Should Cabinets or Flooring Go in First?

 

 

Kitchen remodels are notoriously tricky. There are just so many moving parts, and the space has to be highly functional if you plan on using it regularly. Unfortunately, the timeline doesn’t always make sense to the uninitiated. 

Should Cabinets or Flooring Go in First?

Looking around your kitchen, you may think that your flooring gets installed first. It sits flush up against the cabinets so perfectly that it may very well continue underneath them. The truth is that in most cases it is actually your cabinets that are installed first right on top of your subfloor. 

How It Works

When your flooring is installed, it’s measured to fit right up to the next possible barrier. Depending on the installation schedule that will either be a wall or a cabinet. It can be done both ways, and there are some cases where you may have to place your flooring first. 

However, it is usually best to install flooring second and have it flush up against the bottom of the cabinet, leaving just enough room for baseboard. That’s the best way to protect your sanity and your pocketbook during most kitchen remodels. 

You’ll Save on Flooring

If you install your flooring first, then it will push all the way to the walls of your kitchen. Depending on the size of your home, this could add quite a bit of square footage. Generally speaking, it just doesn’t make sense to spend good money on flooring that will literally never see the light of day once your luxury cabinets are installed. 

If you are worried about covering up the bottom edge of your cabinets, then you can always have plywood risers placed in the area that is going to be covered by cabinetry. This technique will provide a flush surface without the unneeded expense.

The Exceptions

The primary exception would be if you’re working with an uneven subfloor or appliances/cabinets that don’t fit typical dimensions. You might run into these issues if you’re working with an older home or if you’re designing a kitchen for a wheelchair user. 

In such cases, you need to make sure that your flooring and appliance/cabinet heights correspond. The easiest way to do that is to make a flat surface from your flooring to the space underneath the cabinets. Of course, you may also use plywood risers in this case as a more budget-friendly option. 

You may also find that there are some flooring types that aren’t as well-suited to being installed after your cabinets. You will want to check with the flooring manufacturer to be sure you make the right choice for your kitchen. 

The Fun Part

Of course, it makes sense that you’re excited about your new kitchen cabinets. They really do define your kitchen in a way that nothing else does. The good news is that if any of these exceptions apply to you, then you’ll only have to wait two to three days for the flooring to be installed once the work has started. After that, you can start putting in your gorgeous Leicht NYC modern European cabinets. 

Being the last bit of real construction or installation definitely has its perks. Your new cabinetry may need a bit of dusting off after shipping, but at least you won’t have to deal with the dust and dirt of flooring installation. Let’s face it, floors are much easier to clean than cabinets anyway. Before you know it the entire project will be done, and you’ll be free to enjoy the luxury of well-made, fully customizable, European style cabinetry.