliance installation, and other work can damage or soil floors. Cabinets provide a shield.

Easier to Achieve Right Height

Cabinet height may need to be adjusted to account for the thickness of the new flooring and ensure proper alignment with countertops and appliances. With cabinets in place first, it is simpler to calculate the required cabinet dimensions and achieve the correct finished height.

Avoid Dust in Cabinets

Flooring installation, especially with products like engineered hardwood, will generate sawdust and debris. With cabinets installed first, you avoid getting dust inside the cabinets where it is difficult to clean.

Simplify Transition at Cabinets

Ending flooring pieces right against the toe kick of cabinets results in a cleaner transition line compared to running flooring under cabinets. This can make installation simpler as you don’t have to slide flooring pieces under fixed cabinetry.

Better Matching of Flooring Seams

Being able to see the exact cabinet footprint before installing flooring allows you to plan boards and tile pieces so seams between flooring do not fall directly align with cabinet edges and seams. The result is a more seamless look.

Consistent Heights for Islands/Peninsulas

Flooring installed after cabinetry makes it easier to maintain the same floor and cabinet height around islands and peninsulas. With flooring first, compensating for floor thickness in these spaces is more difficult.

Other Key Considerations

Beyond the core pros and cons outlined above, there are a few other factors to keep in mind when deciding the sequence for your kitchen remodel:

Type of Flooring

Some flooring, like sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl plank, is more flexible to install around existing cabinets. Wood or ceramic tile is tougher to fit tightly against fixed cabinetry.

Demo Work Needed

If you need to alter floor structural elements like joists during your remodel, it likely makes more sense to do flooring first before installing cabinets on top.

Appliance Installation

If appliances like stoves or fridges will be removed and reinstalled with surrounding flooring finished afterward, cabinets first allows appliances to be anchored properly to the subfloor while flooring can be inserted neatly underneath.

Ease of Access

Flooring installed underneath fixed peninsulas or islands can be difficult to remove and replace later if damaged. Leaving these spaces unfinished until cabinetry is in provides better long-term access.

Condition of Existing Floor

If your current subfloor or underlayment needs significant repair work, it is often better to address this prior to cabinet installation to avoid damage to new cabinetry.

Do You Install Kitchen Flooring Before Cabinets? Key Steps for Each Approach

Now that we’ve examined the potential advantages of both install sequences, let’s look at the key steps to take for each method:

Installing Flooring Before Cabinets

1. Remove old cabinets & prep the subfloor – Take out existing cabinetry, appliances, trim, etc. Repair/replace subflooring as needed so the surface is clean and ready for new flooring.
2. Install underlayment if needed – For types like hardwood or laminate, install foam or felt underlayment as an additional cushion layer according to flooring specifications.
3. Lay the new flooring – Install the flooring material throughout the entire room according to manufacturer guidelines, including areas under overhangs, islands, and peninsulas.
4. Install trim pieces – Add any transition trim strips needed in doorways, at room edges, or to frame out unfinished areas under cabinet overhangs.
5. Bring in and install cabinets – With the flooring complete, the new cabinets can be installed on top anchored securely to the walls and subfloor without worrying about damaging the new floor.

Installing Cabinets Before Flooring

1. Remove old cabinets & appliances – Demolish existing cabinetry but leave subfloor fully intact, only making repairs if severely damaged or structurally unsound.
2. Install new cabinetry – Bring in new cabinets and securely fasten to the walls according to the cabinet design layout. Double check all measurements for proper fit.
3. Install countertops & make cabinet modifications – With cabinet carcasses in place, install countertops, make any final cabinet door/drawer adjustments, and install interior fittings.
4. Prep the subfloor – Sweep and clean the subfloor. Make any marks for baseline measurements or to indicate cabinet locations. Cover cabinets with rosin paper or plastic sheeting to protect from dust.
5. Install the new flooring – With cabinets in place, install flooring per manufacturer instructions, cutting pieces to fit tightly along cabinet edges and around room obstructions. Remove all dust barriers and thoroughly clean the new flooring before use.

Do You Install Kitchen Flooring Before Cabinets? Frequently Asked Questions

Many homeowners wrestling with the “flooring or cabinets first” decision have additional questions about how to approach the process. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

Should I remove old flooring before or after taking out kitchen cabinets?

In most cases, it is better to remove existing flooring after taking out the old cabinets. Trying to rip out the floor with cabinets still in place makes the demolition much more difficult. Removing cabinets first creates open access to pry up and dispose of old flooring efficiently.

