Flooring or Kitchen Cabinets First?

Embarking on a home renovation project is an exciting endeavor, but it often comes with the challenge of deciding the order of tasks. When it comes to renovating your space, particularly concerning timber flooring and kitchen cabinets, determining whether to tackle the flooring or cabinets first can impact the overall outcome of your project. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of each approach to help you make an informed decision:

Flooring First:

Pros:

• Visual Continuity: Installing flooring before kitchen cabinets ensures a seamless and cohesive look throughout the space. With the flooring in place, cabinets can be installed directly on top, eliminating unsightly gaps or transitions.
• Ease of Installation: Flooring installation typically requires more precision and may involve heavy equipment. By completing the flooring first, installers have unrestricted access to the entire floor area, making the process smoother and more efficient.

Cons:

• Height Discrepancies: If the flooring thickness differs from the existing floor or subfloor, it may result in height discrepancies between the flooring and cabinets. This may require adjustments to the cabinet height or additional trim work to achieve a seamless transition.
• Temporary Kitchen Setup: Completing flooring first may require temporarily relocating your kitchen setup, which can be inconvenient for homeowners who rely heavily on their kitchen during the renovation process.
• Potential Flooring Damage: Installing flooring before cabinets increases the risk of accidental damage to the newly laid floors during cabinet installation, particularly if heavy items or tools are dropped or dragged across the surface.

Kitchen Cabinets First:

Pros:

• Precise Cabinet Installation: Installing kitchen cabinets before flooring allows for precise alignment and fitting against walls and corners, ensuring a perfect layout without the need for adjustments due to flooring thickness.
• Minimized Interruption: By completing the cabinets first, homeowners can maintain access to their kitchen for daily activities throughout the flooring installation process, minimizing disruption to their routine.
• Flooring Protection: Installing cabinets first provides a protective barrier for the subfloor or existing flooring, preventing potential damage from heavy equipment or spills during subsequent flooring installation.

Cons:

• Limited Flooring Options: Choosing flooring after cabinets are installed may limit your options, as certain flooring materials or installation methods may not be compatible with pre-existing cabinets without significant modifications.

So… which should go in first?

As a general recommendation, cabinets should generally be installed before flooring. That is because floating floors need room for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. Installing cabinetry over flooring planks might restrict movement causing buckling or separation issues in your floor. It is also a good idea to leave the kickboards off your cabinets until the flooring is laid. This allows the flooring to go slightly under the cabinets, creating a neat look.

Hope this helps you make a more informed decision for your kitchen renovation!