When remodeling your kitchen, there are many decisions to make. One crucial question is whether you should install flooring before cabinets. The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on the type of flooring you choose and your plans for future kitchen projects. Installing flooring first can create a seamless look, but it might not be necessary for every type of material. On the other hand, installing cabinets first could save time and money. Let’s explore different flooring options below to help you decide the best approach for your kitchen remodel.
Cabinets or Flooring First? Key Factors to Consider
If you’re not a contractor or a home improvement expert, you might wonder whether to install flooring before or after cabinets. The order of installation can impact your renovation’s overall look, durability, and cost. Consider these critical factors to help you make the best decision for your home. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek, continuous floor or trying to minimize costs, understanding these details will guide you through your renovation process.
Choosing the Right Flooring Material
The type of flooring you select plays a significant role in determining the order of your renovation. For instance, we recommend installing hardwood flooring before cabinets to create a seamless, uniform appearance. However, if you opt for tile, installing it after your cabinets are in place is generally acceptable. Each material has its guidelines, so when you decide on a flooring type, consult your flooring provider or contractor for expert advice tailored to your project. Their insights will ensure your renovation goes smoothly and meets your expectations.
Painting and Other Renovations
If your kitchen renovation includes painting, it’s a good idea to postpone the installation of your floors until later. This not only prevents accidental paint spills or splatters from damaging your new flooring but also ensures that it’s protected from potential scratches, dents, or other damage during the renovation. By keeping the flooring for the final stages, you can be sure that it will remain in perfect condition, ready to be the crowning glory of your beautifully renovated kitchen. This strategy provides a sense of reassurance and confidence in your renovation plan.
Planning for Future Remodels
If you anticipate remodeling your kitchen again, installing the flooring first can make that process easier. When flooring is installed after cabinets, it needs to be cut to fit around the cabinets. It can lead to gaps or unfinished areas if you decide to change the layout or design of your cabinets later on. Installing the flooring first ensures a continuous, finished surface throughout your kitchen, making future updates more straightforward and flexible without worrying about mismatched or incomplete flooring.
Pros and Cons of Installing Cabinets First
Should you install cabinets before flooring? Before you decide, think about these pros and cons.
Pros of Installing Cabinets First
- Save on Flooring Material:
Installing cabinets first requires only laying flooring in the visible areas. It can reduce costs, as you’re not paying for flooring that will be hidden beneath the cabinets.
- Shorter Installation Process:
With less flooring to install, the process can be quicker, allowing you to move on to the next stage of your renovation sooner.
- Protect Your Floors:
Without floors in place, you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged during the rest of the renovation. Whether painting or moving heavy furniture, your floors will stay safe until you’re ready to install them.
Cons of Installing Cabinets First
- Fixed Layout:
Installing flooring after the cabinets means the flooring is cut to fit your current layout. If you choose to change the kitchen layout in the future, you may need help finding gaps or unfinished areas where the old cabinets were.
- Potentially Higher Costs:
While you might use less flooring material, the installation process can be more complex and expensive. Cutting and fitting flooring around cabinets requires precision, driving up labor costs.
Pros and Cons of Installing Flooring First
Installing flooring before other elements has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Pros of Installing Flooring First
- Uniform Floor Installation:
Installing the flooring first means it will cover the entire room without interruptions. It provides a seamless look and makes future changes more accessible, as the flooring will extend throughout the space.
- Proper Cabinet and Appliance Height:
Flooring installed first can help adjust the height of cabinets and appliances. If something is not the right height, you can use the flooring to add extra height where needed.
Cons of Installing Flooring First
- Potential Movement:
Some flooring materials, like wood, can expand or shrink with changes in humidity and temperature. It could affect the stability of cabinets and appliances installed on top of it.
- Risk of Damage:
Having flooring in place early means you must be careful to avoid scratches, dents, or stains during the rest of the renovation process. Taking extra precautions will help keep your floors in good condition.
Which should go in first: hardwood floors or cabinets?
For most hardwood floors, it is best to install the flooring before the cabinets. Installing hardwood first helps ensure the floors are level and at the correct height for your cabinets. It also reduces the risk of damaging the cabinets during the flooring installation.
To plan your kitchen remodel:
- Create a timeline that includes time for installing the hardwood floors.
- Apply two coats of polyurethane or another protective finish to your new floors before installing the cabinets.
- Use temporary protection on the floors while the rest of your kitchen is completed to keep them in good condition.
Should you install tile floors or cabinets first?
When installing ceramic or porcelain tile in your kitchen, you can choose to lay the tile either before or after the cabinets.
If you install tile before the cabinets, you’ll need more tile material to cover the entire floor. However, this approach smoother the installation process since the tile is laid on an open, unobstructed surface. Plus, if you decide to change your cabinetry layout in the future, your tile will already be in place, offering more flexibility for layout changes.
On the other hand, installing tile after the cabinets means you’ll use less flooring material, as the tiles will be cut to fit around the cabinets. This method can reduce the risk of damaging your tile during cabinet installation. However, it may limit your flexibility if you want to rearrange your cabinet layout later, and detailed cutting around the cabinets may be more complex.
Can you install cabinets over a floating floor?
Floating floors are popular because they snap together easily and don’t need to be nailed or glued down. They come in options like laminate, engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl, and some natural wood and tile styles. Since floating floors are installed differently from traditional hardwood or tile floors, installing the cabinets first is generally better.
Installing cabinets before floating floors is recommended because heavy cabinets, especially those with stone countertops, can damage the floors. Additionally, floating floors can shift, expand, or contract after installation, which might cause the cabinets to move or become uneven.
Get New Kitchen Flooring from Floorsbay
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel or want to update your floors, Floorsbay is here to help. Our experts will visit your home to guide you through the flooring options and answer any questions about whether to install flooring or cabinets first. During your appointment, you can view floor samples right in your kitchen to see how they look with your lighting and decor. Schedule your at-home flooring consultation today and discover how Floorsbay can enhance your home. For more information, call us at (571) 207-5050.