A kitchen remodel can be an exhilarating—but also stressful—experience. The number of design options can be overwhelming, and among the most frequent questions that homeowners ask themselves is whether to install floors or cabinets first. It all depends on a number of factors including your layout, preferred design, and scope of your remodel. This article will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of installing floors first or cabinets first and provide some tips to assist you in making the right decision when considering your kitchen remodeling project.
The Key Considerations When Deciding the Order
Before we get into the details of flooring and cabinetry, there are some important points to take into consideration that will affect your choice. The sequence in which you fit these elements does not only influence the final result, but also the difficulty of the installation process.
Why Does the Order Matter?
Damage prevention:You will want to prevent unwarranted damage to your floors or cabinets caused by installing one over the other.
Design flexibility: Order can assist in bringing a more harmonized appearance once the work is done.
Easy installation: Some installation processes can be easier in relation to the sequence.
So, what are the reasons that influence this decision of whether to install floors or cabinets first?
Why Install Floors First?
A common remodel in kitchens is to install the floors first, as it tends to be safer.
Here’s why:
Protection Against Damage
Cabinets should be installed last because flooring materials, particularly hardwood, tile, and laminate, are easily damaged. Any heavy equipment or tools to install cabinets may scratch or dent the floors, and this will be expensive to repair. You can prevent these possible problems by installing the floors first.
Consistency with Layout
If installing floors, it enables a continuous and seamless design. Cabinets can be fitted under the flooring in a way that they can flow in an uninterrupted manner, providing the kitchen with a clean professional look. This is particularly useful in the case where the floor is open or the person would like the kitchen to harmonize with the surrounding areas.
Adjusting to Imperfect Walls
Walls are not necessarily level, and fitting cabinets first would make it hard to get the accurate measurements of the flooring. With the installation of floors being done before the cabinets, this allows the cabinets to be fitted to conform to the level surface eliminating the chances of awkward gaps.
Installation Flexibility
If you are installing the flooring first, then it provides greater flexibility to change in the future. You will be able to replace cabinets or flooring without the fear of destroying the current materials.
Best For:
- Hardwood floors
- Tile or stone floors
- Laminate flooring
Why Install Cabinets First?
Although it is not so widespread to install the cabinets first, there are certain situations when it is better to start with the cabinets. Here’s why:
Accurate Measurements for Custom Flooring
If you have a special layout or a complex design, it is better to install cabinets first so that your flooring can fit around the cabinets accurately. This will enable you to trim the flooring around the cabinets so it looks neater and so that the flooring is perfectly aligned with the edges of the cabinets.
Cabinet Height Adjustments
The difference in flooring may occur because of the inconsistency of the subfloor or minor variations of the material. If you install cabinets first, you can adjustto fit these inconsistencies. This will ensure that your cabinets are at the desired height providing uniformity in the entire kitchen design.
Installing Luxury Materials
In the case of luxury flooring materials, such as marble, that are sensitive to weight and movement, it would be better to install the cabinets and have the flooring placed perfectly beneath and around the cabinets. This comes in handy even more so with materials which are more delicate and need to be handled with care.
The Hybrid Approach: A Balanced Solution
Otherwise, a hybrid solution of both installing cabinets and floors in a certain order may be the most appropriate alternative. As an illustration, there are homeowners who prefer to install incomplete cabinets and complete the rest of the installation later.
Here’s how it works:
Install Cabinets Partially
Begin with the installation of the base cabinets and then leave the upper cabinets to be fitted after the flooring. This is an ideal method in cases where you do not want to cut the flooring around the cabinets.
Install Flooring Around Base Cabinets
Now that you have the base cabinets installed, you can install the flooring which will be behind the base cabinets. After that, the upper cabinets may be installed without destroying the floors.
This method is particularly useful to those who wish to make sure that the cabinets are firmly fixed to the wall before installing the floor without the risk of damaging it with heavy tools or equipment.
Types of Kitchen Floors and Cabinets to Consider
In choosing between the flooring or cabinets first, it is also worthy to note the material types that will be used. Each material has unique installation requirements.
Popular Flooring Options:
Hardwood: Hardwood is long-lasting and classic, and it should be installed with care to avoid scratches and warping.
Tile: Ceramic and porcelain tiles are hard and durable; however, they need to be cut with accuracy around cabinetry.
Vinyl or Laminate: Simple to put in place and can absorb most subfloor situations; however, can be destroyed if heavy cabinets are fitted initially.
Popular Cabinet Materials:
Wood: Wood cabinets are customizable and traditional and can bear the burden of tools and materials during installation, but must be avoided by heavy construction machines.
Metal: Stainless steel or metal cabinets are strong and heavy,but, in some cases, can be installed prior to flooring.
Pre-Made Cabinets: Pre-assembled or modular cabinets are easier to install and may be easier to work with if you intend to put flooring later.
Consult with Professionals
If you’re unsure about the best order to install your floors and cabinets, consider seeking help from professional contractors or design experts who can assess your kitchen and make specific recommendations.
