When undertaking a kitchen or bathroom remodel, one of the biggest questions that comes up is what order to install the flooring and cabinets in. Both floors and cabinets play a major role in the look and functionality of the space, so making the right decision on the installation order is key. Should the cabinets go in first, or is it better to lay the flooring down before installing the cabinetry? There are pros and cons to each approach, so it’s important to understand the factors involved in order to make the best decision for your particular renovation project.
Overview of Flooring and Cabinet Installation Order
The sequence of installing floors and cabinets falls into two main approaches:
- Floors First: Installing all flooring materials/systems first, then installing cabinets on top.
- Cabinets First: Installing cabinets first, then installing flooring materials around them.
There is no universally “correct” order, as both methods have situations where they work best. However, the “floors first” approach is more commonly recommended by flooring experts, installers and designers for most situations.
Installing the flooring throughout the entire space before putting in the cabinetry allows for a more seamless and continuous look for the floors. It also avoids many of the challenges of having to cut flooring pieces around cabinets and work flooring under toe kicks.
However, the “cabinets first” method also has some advantages in specific scenarios involving moisture-prone flooring materials or intricate cabinetry installations.
Ultimately, choosing the best order depends on the details of your particular kitchen or bath project, like the flooring type, cabinet design, and layout of the space. Understanding the pros and cons of each approach will help make the right decision for your situation.
Pros of Installing Flooring Before Cabinets
Putting in the flooring first, before cabinet installation, has several benefits:
Continuity of Flooring Materials
Installing flooring throughout the entire space before cabinet installation allows for a more seamless, continuous look. Flooring can be installed wall-to-wall without any need to cut pieces to fit around cabinets. This avoids disjointed looks from having cabinet seams interrupting floor patterns.
For example, hardwood floors will have a clean, uniform appearance when installed under cabinets compared to being cut around them. Tile patterns can also continue uninterrupted under cabinet areas.
Easier Flooring Installation
Without cabinets in place, installing flooring becomes much simpler. Areas like corners and edges along walls are readily accessible for full pieces of flooring. Trimming and cutting difficulties around cabinet toes kicks and edges are avoided.
Flooring can be quickly and cleanly installed with full sheets or planks. For projects using materials like sheet vinyl or large format tiles, this easier installation is a major advantage.
Ability to Refinish/Replace Floors
With the flooring running under cabinets, it makes any future refinishing or replacement of flooring possible without needing to remove cabinetry. This allows you to refresh hardwoods or change out flooring materials down the road much more easily.
Better Moisture Protection
Installing cabinets on top of finished flooring helps protect the bottom of cabinets from any moisture issues. Elevating cabinets on flooring creates a moisture barrier rather than having them sit directly on potentially damp subfloors. This can help prevent swelling and deterioration over time.
Avoidance of Toekick Scuffing
Finishing floors first means cabinet bases and toekicks won’t get scuffed up during installation. The flooring is protected under cabinets when they are installed over the top.
Cabinets Won’t Interrupt Flooring Expansion
For materials like solid hardwood that need room to expand and contract, having flooring under cabinets provides that space versus cutting around them. Covering floors with cabinetry prevents compressing expansion gaps.
Cons of Floors First Approach
While the “floors first” method has many advantages, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
Cabinets Aren’t Supported by Subfloor
Installing cabinets onto finished flooring means they don’t have the solid support from being attached directly to the subfloor. This could allow more shifting, sagging or lack of alignment over time.
Base Molding/Trim Challenges
It can be trickier later on to install base molding cleanly at the transition from flooring to cabinet bases and toe kicks. The required cutting and fitting is more precise.
Can’t Guarantee Perfectly Flush Cabinets
Even with careful installation, flooring thickness inconsistencies can prevent cabinets from ending up perfectly level and flush after they are set in place. This alignment can be easier guaranteed with flooring going in after cabinet bases are secured.
Moisture Concerns with Some Flooring
Covering very moisture-prone flooring materials like natural stone or concrete with cabinets can lead to moisture buildup issues. Trapped condensation needs to be considered.
Pros of Installing Cabinets Before Floors
While less commonly recommended, the “cabinets first” method has advantages in certain scenarios:
Cabinets Fully Supported by Subfloor
With cabinets secured firmly to the subfloor rather than simply sitting on top of flooring, it provides maximum stability and minimizes any settling or movement later on.
Easier Toekick/Base Molding Installation
Flooring can be slipped under cabinet bases and cleanly transitioned to any molding or trim. No difficult scribe cutting needed around already installed cabinets.
