Do You Tile Under Cabinets? If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, you’re undoubtedly wondering if you should tile beneath the cabinets. We investigated this topic closely, and the result may surprise you. There is no industry standard for whether or not to tile under kitchen cabinets. Various variables, including: determine it.
- Floor load: Can the tile floor withstand the weight of cabinets, including countertops?
- With a level floor, you may prevent sloping storage and uneven counters.
- Can you see the floor under the cabinet with a kickboard vs. a freestanding cabinet base?
- Cost: While tiling the whole floor adds square footage (more materials), the work necessary in cutting tiles to fit precisely around cabinets might raise the price.
- If you install the cabinets after that, the risk of ruining a new tile floor rises.
As you can see, there are various aspects to consider when deciding how to handle kitchen flooring and cabinet installation. I hope you understand the answer to your question “Do You Tile Under Cabinets?” is dependent on the factors listed above.
Do You Tile Under Cabinets
It’s up to you if you want to put flooring below your kitchen cabinets. Let’s examine the reasons for and against extending flooring beneath cabinets.
Flooring As A Sturdy Base
To sustain the weight of cabinets, the kitchen floor must be structurally solid (including countertops and built-in appliances). Ensure the flooring material supports the weight without cracking, twisting, or spreading apart to provide a concrete floor.
If you are unsure about the stability of the kitchen floor, speak with a structural engineer. What kind of flooring should go under cabinets is decided by structural engineers.
Flooring As A Level Plane
A level subfloor is necessary for a hard floor, such as tile. It is customary to level the subfloor before putting flooring across the whole kitchen to correct any sag, heave, or slope. Uneven countertops, ugly gaps between counters and cabinets, and uneven tiles may be avoided by leveling the floor.
If you are worried that the subfloor isn’t level because of a significant problem, speak with a structural engineer since it could need expert repair.
Kickboard VS Freestanding Cabinets
How will your project’s final appearance be without flooring? You cannot see the tiling if you install cabinets with a kickboard. However, the flooring is seen if freestanding cabinets are put in.
Cost Of Floor Installation
Since remodeling a kitchen is expensive, you certainly want to find every opportunity to save money. You will need more flooring material in terms of square footage if you want to install flooring below cabinets. The overall cost may go up as a result.
Trimming and placing tile is labor-intensive if you want to complete the floor around cabinets that are already in place. If you employ a professional, tiling around cabinets may be more expensive. Now, Do You Tile Under Cabinets? The answer is up to you?
When To Install Cabinets
When to install the cabinets is not yet specified in any tile industry standards. It seems that many people are concerned about various problems, including deflection and compression. However, a structural expert or kitchen design specialist may analyze and explain these issues in further detail.
Before making final judgments on the kind of tile to be used and how to carry out the installation, their job often includes evaluating the compatibility of the various buildings and the substrate requirements
The timing of tile installation (before or after cabinet installation) and the kind of floor (wood or concrete) won’t matter if appropriate engineering planning and fundamentals are followed. Nevertheless, each strategy has distinct qualities, advantages, and drawbacks. We’ll look at each briefly.
Installing Tiles Before the Cabinets
There are various benefits to installing the tiles before the cabinets. First, because final cuts and sealants are not necessary, the task of the cabinet installation is made easier. There won’t be much trim work if there are fewer details. In addition, you will have more freedom while rebuilding your kitchen since water leaks from kitchen equipment won’t cause significant damage.
However, there will be some mounting considerations if you want to add waterproofing to the installation, particularly if you connect the cabinets to the floor. The final floor will likely be utterly accessible if you install tiles before cabinets, which might make it vulnerable to misuse by others.
Installing Tiles After the Cabinets
The main advantage of this strategy is that it mainly considers the compression element before any tile installation is carried out. This implies that the completed installation will undoubtedly experience some strain.
