Do kitchen cabinets sit on bare flooring or finished floor?

Author: Joy Kub  |  Last update: Monday, November 27, 2023

Yes and no. It really depends on your preference, the type of cabinet, and more importantly, on the type of kitchen flooring you have and how it is installed. It isn't necessary to have your kitchen cabinets sit on the subfloor, and it certainly isn't the desired option among contractors.

Do cabinets go on finished floor or subfloor?

In most cases, the cabinets are installed before the floor covering but after the subfloor and underlayment. The floor covering or finish is usually cut to fit and butted against the cabinets, with a small gap between the two that is covered by nailing a shoe molding or baseboard to the bottom of the base cabinets.

Is it better to put flooring under kitchen cabinets?

You'll Use Less Finish Flooring

Installing kitchen base cabinets before flooring can be a money-saving advantage. For example, most of the costly hardwood flooring is usually placed, sight unseen, underneath the cabinets.

Do cabinets sit on top of hardwood floors?

Putting hardwood floors in your kitchen will look luxurious. Great choice. When building your kitchen using hardwood flooring, we recommend installing your hardwood flooring before adding any cabinetry or appliances. When installing a floating flooring such as vinyl or laminate, we advise installing cabinetry first.

What should I put under my kitchen cabinets?

Here are totally functional—and aesthetically pleasing—under-cabinet storage and organization ideas.
  1. Add a Display Shelf.
  2. Hang a DIY Utensil Rack.
  3. Add a Floating Dish Drainer.
  4. Mount a Wine Rack Underneath.
  5. Add Hooks for Hanging Mugs.
  6. Use Pot Rails to Store Cutting Boards.
  7. …Or to Hang Mugs and Utensils.

What comes first? Flooring or Cabinets?

Can you install cabinets on top of vinyl plank flooring?

Should you install LVP under cabinets? No, you can't put cabinets on top of a floating vinyl floor. Like other types of floating floors, floating vinyl flooring and LVP should not be installed under cabinets.

Do you build cabinets on top of flooring?

In most cases, installing cabinets come first before the flooring. Know that floor covering is the surface you see and walk on, where it is usually cut to size and butt up against the cabinets.

Should kitchen cabinets touch the floor?

However, a good rule of thumb is to have your kitchen wall cabinets be somewhere between 36 and 42 inches from the floor. Wall cabinets should be 18 inches from the floor to avoid obstructing counter space and range hood access.

Do you put flooring under appliances?

By installing flooring underneath your appliances, you'll avoid any gaps or transitions that can be visually unappealing. Protection: Another benefit of installing flooring under appliances is that it provides protection for your subfloor. Over time, appliances can leak or spill, causing damage to the subfloor.

How do I know if my flooring goes under cabinets?

If it doesn't have a quarter round, floor goes under the cabinets, and if it doesn't it is pretty easy to see it doesn't (hence the need for the quarter round). But if you see the quarter round, just assume it doesn't go under. If the kitchen has tile, look at the grout lines.

Does laminate flooring go under kitchen cabinets?

Can I install laminate flooring under cabinets? – This is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners when they are looking for advice from laminate flooring companys near them. You should avoid installing cabinets or any other hardware that should be bolted to the floor on the laminate.

What is best flooring for kitchen?

Since the kitchen is a high-traffic area, you need a durable flooring material that can withstand wear and tear. Consider materials like ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, or hardwood floors that are strong enough to handle foot traffic and heavy furniture.

Why don't you put flooring under cabinets?

A floating wood floor has to be free to expand and contract with seasonal changes in humidity, and it can't do that with heavy cabinets resting on top of it.

Do hardwood floors go under kitchen cabinets?

Traditionally hardwood flooring is more commonly installed prior to the cabinets and sanded and finished as one of the last steps, but with the increasing popularity of prefinished hardwood flooring the risks of damage during installation becomes greater.

Should I mount bottom kitchen cabinets to subfloor or finished floor?

Yes and no. It really depends on your preference, the type of cabinet, and more importantly, on the type of kitchen flooring you have and how it is installed. It isn't necessary to have your kitchen cabinets sit on the subfloor, and it certainly isn't the desired option among contractors.

Do kitchen cabinets sit on floating floor?

NO. Never install cabinets on top of floating flooring. Based on seasonal changes in humidity, the flooring material needs to expand and contract. If that can't happen, the weight of the cabinets can cause the flooring to buckle and damage the flooring's locking systems.

How high should kitchen base cabinets be from the floor?

top of base unit should be 870mm from floor plus 40mm of worktop would normally give a finished height og 910mm. this would then allow the plinths to be fitted without cutting down.

Can cabinets sit on floor?

If you have cabinets that are not properly anchored to the wall, then sitting them on the subfloor could cause them to tip over. However, if your cabinets are securely fastened to the wall and your subfloor is in good condition, then resting them on the floor should be fine.

Do you install laminate flooring before or after the cabinets?

The best way to accommodate your floors, shelving and appliances is to work in this order: Install your cabinetry and shelving space first. Install your flooring. Add your appliances.

Can you install vinyl plank flooring under kitchen cabinets?

If you are installing glue-down vinyl plank flooring, it is okay to install under cabinets. Since the planks will be glued down to the floor, they will not contract and expand with temperature changes.

Do you put tile floor down before cabinets?

Prevents Water Damage

If water gets stuck underneath your cabinetry, it could cause a mold or mildew problem in your grout lines or subfloor. By installing your tile first, you'll be able to catch leaks sooner, as the water won't have a chance to seep between the tile and subfloor.

Should LVP go under dishwasher?

Putting vinyl flooring under your dishwasher is possible but not advisable: this is because of the structure and function of the dishwasher. The dishwasher's function is such that it must use water, and while vinyl flooring is water-resistant, continuous exposure can result in potential leaks.

Do you put laminate flooring under refrigerator?

Yes! Underneath the fridge, stove and dish washer. That way you can pull the stove and fridge out si you can clean behind them. Without a floor the same level under the appliances you cannot slide them out easily.

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