Guaranteed Level and Flush Cabinets
Any slight imperfections in the floor won’t prevent cabinets from being perfectly level when installed first onto the flat subfloor. Their alignment won’t be impacted later when flooring goes in.
Better Moisture Resistance Option
If moisture-sensitive flooring is being installed like some hardwoods or laminates, having cabinets create a barrier can help prevent moisture damage. They block dampness from below.
Avoid Finish Damage From Cabinets
Installing cabinets after flooring means the flooring surface won’t get damaged, scratched or scuffed up during cabinet installation. The flooring can stay pristine.
Cons of Cabinets First Approach
While the cabinet-first method can be useful in certain situations, it also has some disadvantages to weigh:
Discontinuous Flooring Results
Flooring installed around cabinets will end up being chopped up and disjointed. Cabinet bases interrupt full sheets of flooring, creating a more fragmented look.
Challenging Flooring Installation
Installing flooring around already fixed cabinets is much more difficult. Precisely cutting and fitting flooring pieces in cabinet corners and around toes kicks takes extra time and work.
Can’t Easily Replace Flooring
Flooring is essentially trapped under cabinets when installed after them. This makes refinishing or replacing flooring down the road extremely difficult without removing all cabinetry first.
Moisture Protection Reduced
Sitting cabinet bases directly on the subfloor removes the moisture protection benefit of elevating them on finished flooring. Ground moisture could damage cabinet bases over time.
Scuffing Risk During Install
Unfinished flooring will likely get scuffed and marked up during cabinet installation. Finish damage is hard to avoid when cabinet bases are slid around on the bare floor.
Key Factors in Deciding Flooring vs. Cabinet Order
With the benefits and downsides of each approach in mind, here are some of the key factors to consider when deciding the best order for your specific kitchen or bathroom remodel:
Type of Flooring Material
The flooring type you choose can influence the ideal order. Materials like natural stone, concrete, and some hardwoods that are very moisture-sensitive often benefit from going in after cabinet bases form a barrier. Meanwhile, large format or continuous materials like sheet vinyl and LVT click planks achieve better results when installed wall-to-wall before cabinets.
Floor Plan Layout
In spaces with complex cabinetry footprints or islands/peninsulas, installing flooring first can avoid many cut-in complexities. Open concept areas are also often better suited to full flooring installation before cabinet placement.
Style of Cabinets/Toekicks
Standard rectangular cabinet bases are usually simple to work flooring around compared to more customized shapes or intricate toekick details. The more complex the cabinet design, the harder flooring installation becomes if done after cabinet installation.
Plumbing and Appliance Locations
Rough-in locations for plumbing and appliances can impact ideal flooring order. Having floors finished under appliances avoids later finish damage. But plumbing should often be completed first before flooring installation.
Refinishing/Replacement Plans
If you think you may want to refinish or replace flooring at some point, opt for installing it first so it continues under cabinets. This avoids needing cabinet removal later just to access flooring.
Budget/Timeline
Flooring first takes more time and flooring material to finish all areas under cabinets. The cabinets-first approach uses less flooring and may involve less installation labor time/cost.
Recommended Order: Floors Before Cabinets
For most standard kitchen and bath renovation situations, installing the flooring first before putting in cabinets is the recommended best practice.
The ability to achieve a seamless flooring look, easier installation, future flooring access, and moisture protection make a compelling case for laying floors throughout before cabinet installation.
This order works well for sheet goods like vinyl and linoleum, tile floors, and solid hardwood. It also accommodates most typical cabinet footprints.
Of course, there can be exceptions depending on the special circumstances of a given project. But in general, you can feel confident that finishing the flooring completely first will yield the best results and avoid many headaches down the road.
Step-By-Step Process for Floors First Approach
If you decide that installing flooring before cabinets is the right sequence for your kitchen or bath remodel, follow this step-by-step process:
1. Demolition
Complete any necessary demolition work like removing old cabinets, countertops, or existing flooring as a first step. This exposes the blank canvas for your new floor and cabinet installation.
2. Subfloor Preparation
With old flooring removed, check the subfloor for levelness and make any repairs needed. Moisture testing should also be done before applying new floors.
3. Plumbing and Electrical
Finish up any plumbing or electrical modifications in the space before new flooring installation. This includes things like moving drain lines, installing underfloor heating, or adding circuits.
4. Flooring Installation
With the prepared subfloor ready, install your new flooring throughout the entire space wall-to-wall. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended methods for that flooring type.
5. Cabinet Installation
Once flooring is fully installed and cured/hardened, the cabinet installation can begin. Secure them to the walls or floor following the cabinet manufacturer’s directions.
