When considering a kitchen remodel, a common question is whether to install cabinets first or the flooring.
While it might be tempting to install the floor first and therefore avoid cutting pieces to work around cabinets, this is far from the best solution. A floating wood floor has to be able to expand and contract with the fluctuations in humidity that accompanies the changing seasons. It can’t do that in the way it should if heavy cabinets are sitting on top of it.
Another issue that arises is the fact that it would be difficult to cut out the pieces that reach under the cabinets if the flooring was ever to be replaced. There’s also a risk of damaging the new floor when the cabinets are installed. For these reasons alone, it’s a smart idea to wait and install the floor after you’ve placed your cabinets where you want them to be.
However, there will always be those who choose to take, “the road less travelled” as it were. So should you choose to put the flooring in first, here are a couple tips that may make the process easier. Place your cabinets where you intend them to go and mark a line on the floor that corresponds to the front edge. Take the cabinets out again and attach a plywood filler piece to the subfloor to mark where the cabinets were and to keep you from accidently placing the floor pieces over the line you made earlier. This piece should be around 2 inches in width, and about 1/8th thicker than the flooring you have selected (this includes any vapor barrier or cushion). Attach a piece of the same thickness to the floor next to the wall. Now install the flooring, but remember to stay about a ¼ inch away from the first filler strip you attached earlier. Once the flooring is installed, you can remove the filler pieces and install the cabinets. There will be enough room between the flooring and the cabinets for the flooring to be able to expand and contract without revealing a noticeable gap.
If you would like to know more about how we can help with your next remodel, contact our office in Joplin, MO. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.