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.
If the height is met, vinyl and laminate flooring can either come after the cabinets, and be installed right up to the base, or run underneath both the cabinets and the appliances, due to its thin structure.
Putting down the floor before the cabinets makes for clearer sailing now and into the future. Treat the floors under your cabinets like a permanent installation. They should receive the same treatment as the rest of your floor. Just because they won't show doesn't mean you can cut corners.
In our opinion, you are much, much better off laying your floor up to the edges of the units and appliances, rather than trying to install underneath them.
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.
Don't install your laminate on any floor with a drain. Don't install laminate on any uneven subfloor or outdoors. Don't install your laminate over residential carpet. Don't install a second layer of laminate underlayment.
If you are installing click-lock vinyl plank flooring, you should NOT install under cabinets. Since your floor will be floating on the subfloor and connected solely by the locking system, it needs space to expand and contract with temperature changes.
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.
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.
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.
Kitchen Appliances can be put on laminate flooring as long as these appliances do not exert a weight of more than 500 pounds per square foot and the flooring is not in contact with walls and cabinets, allowing it still to be able to expand and contract.
Of course, if you're just now doing a remodel, making serious changes probably won't be on the agenda for a long time. Ultimately, putting the flooring down before installing the base cabinets provides a neat appearance when they're in and makes the chore of installing cabinet quarter rounds unnecessary.
While other types of flooring may not work well under the dishwasher, the case is different with laminate flooring. Laminate floors feature floating flooring that does not attach to the subfloor. It is a suitable option in kitchens with no appliances and ideal under your dishwasher.
We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window). Planks are always installed from left to right.
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.
Some people ask the question, “should I lay the floor or install the kitchen units first then lay the floor around them?” This decision is purely down to personal preference. Laying the floor first would appear to be the best option but you are much more likely to damage the floor whilst the kitchen is being assembled.
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.
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.
Not moisture-proof
Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it's not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn't cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.
If your old floors are in bad shape, any new flooring will help. While solid hardwood flooring would add more value, laminate will give your home the look of hardwood at a much lower cost, will look good for years, and your return on investment should be solid.
In order to preserve and protect the wear layer, make sure any cleaning product you buy or DIY is safe for laminate flooring. Products that are oil-based, acidic or abrasive can damage the surface. Similarly, never polish or wax your floor. Remember, laminate flooring cannot be refinished if it is damaged.