Tile: Tile flooring should go under the kitchen cabinets, and should be treated the same as hardwood, depending on the finished cabinet height.
While some types of flooring, such as vinyl and tile, can be installed under cabinets without issue, other types of flooring, such as hardwood or engineered wood, may not be recommended for this installation method.
Verdict. There are pros and cons to each installation order. That said, it is standard for the cabinet to go before the flooring, except under special circumstances as mentioned above.
A quick search online brings up a lot of debate on the issue, but no clear answers, so let us simplify for you: 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Most contractors will recommend that you install floating floors after your cabinets are installed. Floating floors must be able to expand and contract, with changes in humidity, within the environment of your home. They are not able to do this with heavy cabinets on top of them.
Kitchen cabinets are not always attached to the kitchen floor and most of the time, do not sit directly on the subfloor. This ensures that needed movement is given to the flooring material and the standard height of floor to counters is reached for accepted accessibility.
YES. It works well for new construction projects which require installing the flooring first. Show caution when installing cabinets over the new flooring. Avoid dropping tools or equipment.
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.
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.
Always install the tile to the wall, under appliances, and cabinets. Good flooring could be in place for 20 years or more. In that time there could be water leaks, appliance failures cabinet damage that requires replacement, electrical problems that require cabinets to be moved, etc...
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.
You should avoid installing cabinets or any other hardware that should be bolted to the floor on the laminate. Installing hardware on top of your flooring will cause pressure, preventing it from expanding or contracting as the temperature changes.
On average, laminate flooring will hold up to 500 pounds. Since most home appliances and furniture are below this weight, laminate is generally safe for any household setup.
Vinyl has come a long way when it comes to style choices in recent years, though. You can find vinyl flooring that realistically mimics not only the look but also the feel of stone, tile, and even wood floors. Vinyl also has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate.
It's also important to avoid dropping heavy objects or dragging sharp or heavy items across the laminate flooring, as this can cause scratches or dents. With proper care and maintenance, laminate flooring can provide a durable and long-lasting surface for your home.