Should You Remove Cabinets Before Flooring?
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in any home, and everything from updating the appliances to large projects like the mammoth task of replacing a kitchen floor takes considerable planning. If you are thinking through the process of how to replace kitchen flooring; doubtless, one of the first things you’ve thought of has been your kitchen cabinets. After all, a cabinet base is going to be one of the most vulnerable parts of your kitchen while accomplishing this task. So here’s the question – should you remove the cabinets before replacing the kitchen floor, or go ahead and leave them?
The simple answer is that you don’t have to remove your kitchen cabinets in order to replace your kitchen floor; however, as stated earlier, there are a lot of factors that play in. Here is everything you need to know about whether or not you need to remove the cabinets before replacing the flooring underneath!
Choosing the Right Kitchen Flooring for the Project
So here’s the deal – yes, you can replace your kitchen floor without removing the cabinets – however, how you dot it and what kind of flooring your choose are going to matter the most.
Evaluating Laminate Flooring, Vinyl, and Tile Options
There is a big difference between tile flooring and laminate flooring; however, the most important aspects are going to be price – and whether or not you plan on installing the flooring or having it installed. Let your budget, as well as your plan to install, be a good guide. If you have the skill necessary to use a wet saw and cut your own tiles, go for it! If you don’t, and you have it in the budget – then still choose that. However, if you find that vinyl is more accessible as an option, this is still a great option, as there are a lot of different styles to choose from.
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Considering Durability, Maintenance, and Style
One of the best ways to understand which material is best for you – is going to be how your budget allows for the highest amount of durability, maintenance, and desired style. Remember, tiles are going to be easier to upkeep than laminate, simply because one will damage less than the other over time.
Things to Consider When Replacing Kitchen Floors
When it comes to the kind of materials you use, especially if you are leaving your kitchen cabinets installed – here are some factors to consider.
Materials and Height
Remember, there is only so much room between the subfloor and the base of the cabinets themselves. Don’t choose a height that doesn’t cover the gap; instead, choose one that adequately will hide it well.
Weight
The weight of your flooring is important, especially depending on the room itself and the foundation. Research the proper codes for what kind of quality the flooring should have for the desired room and location.
Expansion and Contraction
Some materials, like hardwood floors, will naturally expand and contract; being sure to factor this into your choice will keep you from expensive damages later on. This is especially important when it comes to long-term flooring options.
Sealing
Sealing your floors helps to correct naturally porous floors and helps to improve their life span. This can help to reduce wear and tear over time.
How to Replace Kitchen Floor Without Removing Kitchen Cabinets
Okay, so now that we know we can replace the kitchen flooring without removing the cabinets, let’s talk about more specifics you need to be aware of. Here are some of the things you should consider when you replace kitchen flooring without removing the cabinets!
Assess and Measure the Area
First things first, make sure your measurements are your top priority! Whether you are choosing tile flooring, hardwood floors, or ceramic tile flooring, the process of placing your flooring underneath cabinets is all about the correct measurements.
Choose Suitable Flooring Material
One of the most important aspects of replacing your flooring is getting accurate measurements from the wall edges to the dishwasher, cabinets, and everything else that your kitchen entails, but your flooring materials will matter. Flooring materials matter on two levels, the aesthetic choice and quality of life they afford – and the ease of installation. For example, installing vinyl flooring will be drastically different from tiles.
Not just in how the flooring relates to your cabinetry but in your confidence and ability to lay it well. If you are not confident that you can adequately lay down the flooring material you want with a professional appearance, consider hiring contractors. Spending a little extra on the installation may save you in the long run from costly repairs.
Remove Baseboards and Trim
This is an easy step – just remove the baseboards and trim. If you are leaving the cabinets, then fixing your floor around your base cabinets is going to be a big enough challenge, don’t do the same thing with the baseboard and trim. These are not nearly as complicated to remove as cabinetry, and by removing the baseboard and trim, you can ensure your new flooring doesn’t have any unwanted space flushing up against the wall.
Cut Flooring to Fit Around Cabinets
Whether you are using wood laminate flooring or engineered wood flooring, be sure to fit your flooring as closely as you can to the kitchen cabinets. This is the biggest challenge of leaving your cabinets in place when you replace your kitchen floors. Just like the first point about proper measuring, be sure you are taking special attention to this aspect of the process.
Install Underlayment and Moisture Barrier
Installing flooring gives you a special opportunity to place some much-needed improvements, such as underlayment or moisture barriers. Be sure to use this opportunity to improve your subfloor to improve the life span of your flooring!
Lay New Flooring with Proper Expansion Gaps
Expansion gaps are important because, especially if you are using wood floors, because of the natural expansion and contraction of the materials. These expansion gaps can sufficiently help your kitchen design to ensure a long life span for your flooring.
Reinstall Baseboards and Trim
Make sure that you don’t forget to reinstall the baseboards and trim once you have installed your new flooring. This is the last-mile stretch, so don’t get discouraged! Once the new floor is installed, get that trim and baseboard back where it belongs!
When Should You Call for a Professional for Your Flooring Job?
In the end, the option of a professional contractor should always be considered when you feel like you may not have the expertise to adequately and safely install flooring on your own. Remember, it’s better to pay more upfront for long-term investments than to do it and have to fix things later, which can add to more expense.