What if my kitchen remodel requires subfloor work?

If you need to alter or replace any of the subflooring structure or underlayment, then flooring should go in before cabinets. Trying to modify subfloor support with cabinets on top is generally not feasible. Complete all structural work prior to cabinet installation.

Should I install hardwood flooring before kitchen cabinets?

Many homeowners prefer to install solid hardwood planks prior to cabinets. This makes it easier to run the flooring consistently under cabinet overhangs and achieve clean transitions into adjoining spaces. Just be sure to protect floors thoroughly until cabinet installation is complete.

How do you install vinyl flooring around kitchen cabinets?

For sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl planks, measure carefully and cut pieces to fit tightly along cabinet edges. You may need to notch out thin slivers where flooring must fit under toe kicks. Remove cabinet doors where possible to ease installation underneath.

Can you install cabinets on concrete without flooring?

Yes, cabinets can be installed directly onto bare concrete subfloor. Use shims to level cabinets and anchor securely into the concrete with specialty fasteners. Bare floors should be sealed thoroughly prior to cabinet installation.

What order should you install kitchen cabinets, countertops and flooring?

The typical order is 1) Install cabinets 2) Install countertops 3) Install flooring. Countertops require secure, level cabinet bases to rest on. Flooring installs more cleanly when cabinets and counters are in place to protect the surrounding materials.

Do You Install Kitchen Flooring Before Cabinets? Final Considerations

The sequence of installing flooring versus cabinets for your kitchen remodel depends on several factors – the flooring type, demo scope, appliance changes, and more. Carefully weigh the pros and cons outlined here when deciding the best order for your specific kitchen project. And remember to double check floor and cabinet height calculations when switching up the install sequence. With proper planning upfront, you can achieve a beautiful, cohesive finished kitchen design regardless of which step you tackle first. Good luck with your exciting kitchen remodel project!

Conclusion

Deciding whether to install kitchen flooring before or after cabinets depends on a number of considerations, including flooring type, required demolition, appliance installation, ease of access, and more. There are good reasons to tackle either task first. Installing flooring before cabinets simplifies the installation process, allows flooring to run seamlessly under cabinets, and protects the floor during subsequent construction. Installing cabinets first shields the flooring during other remodel work, makes it easier to calculate finished heights, prevents dust in cabinets, and creates cleaner transitions at cabinet edges. Carefully weigh these pros and cons based on the details of your kitchen project. With proper planning, high quality flooring and cabinetry, and attention to height details, you can achieve a beautiful finished kitchen regardless of which you tackle first. Just be sure to protect completed work thoroughly as the remodel progresses.

FAQs About Installing Kitchen Flooring Before or After Cabinets

Q: Is it better to install hardwood flooring or cabinets first?

A: Generally it is better to install solid hardwood flooring first before bringing in and installing cabinets. This allows the flooring to run under the cabinets for a seamless look. The clean subfloor also protects the new hardwood from dents and scratches during cabinet installation.

Q: Should you put tile flooring down before installing kitchen cabinets?

A: Tile can be installed either before or after cabinet installation. Installing tile first allows you to run flooring under cabinet overhangs smoothly. But installing cabinets first makes it easier to achieve consistent tile layout and prevent dust in cabinets.

Q: Can you install kitchen cabinets on new concrete?

A: Yes, kitchen cabinets can be installed directly onto new bare concrete. The concrete must be fully cured, sealed, and leveled properly. Use shims to adjust cabinet placements as needed and secure into concrete with specialty fasteners.

Q: What order should you renovate a kitchen – cabinets, flooring, or countertops first?

A: The typical sequence is:
1) Install new kitchen cabinets first
2) Install countertops
3) Install new flooring last

This protects each stage of the renovation and provides the necessary base for the next step.

Q: Should you install cabinets or flooring first in a bathroom remodel?

A: For a bathroom remodel, it is usually best to install the new flooring before bringing in and securing the cabinets. The plumbing can be completed more easily with open under-cabinet access. And flooring is protected during heavy cabinet installation.

In Closing:

The decision whether to install kitchen flooring or cabinets first comes down to a myriad of factors, which we’ve outlined here in detail. Carefully consider the pros and cons for your specific kitchen remodel project. Plan heights and transitions meticulously regardless of sequence. With proper prep work and protection, your beautiful new kitchen can come together seamlessly whether flooring or cabinets comes first. Just focus on high quality installation every step of the way.