Install engineered hardwoods before or after cabinets?

9 years ago

We are installing a 1/2" engineered hardwood. The plan was to install the hardwoods first so that we could avoid using any quarter molding (which I don't like the look of) and then install cabinets and base on top of it. Is this a bad idea? Our flooring brand (Hallmark) says it is bad practice in the installation instructions, but says it does not invalidate any sort of warranty. What are your thoughts? I thought it might look funny where the refrigerator is and we have a giant island. We have a galley style kitchen with cabinets on one single wall and a giant island - completely open to the dining room and living space. Pretty much all completely open. Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

Cancork Floor Inc.

9 years ago

The rules of engagement are:

1. If the floor is FLOATING then it must float UP TO the cabinets...but not under them (appliances are the exception)

2. If it is a PERMANENT floor (such as nail/glue/staple/cleat in place hardwood) you are allowed to run the wood underneath everything (wall to wall installation).

3. Even if this is a permanent floor (as in #2) you are welcome to run the floors up to the cabinets if you so desire. It saves as much as 10% of materials in the kitchen.

4. If in doubt (because you have a permanent floor) you can always ask the cabinet installers what they prefer. Some want to work with smooth, flat plywood or concrete (depending on what your substrate is) so that their job is made easier getting the boxes/feet to sit properly. Some couldn't care less (they are so good that they are well equipped to handle an uneven hardwood). And others who couldn't care less because they really don't care. They'll go ahead and damage your hardwoods and not give two hoots about it.

If you put hardwood in first, please make sure you PAY someone to work with Ram Board...which is the brand name for the protective construction paper (literally it is "construction paper") put down over the wood to protect them during all those boots, and nails, and screws and workers, and drywall dust, etc.

And please purchase appliance rails called Glide N Guard. They will save you THOUSANDS of dollars in repairs. They sit underneath your appliance and take all the pressure/damage that would normally occur when you drag the appliances into and out of place....I've seen it. It isn't pretty. Grown men cry when they see the big, white 4ft long drag marks created by the fridge and the stove and the dishwasher. It is very sad.

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Comments (10)

User
9 years ago
I wonder if it will crack under the pressure of the cabinetry and that's why the instructions say not to do it. Or maybe it will not be able to expand and contract like it needs to? Maybe there is a different style of molding that will look better to you.
Lisa G
9 years ago
I would install flooring after cabinets.

My worry about doing that would be if your floor isn't 100% level and flat, the cabinets will still need to be shimmed and it will show. I would also consider what you would do in the event you had a leak and needed to replace flooring -- you'd have to either remove your cabinets or cut around your cabinets.
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PRO
Kenmore Homes
9 years ago
We always install the engineered hardwood prior to the kitchen cabinets getting installed. We have never had any issues with doing so.
PRO
User
9 years ago
It has to do with installation methodology. If it's floating, it goes in after, and the cabinets are shimmed to the finished floor height. If it's nail down or glue down, it is installed before, and the cabinets go over it.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
If you're going to install the floors afterward, make sure you shim the cabinets up the thickness of the floor. Never "tile in" a dishwasher.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 years ago
The reason the maker says they don’t recommend this is that the floor needs to move but if it does not void the warranty I always install flooring before cabinets it is just a cleaner look and the flooring has to under the fridge and DW anyway. I have floating laminate under my cabinets for 10 yrs no problem at all
PRO
Shine Star Hardwood Flooring
9 years ago
Is this floor floating or not? If it is floating, install the cabinets first but you will need 1/4" round. If not, install the floors first.

The reason for this is that floating floors needs room to move as the humidity changes and it expands (which is a natural property of the wood).
housebuilding126
Original Author
9 years ago
It will be nailed down engineered hardwood. NOT floating. So it sounds like most of the consensus is to install it first! And Cancork, we will for sure look into those products! We actually have a MILLION cardboard boxes to unfold and cover the floors with. Is that a bad idea? We planned to tape them all together to completely cover the floor. We will for sure get the appliance glides too!
bt52
2 years ago
My only concern is with future replacements (or repairs) of the floor. Imagine having to lift up all the cabinets, granite countertops, eventually the backsplash.