Should You Install Flooring or Cabinets First? The Pros and Cons

When embarking on a kitchen remodel, one of the biggest decisions is determining whether to install new flooring or cabinets first. Both approaches have their merits, and there are good arguments on each side of the debate.

There are benefits and drawbacks to both installation orders during a kitchen renovation. Evaluating your goals for the space, future plans, and type of materials can help determine the ideal sequence for your specific project.

Key Considerations When Deciding on Order

Type of Flooring Material

The type of flooring you select for your kitchen can impact whether it should go in before or after cabinet installation. Flooring materials that expand and contract, like hardwood and luxury vinyl plank, often do best when installed before cabinets.

This allows the flooring the space it needs to move naturally without buckling against the fixed cabinet footprint. Leaving expansion space around cabinets helps prevent warping or damage to floors over time.

However, tile flooring is very durable and can be installed either before or after cabinet installation in most cases. The choice comes down more to personal preference and which method provides the ideal finished look.

Future Renovation Plans

If you think you may renovate your kitchen again down the road, installing flooring before cabinets often makes the most sense. While cabinets can potentially stay in place for decades, most homeowners update flooring more frequently over the years.

Having to cut flooring around existing cabinets when replacing floors leads to a lot of wasted material and missing finished flooring in some spots. Putting flooring in first provides more flexibility for future renovations without creating frustrating flooring gaps if cabinet layouts change.

Other Planned Projects

If you have additional major renovation or remodeling plans in other parts of your home, it's often wise to install brand new flooring after everything else is complete. Kitchen remodels involve all sorts of dust and heavy demolition that can damage new flooring.

Painting, installing new appliances, or doing electrical and plumbing work after new floors are in risks scratches, scuffs, and subfloor damage from construction traffic. It's usually best to tackle the messy projects first, then add gorgeous new floors as the finishing touch.

Personal Preference

At the end of the day, whether to start with cabinets or flooring comes down to your personal preferences as a homeowner. If you love the streamlined look of new floors flowing seamlessly under cabinetry, doing flooring first is likely the way to go.

But for those who want to protect new floors at all costs and avoid nicks from cabinet installs, installing cabinets first provides peace of mind. Evaluate which benefits matter most for your particular kitchen vision.

The Benefits of Installing Floors Before Cabinets

More Design Flexibility

One of the biggest perks of putting in new floors before kitchen cabinets is increased design flexibility. New flooring can run seamlessly under the cabinets for a smooth, unified look. The floor flows throughout the entire kitchen, rather than having to work around a fixed cabinet layout.

You also avoid having to cut flooring pieces to fit exactly around each cabinet. The cabinet footprint can be adjusted as needed without impacting the flooring. This flexibility makes it easier to tweak the design plan during the renovation process.

Easier Installation Process

Installing flooring before cabinets also tends to be a simpler process overall. The flooring crew can work quickly and efficiently without having to navigate around existing cabinetry.

Rather than complex cuts around multiple fixed objects, installers can make straight cuts along the walls and edges of the room. Not working around cumbersome cabinets saves time and frustration during installation.

Ideal for Many Flooring Types

Pre-installing floors provides the best results for many popular kitchen flooring options. As mentioned, hardwood needs room to expand and contract properly over seasons, avoiding buckling issues down the road.

Natural stone and tile also look best when run under cabinets for a built-in look. The exceptions are very soft floors like carpet, which do better going in after cabinet installation.

Why Installing Cabinets First Can Be Advantageous

Protects Floors During Remodel

One of the biggest reasons many homeowners opt to install cabinets first is to protect new flooring from inevitable damage during the rest of the renovation.

From dropped tools and paint spills to demolition debris and heavy appliance installations, kitchen remodels involve a huge amount of high-impact work. Brand new floors are very susceptible to scratches, gouges, and scrapes during this intensive construction process.

Putting cabinets in first shields the flooring underneath from damage during the rest of the remodel. New floors stay pristine rather than taking a beating during monthslong renovations.

Potentially Lower Cost

Going with used or lower-cost temporary flooring earlier in the remodel also allows you to save money on pricier finished floors down the line. Once cabinet installation is complete, you can have more affordable vinyl or laminate floors put in.

These budget flooring options take most of the daily wear and tear during the remainder of the renovation. Later on when your budget recovers, you can upgrade to higher-end floors as a finishing touch.

Simplifies the Process

Installing cabinets on top of existing floors can also simplify the installation process in some ways. The cabinet design and footprint is measured and marked based on the dimensions of the current flooring.

The flooring can then be cut to fit within the confines of the cabinet layout on all sides. This can result in cleaner, more defined transitions when flooring meets adjacent rooms.

Key Recommendations for Ordering Flooring and Cabinets

When deciding whether it's best to install flooring or cabinets first during your kitchen remodel, keep these recommendations in mind:

• If you plan to replace floors in the near future, go with cabinets first to avoid wasted flooring from layout changes down the road.
• For extensive whole-home renovations, it often works best to install flooring last to prevent damage during other projects.
• Factor in your flooring material - some types like hardwood require install under cabinets for proper expansion space.
• Evaluate your personal priorities - do you prefer fully integrated floors or protecting new finishes at all costs?

Carefully weighing your flooring type, future plans, and the pros and cons of both approaches will lead you to the best decision for your unique kitchen remodel.

Determining whether to install new floors or cabinetry first during a kitchen overhaul brings up many considerations. While there are great reasons to start with either, taking a close look at the details of your specific project makes it easier to make the call.

Keep in mind that there are good arguments on both sides of the debate. Starting with cabinets allows pristine new floors down the road, while doing flooring first provides greater design freedom. Look at the factors outlined above and decide what resonates most for your home improvement goals, budget and style.

You can choose the ideal sequence for flooring and cabinet installation. This will set your kitchen remodel on course for a smooth process and stunning finished results.