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.
As we mentioned before, kitchen floors need to be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, so if they were glued or nailed down, it would impede this necessary movement and cause damage to the cabinets.
Saves Time and Money. Installing flooring under your cabinets can save you time and money in the long run. If you ever need to replace your flooring, having it installed under your cabinets means you won't have to remove your cabinets or appliances to do so.
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.
You may love the look of your hardwood flooring, but it's really not a good idea to put it in your laundry room. Foyer– All manner of things can be tracked in from outside, and the foyer of your home will bear the brunt of all of them. Sand, dirt, mud, water, snow, and more can all damage hardwood.
DON'T install your hardwood floors in rooms with excess moisture. DON'T install your hardwood below grade, such as in the basement. DON'T install hardwood in homes that are not climate controlled year round. The heat and winter extreme temperatures can be harmful.
Pros of Installing Flooring First
This makes it easier to rearrange your space in the future because your flooring will continue throughout the entire room. Proper cabinet and appliance height: Sometimes, an appliance or cabinet may be at an awkward or wrong height which makes it more difficult to use.
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.
Generally speaking, while you can do it, you should avoid putting a floating floor under cabinets. Floating floors are not designed to hold the extra weight of cabinets, and over time they can damage the floor and cause more issues in the long run.
Generally, you should install your flooring in front of your dishwasher and not under it. This is because your dishwasher will require replacement or repair sooner, and this may mean damage to your floor if it is under this unit.
Generally, flooring contractors prefer that the cabinets go in first so that there is less possibility of the floor getting scratched. Cabinet installers like the floor to be in place so that the cutting and dust from the floor installation will not damage the vanity.
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.
Installing engineered timber floors under your cabinets effectively compromise there expansion and could cause them to buckle and cup due to environmental changes in the weather, this will result in serious damage to your timber floors.
Hardwood floor is a beautiful choice for your kitchen, but you have to remember to take care of it. Unlike tile or vinyl flooring, hardwood is more susceptible to damage, especially around water (which there's a lot of in your kitchen). Because of this, there are a few things you have to do to maintain it.
Yes, you should always install flooring under your oven. Just like with your dishwasher and fridge, this will make it much easier to remove your oven if you ever need to do so.
The upper kitchen cabinet should be installed at least 54 inches from the floor to allow for a conventional backsplash. Keep the upper kitchen cabinets within comfortable reach by keeping the base cabinets between 32 and 36 inches high.
Moisture in Spring and Summer
Like any other organic or natural product, wood also absorbs moisture because it is highly porous. If the hardwood flooring installation is done either in the summer or the spring, then your floors might become vulnerable to distortion, as these seasons have the highest humidity levels.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style.
The best times of year are usually the shoulder seasons for installing custom wood floors. The spring and the fall are the most optimal seasons flooring projects. The main reason is the relative humidity levels are around 35%, which is as good as it gets for any project.
Simply put, if your current floors are mostly just looking drab and dull, or if they have surface-level damage, you can probably save them. If they have deeper problems, you may need to replace them.