How To Nail Wood Floor Under Cabinet

Which comes first – the cabinets or the hardwood flooring?

When it comes to kitchen remodels, many homeowners wonder if it's better to install the cabinets or the hardwood floors first. Generally, it is much better to install the hardwood floors Earlier the kitchen cabinets. There is one exception to this rule (run into below).

Please note that this assumes that y'all are doing a full remodel in the kitchen both replacing the cabinets and the floor at the aforementioned time.  If these are done at separate times due to budget reasons, this may need to be done differently.  Please also not that if cabinets are washed before the floors, information technology may severely limit your flooring options due to summit issues, especially with appliances.  It is best to think the whole procedure through and discuss with both chiffonier and floor contractors, fifty-fifty if y'all will do this in phases. Otherwise, yous may exist very sorry.  I have seen several customers who did not adhere to this, and as a result they could neither practice solid hardwood, nor tile and instead opted for vinyl flooring.

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Why it's meliorate to install the hardwood floors BEFORE the cabinets

one.  Proper heights.  Get-go, information technology's important that the cabinets are the standard 36 inches above the floor and it's important that the appliances are at this same height so that there aren't issues later if/when y'all want to modify the appliances (east.grand. you lot would not want your dishwasher to be trapped underneath the floor and accept to rip upwards portions of the floor to remove information technology.  Of course, an alternative way to achieve summit consistency is to insert plywood underneath the cabinets, but this tin cause other issues, and really doesn't save much money every bit you still need to pay for the plywood and you lot will need to pay more for the labor both in cutting the plywood and finer cuts on the hardwood effectually the cabinets.  (By the way, often when I price out the costs for these two options they come out nearly the aforementioned).

2.  Flexibility to change cabinet footprint later.  Generally the hardwood floors will outlast the cabinets.  Cabinets styles will come and go and they over fourth dimension they demand to be replaced from wearable and tear.  Solid hardwood floors may last for 100+ years.  Certain, the colour preferences may change, but the woods volition ofttimes remain in in that location through many kitchen renovations.  It'south important to accept hardwood throughout the floor so that if you lot alter the pes print of your cabinets, or make up one's mind to move the appliances, you have flexibility with the aforementioned wood flooring throughout the area.  This is also of import if you decide to change the manner of your cabinets later, especially as some show the hardwood underneath.

3.  Cleanest await.  Installing the hardwood floors start will give you the cleanest look with the cabinets.  This mode, you don't need to worry nigh adding quarter round to the cabinets and instead can just accept clean toe kicks that match the cabinets. The hardwood only flows underneath the cabinets.

iv.  Safer on cabinets.  Very importantly, you lot can avert potential nicks or stains to your cabinets that could happen during the demo, install, and/or sanding process for the floors.  If this does happen, you may demand to either supervene upon the chiffonier or just alive with the damage.  You will become a much cleaner look if the floors are done kickoff.  Below, I have recommended a total sequence of events to also account for pocket-size damage that the cabinet contractors may cause on the floors.

Ane counter argument that doesn't hold water – what if you have water damage in your kitchen?

Some people have mentioned that it'due south "safer" to have take plywood underneath the cabinets in case you have a overflowing.  Their supposition is that this may avert needing to rip up the cabinets if you take a flood.  I actually don't buy into this supposition.  Kickoff, if you get water under the cabinets, in that location is plywood there which would absorb the h2o anyway.  2d, if anything, yous are more than susceptible to having issues with the plywood which is untreated vs. the hardwood which is protected with polyurethane.  By the way, if you practice have h2o damage in the kitchen and it's caused by a mechanical issue, this is often covered by homeowner's insurance and/or the warranty on the kitchen appliance.

How to sequence the hardwood floor refinishing with the cabinets

Here'due south the recommended sequence of events for kitchen remodeling when information technology comes to floors/cabinets.  Demo the cabinets, demo the floor, install the hardwood, sand with stain + ii coats of poly, install the cabinets, install the countertops, then, add the 3rd and final glaze of polyurethane.  This volition help take care of minor scratches that may occur during the balance of the kitchen structure.  Of grade the cabinet contractors should be careful, and they should allow for enough drying fourth dimension before walking on the flooring (ideally 4 days) and cover the floors.  This, to me, is the ideal sequence and what I've seen work best while working with many contractors.  And, it is, of course, the order that I had my mom do her kitchen, and I wouldn't steer her wrong.

The one exception – Install floating hardwood floors Afterward the cabinets

If you are installing a hardwood floating floor (or any floating flooring such as cork or laminate), you should install the floor Afterwards the kitchen cabinets are installed.  Floating floors are clicked together and non adhered to the flooring.  You can read more about floating floors hither.  The reason for this is that floating floors motility, and they aggrandize and contract.  If part of the flooring is trapped underneath the heavy cabinets, information technology can not properly motility.  This can cause all sorts of issues including bulging, buckling and breaking.  So, floors that are nailed (or glued) should be installed Before the cabinets and floors that are floated should be washed After the cabinets.

Related questions on timing and sequencing

• Which comes commencement – painting or floors?

Related kitchen flooring articles:

• Kitchen floors: Is hardwood or tile better?
• Real hardwood flooring vs tile planks that look similar hardwood
• Hardwood flooring for kitchens. Does it make sense?
• Kitchen flooring trends for Westchester County
• What types of kitchen floors do new home buyers look for?
• Kitchens with nighttime hardwood flooring
• How to blueprint a kitchen backsplash

For more info, check out my Ebook – Observe the half-dozen Secrets of Refinishing hardwood floors.

Did you find my tips helpful? If so, feel gratis to buy me a coffee and support my weblog

If you alive in Westchester County NY, I offer color consultations to advise customers on paint colors and stain choices. My designer discount at the paint stores usually more than offsets the cost for the hour consultation. Read more here.  Due to many requests, I'm now doing phone consultations, too.

Complementary products that will prolong the life of your hardwood floors

• Bona hardwood floor cleaner
• Felt pads to protect floors
• Office chair mat
• Doggie Socks

Complementary Purchases – Vanities and fixtures

Wayfair.com provides a diversity of article of furniture, vanities, fixtures, pillows and other items that will help you add together the finishing touches to your room.  They ship directly to you and oft have some practiced sales.
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Is it ameliorate to install hardwood floors before or subsequently the kitchen cabinets?

Source: https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/hardwood-floors-installed-cabinets/

Posted by: mcdadewhing1982.blogspot.com

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