Do You Install Kitchen Cabinets Before Tile Flooring

There are some that want the tiles down first which is okay but if the floor is out then you end up with gaps and most of the time the builder gc does not plan to put shoe mold around.

Do you install kitchen cabinets before tile flooring.

The flooring contractor will not have to work around existing cabinetry so the work can go that much faster. Typically cabinets come before flooring in most cases given standard flooring heights you will install the cabinets before the floor covering. Then install cabinets then the tiles can go down. Otherwise the cabinet toe kicks and countertop will be short.

Many types of floors including click lock hardwood and floating flooring expand due to changes in temperature and humidity. Install cabinets first to avoid this issue. Installing the floors before the cabinets has some advantages. Mark the layout of the cabinets and all floor based appliances.

If you install wall to wall flooring the panels may run out of room to expand. 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 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. 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 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. The finish can be applied after the cabinet installation lessening concerns about marring the floors during the remodel. Just make sure the durock or tile backer is down first.

Floor covering or finish flooring is the surface that you see and walk on not the subfloor under the underlayment or underlayment between subfloor and finished layer.