6. Countertops and Toekicks
Install countertops on cabinet bases, then add any toekicks or trim pieces around cabinet bases as needed to transition smoothly from floor to cabinets.
7. Finish Details
Finally, install the rest of the floor trim molding around the perimeter of the space. caulk/grout all seams and transitions. Enjoy your seamless new floors and cabinets!
Tips for Success with Floors First Approach
Here are some top tips to ensure optimal success when installing flooring before cabinets:
- Allow proper acclimation and curing time for the flooring per manufacturer instructions before cabinet installation.
- Use shims under cabinet bases as needed to account for slight flooring thickness inconsistencies.
- Test cabinet placement first, then outline their footprint with tape to guide flooring installation before permanent cabinet installation.
- Use scrap flooring pieces and spacers under appliances and islands to maintain the right expansion gaps for flooring to go underneath.
- Carefully plan finished floor height relative to doors, appliances, plumbing drain heights, etc before laying flooring.
- Ensure floor flatness – use levelers or grinding as needed – so cabinets sit flush.
- Have flooring run up walls an extra 1-2 inches beyond the planned cabinet height for clean finish.
- Use drawings/plans of the cabinets and flooring to visualize how they’ll integrate and identify any layout issues before starting.
Special Considerations for Tile Floors
Tile is a very commonly used flooring material in kitchens and bathrooms. When using tile, there are some additional factors to consider related to the flooring installation order:
Moisture barrier: It is advisable to install a waterproof membrane over the subfloor prior to laying tile in rooms with frequent water exposure like bathrooms.
Tile underlayment: A cement backerboard or decoupling membrane is usually installed over the subfloor before tile application. Cabinets can potentially be installed onto this underlayment rather than just the bare subfloor.
Grouting: When tile is laid first, grouting can be done later after cabinets installed. Avoid excess grout bumps where base cabinets will sit.
Tile cuts: Take care when laying tile underneath cabinets to avoid cutting through any decorative tile designs/patterns. Plan tile layouts accordingly.
Toekick height: Factor in the extra height of the tile and underlayment layers relative to cabinet bases. Adjust toekicks or shim cabinets to align.
Perimeter expansion joints: Leave proper expansion space at edges and transitions when tiling under fixed cabinets to prevent cracking from floor shifts.
With careful planning and layout, the “floors first” approach can work very successfully for tile installations. Just take into account these special considerations for a seamless finished look.
Floors vs Cabinets: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about flooring and cabinet installation order:
Should you install kitchen cabinets before or after hardwood floors?
Hardwood generally looks best installed wall-to-wall before cabinets. This allows continuous planks under cabinets and avoids moisture risks. Refinishing hardwoods is also easier later if installed first.
Can you install LVT flooring under kitchen cabinets?
Yes, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) is well-suited for going under cabinets. Its dimensional stability and waterproof qualities make for a seamless installation. Just ensure proper expansion space at perimeter.
What order should you install tile floors and bathroom vanities?
For bathrooms, tiling before vanity installation is recommended. This allows continuous floor tiles front-to-back under vanities for a clean look. Just factor in the added tile thickness for cabinet installation height.
Should you install kitchen island cabinets before or after flooring?
Islands look best with flooring running continuously underneath for proper toe kick alignment. Install flooring first, then secure island cabinets directly onto the finished floor.
Can you install laminate flooring under kitchen cabinets?
Laminate should go in after cabinet installation. Otherwise, trapped moisture under cabinets risks swelling/damage to laminate flooring over time. Cutting around cabinets also avoids chipping laminate.
Is it better to install baseboards before or after kitchen cabinets?
Baseboards look best installed after flooring and cabinets. This allows a tight seamless fit. Pre-installing creates gaps. Cabinets should be shimmed to allow space for adding baseboards later.
Key Takeaways
- When remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, the flooring vs cabinet installation order is an important decision.
- The two main options are installing flooring first throughout the space, or putting cabinets in first before flooring.
- For most standard projects, doing flooring fully first is recommended for easier installation, better moisture protection, and a continuous seamless floor look.
- But there are some exceptions where cabinet-first makes sense, like with moisture-prone floors or intricate cabinetry details.
- Consider factors like flooring type, layout, and future access when deciding the optimal order.
- With careful planning upfront, either approach can yield successful results as long as the pros and cons are understood.
- Getting professional input for your specific project can help determine the ideal floor-to-cabinet installation sequence.
So consider all the angles, understand the key factors, and plan wisely when determining whether new floors or new cabinets should come first! With strategic installation sequencing, you’ll end up with a kitchen or bath space that looks amazing and functions flawlessly.