Do You Install Kitchen Cabinets Before Tile Flooring

Arrange your kitchen before laying down panels for a scratch free floor.

Do you install kitchen cabinets before tile flooring. The finish can be applied after the cabinet installation lessening concerns about marring the floors during the remodel. Many types of floors including click lock hardwood and floating flooring expand due to changes in temperature and humidity. The flooring contractor will not have to work around existing cabinetry so the work can go that much faster. If you install wall to wall flooring the panels may run out of room to expand.

Installing the floors before the cabinets has some advantages. Then install cabinets then the tiles can go down. Typically cabinets come before flooring in most cases given standard flooring heights you will install the cabinets before the floor covering. Shim up base cabinets keeping in mind the underlayment and flooring thickness the base cabinets should be raised up to accommodate the thickness after installation of the floor.

Installing the tile before the cabinetry means the newly installed tile floor will likely be the workbench for the other trades involved in the project as well as being susceptible to abuse and damage. There are a couple quality items to consider when installing the cabinets before flooring. But it works either way. Mark the layout of the cabinets and all floor based appliances.

Install tile under cabinets and floor based appliances with a 2 inset this allows you to move the pattern and grout lines where needed. Installing the tile before the cabinetry means additional square footage for the installer but less detail and trim work. Install plywood in remaining area to exact height of tile floor to finish cabinet install. Install cabinets first to avoid this issue.

Just make sure the durock or tile backer is down first.