The question of whether to install cabinets on the finished floor or the subfloor has no clear-cut answer. Ultimately, the number of considerations, such as the following will determine whether your kitchen cabinets should be placed on the subfloor: the kind of flooring you’re putting down. what kind of cabinets you’re going to install.
Typically, a subfloor supports kitchen cabinets. Under your home’s floorboards, there is a layer of wood, plywood, or oriented strand board called the subfloor that serves as a firm foundation for your cabinets, appliances, and other fixtures. Sometimes carpet or another form of flooring covers the subfloor, making it invisible.
Base cabinets are often screwed to the wall studs. As a result, the cabinet can move about freely inside the wall hollow. It is crucial to remember that the base cabinets could potentially harm the walls if the wall studs are not put correctly.
Since they are intended to be erected on top of a concrete slab, kitchen cabinets are placed on subfloors. This makes cleaning and upkeeps simple.
The subfloor additionally gives the cabinet a stable platform. Additionally, it aids in keeping moisture from penetrating the walls. A subfloor must be installed underneath wood floors if you’re installing them. The cabinets can therefore be installed more easily as a result.
Do You Build Kitchen Cabinets From The Top Or Bottom Up?
Installation of kitchen cabinets is not difficult, but it does require some planning and preparation. It’s crucial to measure precisely and cut with care.
Two techniques are typically used to install kitchen cabinets. The installation of cabinets can be done one of two ways: starting from the bottom or installing them top to bottom. In both cases, the wall studs must be cut, and the cabinets must be fastened to the studs. The doors and drawers are inserted once the cabinets are fastened to the walls.
Some of the explanations for placing the cabinet on the top floor are listed below.
- Simple to clean
- Simple cabinet exchanges without causing flooring damage.
- Toe-kick cabinets give a roomier, deeper appearance.
- It is simpler to place tiles or another flooring without regard to the kitchen’s design.
- Mold growth and odors are prevented by providing breathing room (air ventilation) under the cabinets.
Why Not Install Flooring Beneath The Kitchen Cabinets?
The primary purpose of not putting flooring under kitchen cabinets is to let them “float” on the subfloor.
The cost is the major deterrent to installing flooring beneath your kitchen cabinets. If you place your cabinets on the subfloor, you will probably spend less on flooring.
In order to place your flooring last, you might also want to avoid putting flooring underneath your cabinets. There is less chance of damaging your flooring when you install it if the rest of the remodel is completed first.
Additionally, if you’re using vinyl flooring or floating flooring that shouldn’t have anything heavy on top of it, you shouldn’t install flooring under your cabinets.
If kitchen floors were glued or nailed down, they would prevent essential movement and harm the cabinets since they need to be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.
There is absolutely no reason why you cannot install flooring under your kitchen cabinets if the flooring in the room is not a floating floor. The decision thereafter is entirely up to you.
Should Flooring Be Installed Below Kitchen Cabinets?
If you want to install your flooring independently of the cabinet configuration, you should place flooring under your cabinets. If you intend to utilize cabinets with legs and will be able to see underneath the cabinets, that is another incentive to lay flooring under your cabinets.
If your cabinets have a convoluted outline and installing flooring up to the edge will require a lot of intricate and specialist cuts, you might also choose to lay flooring underneath them. Finally, install your cabinets on top of your flooring if you know you’ll eventually replace them but don’t want to change your flooring.
Does Laminate Flooring Go Under Cabinets?
Because installing laminate flooring is so simple, more and more homeowners are starting to try it themselves. It really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the price that tradespeople are now charging for their services.
Additionally, the more household tasks you complete, the more tools you can buy for yourself. To complete the tasks correctly, you must have the required tools.
Under fixed cabinets, laminate flooring shouldn’t be put in place. On top of laminate flooring, floating cabinets such as kitchen islands can be placed. Fixture installation is improper structurally speaking. Installing them over a floating floor is not permitted.
Related Questions
Do you install kitchen cabinets before the floor?
Kitchen cabinets can occasionally be very heavy (and frequently uneven), which puts a lot of strain on certain sections of your floor. This can eventually lead to the floor giving way and breaking. Since your floor is laid last, there is little danger that it will be dented or scratched by construction personnel or storage units.
Does tile flooring go over kitchen cabinets?
Lower labor costs can be achieved by installing your kitchen cabinets first and then your tiles. Your kitchen will be less likely to sustain water damage if your tiles are installed first. If you are laying delicate tiles that could be damaged during cabinetry or appliance installation, cabinets can be fitted first.
Conclusion
Whether you should put your kitchen cabinets on the finished flooring or the subfloor depends on a variety of circumstances. You can choose the option that is best for you by taking into account the type of flooring you’re putting, the style of cabinets you’re utilizing, and your plans.