But one should plan on spending more time on the little things, like the trim work. Additionally, considerable care should be made with this method to guarantee that the built-in appliances have the appropriate clearance.
Determine The Floor Load
It’s crucial to determine if your house, particularly your kitchen, is structurally sound enough to sustain tiles before beginning tiling work. For instance, it’s vital to ascertain if your structure can support the added weight if you want to replace the vinyl floor in your kitchen with tiles and maybe install new worktops.
For instance, granite countertops may add over 600 pounds. You can wind up with damaged property if you neglect to consider such a factor.
How Do I Seal The Gaps Under My Kitchen Cabinets?
Under your kitchen cabinets, if you notice a very tiny gap (less than 1/4″) between the kickboard and the flooring, seal it right away with a thin bead of caulk. Using caulk prevents dust, dirt, and liquids from getting beneath the cabinets even if the space is not very unsightly.
As follows:
- For kitchen usage, choose silicone caulk (wet regions) or latex caulk (dry areas).
- Using a razor-blade scraper, clean the surface and remove any pre-existing calk.
- Mark out the places you wish to keep clear of caulk using painter’s tape around the cabinet and floor surfaces.
- To open the caulk, insert the caulk tube into the cannon and cut the tip at a 45-degree angle.
- As you drag the gun along the gap, lightly push the tube’s tip against the opening at a 45-degree angle to apply the caulk.
- You may smooth the caulk bead by wiping along the gap with a moist cloth (either water for silicone or rubbing alcohol for latex).
- Before the paint fully sets, slowly pull off the painter’s tape.
Can You Install Kitchen Cabinets On A Floating Floor?
By putting interlocking planks on top of the subfloor without using any adhesive or fasteners to secure the flooring material to the subfloor, you may install floating floors. Vinyl, wood, cork, and various tile systems may all be installed with this technique.
Because the subfloor expands and contracts somewhat due to environmental changes like temperature variations and humidity, floating floors need an expansion zone. A basic rule of thumb is to allow 1/4″ of space between floating flooring and vertical walls, protruding piping, and permanent units (hide gaps with trim).
Should I Tile Before Fitting A Kitchen?
Your kitchen may be measured to suit with or without flooring. However, consider that installing tile under cabinets will slightly increase the height of the final counters.
Kitchen cabinets are probably not as durable as a tile floor. You can quickly repair obsolete items in the future without having to build a new floor if you choose to tile below before installing your kitchen.
How Do You Secure A Kitchen Island To Tile?
Place the wooden cleats around the tile, then mark the spots where the holes connect. Pre-drill gaps were indicated in the tile using a masonry bit. Place a plastic lag through the tile’s holes. Place the cleats into the holes, then fasten them with drywall or wood screws.
Do You Install Hardwood Flooring Under Cabinets?
Installing hardwood flooring beneath cabinets has advantages and disadvantages, much like other flooring choices. You probably won’t be replacing the floor anytime soon since hardwood flooring is pricey. Installing the hardwood below the cabinets can make sense if there’s a possibility you’ll be changing your cabinets in the not-too-distant future. In this manner, you may change the cabinets without replacing the floor.
Are Laminate Floors Put Down Under Cabinets?
Avoid installing laminate flooring behind cabinets. It may absorb water like vinyl, so if one of your appliances, like your dishwasher, were to leak, it could be challenging to access the damaged flooring. Nevertheless, some individuals continue to decide to put the flooring beneath the cabinets so that there is no height loss when the floor is put in around them. Make sure the flooring will be cemented down and won’t need to expand or contract if you decide to put it underneath the cabinets.
Conclusion On Do You Tile Under Cabinets
The end outcome will be the same no matter how you choose to approach the building in your kitchen. Before beginning your project, don’t forget to think about its structural, waterproofing, and financial aspects.
Although there are numerous alternatives to choose from, cabinet design affects installation and other factors. Don’t forget that the question ” Do You Tile Under Cabinets” is dependent on different factors.