Do appliances go in before flooring?

Author: Abigale Wiza  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

By installing flooring underneath your appliances, you'll avoid any gaps or transitions that can be visually unappealing.

Does flooring go under appliances?

kitchen appliances?" Refrigerators and stoves should be moved out so the flooring will be installed under them. Dishwashers on the other hand require a plumber and electrician to disconnect and reset.

Should you install appliances before or after flooring?

Flooring should go under appliances and floor should be finished under appliances.

Should you do flooring or kitchen first?

For optimal results in home renovations, cabinets should be installed before the flooring. This ensures a level surface, making cabinet placement easier and providing a polished look. Additionally, it safeguards the flooring from potential damage during installation.

What goes down before flooring?

You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.

Do You Install Flooring Before Cabinets?

What should I put down before laying vinyl flooring?

The most used types of underlayment for vinyl are cork, foam, felt, rubber, plywood, and OSB.
  1. Cork. When it comes to reducing noise in your home, cork is an excellent option. ...
  2. Foam. ...
  3. Felt. ...
  4. Particle Board. ...
  5. Rubber. ...
  6. Plywood and OSB.

Does flooring go in before kitchen?

As a general recommendation, it's more cost-effective to install your cabinetry first. Many experts suggest leaving the kickboards off your cabinets until the flooring is laid. This allows the flooring to go slightly under the cabinets, creating a cleaner look.

Should flooring go under the dishwasher?

For instance, built-in appliances, like wall ovens or cooktops, often don't need flooring underneath since they are more permanent fixtures. In contrast, movable appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers benefit from having flooring underneath to prevent movement and protect against potential leaks.

Why don't you put flooring under kitchen cabinets?

Because of this installation process, its recommended cabinets go in before floating floors. Cabinets, especially those with heavy stone countertops, could damage your floating floors. These types of floors also shift, expand, contract and settle after installation, causing the cabinets on top of them to move.

Should countertops go before or after flooring?

Countertops are typically installed after flooring, cabinets, and appliances. This is true for both new builds, and remodeling projects. Since countertops sit directly on the cabinets, the cabinetry must be installed prior to the final measurements, fabrication, and installation.

Should you install dishwasher or floor first?

Always floor first. Just try and relace a appliance sitting on the subfloor. You will wind up having to cut the floor away to yank a dishwasher someday, fridge is hard to roll with a lip in front, same with a stove/oven. NEVER PUT LAMINATE IN FIRST.

Do you put vinyl flooring under the stove?

Ranges, like many other household appliances, are heavy and can settle into soft floor coverings such as cushioned vinyl or carpeting. We recommend that all free-standing ranges and slide-in ranges be put on a sheet of plywood to allow ease in moving for service and cleaning.

When should appliances be installed?

Appliances Should Be Installed First

Having them in place will ensure that they're taken into account for the measurements of your counters. Plus, if you're investing in higher-end countertops, you won't want to risk technicians damaging them by installing appliances after the counters are in place.

Do appliances go on top of vinyl plank flooring?

Since refrigerators weigh, on average, between 200 and 400 pounds, there should not be any problems placing a fridge or other heavy furniture on your vinyl plank floors. Vinyl planks are specifically designed with durability in mind.

Do you put flooring under washer and dryer?

For example, installing floor glides, protective pads, or a heavy-duty floor protection board under the appliance can prevent damage from the prolonged heavy weight and movements during spin cycles.

Does something go under laminate flooring?

Some laminate flooring planks come with the underlayment attached to each plank. Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don't have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.

Should you install kitchen or floor first?

The general rule of thumb with kitchen remodels is to follow this order: lay the flooring, install the kitchen cabinets, glue down the countertops and install backsplash, and then bring in the appliances, sink, hardware, light fixtures and backsplash for the final touches.

Does vinyl plank flooring go under kitchen cabinets?

So, if you're wondering if you can put cabinets on top of vinyl plank flooring or if you can install vinyl flooring before or after cabinets, unfortunately, you should have the cabinets installed first or choose from the options described below. Recommended: Install cabinets BEFORE floating flooring.

Should kitchen island go before or after flooring?

Similar to an ordinary kitchen, the weight of a cooking island can cause the floor to crack if placed incorrectly. To avoid this, place the kitchen island before laying the floor and carefully consider the placement of the sides.

Do appliances get installed before flooring?

Practical Considerations. The chances are good that cabinets and appliances will need to be replaced before the flooring. For this reason, it is always a good idea to install the flooring first to make for easier and cleaner removal and installation.

Can a dishwasher leak under the floor?

If you find that your dishwasher is leaking from the bottom, this is most likely due to a leaky gasket and can be indicated by water on the floor in front of the dishwasher. If you notice that the dishwasher is leaking from underneath, you could also have a cracked hose or faulty valves connection issue.

Do you put tile flooring under appliances?

Always install the tile to the wall, under appliances, and cabinets. Good flooring could be in place for 20 years or more.

Does flooring usually go under kitchen cabinets?

In most cases, it's best to install the flooring first, as this provides a more finished look and makes it easier to install and level the cabinets. However, there are situations where installing the flooring after the cabinets may be more practical.

Does flooring go under the dishwasher?

Maintaining Even Floor Height

This is one of the more practical reasons to put flooring under your dishwasher. Putting flooring below your dishwasher is also beneficial if your new floor will be on top of a new subfloor that adds some height to the floor.

Do toilets go in before flooring?

Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet. This approach creates a cleaner, more polished look and helps prevent future maintenance issues.

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