Do You Install Cabinets or Flooring First in a Kitchen Remodel?

To make your dream makeover a reality, ticking off the tasks on your kitchen remodel checklist in the right order keeps your project on time, in scope, and on budget. Cabinets and flooring are two of the trickiest installs with the biggest investments. But is it better to install cabinets or flooring first? Read on to find out why it depends. 

Reasons to Install Cabinets First

While it’s more common to install flooring first, sometimes installing cabinets first is a better strategy.

To Save Money

One way to save money when remodeling a kitchen is to install the cabinets before flooring. Otherwise, you’ll pay for the extra flooring under cabinets where no one sees it. 

Sometimes, the extra time and labor costs of cutting around the cabinets make the savings negligible. However, given that the cost to install high-end hardwood flooring can be $13 to $25 per square foot, it’s worth weighing up the savings.

To Protect Floating Flooring

It’s better to install cabinets before floating floors to avoid damage further down the line. Floating floors, which are often made from laminate, vinyl or engineered hardwood, use interlocking tongue-and-groove planks that are not directly attached to the subfloor. 

These kitchen flooring options naturally expand and contract with the seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. When heavy cabinets sit on top of the flooring, it can restrict movement, causing the planks to buckle and warp. This buckling can also cause the cabinets to become misaligned, leading to a wonky appearance and weakened frames.

To Protect Cork Flooring

Retro cork flooring is making a comeback, but it’s best to install this after cabinets. The weight of the cabinets can crush spongy cork, leading to crooked cabinetry. 

To Reduce the Risk of Floor Damage

Installing cabinets first lessens the chance of damaging easy-to-scratch flooring. There’s nothing worse than dropping heavy cabinets onto your newly installed porcelain tile flooring and hearing a loud crack.

To Accommodate Thick Floors

If you are installing thick antique, reclaimed, or customized wood flooring, it’s better to do this after installing your cabinets. Anything bigger than a half-inch thick could create problems when retrofitting appliances, sinks, and countertops, as these might end up misaligned against the height of the cabinets.

Reasons to Install Flooring First

Installing flooring before cabinets makes sense in many scenarios, including those outlined below.

To Create a Clean Aesthetic

Continuous flooring underneath your cabinets and appliances creates a clean, level, seamless aesthetic. It might be the best approach in an open-plan, minimalist, modern kitchen.

To Make Installation Easier

If you are tackling a DIY kitchen remodel, installing flooring before cabinets is usually more straightforward, as you don’t need to cut around cabinets. Everything will be on the same level, so there are no worries about the standard cabinet height not matching the appliances. Plus, you might not need to add finicky-to-install protective trims or fillers to the cabinet bases to achieve a finished look.

Better for Future Cabinet Replacement

There’s a good chance your cabinets will look tired, dated, or damaged before your high-quality hardwood flooring does. Installing your flooring first makes it easier for a cabinet maker near you to replace the cabinets without you having to replace the floor at the same time.

Moisture Protection

Fitting floors first offers additional protection if leaks or spills happen under the sink or down the back of your cabinet. Unless it’s a major leak, it can prevent your subfloor from taking on board moisture, leading to problems with mold or structural damage.