Which is typically installed first, floor tile or cabinets?

Question

We are having our kitchen remodeled and are wondering whether they will install the floor tile before the cabinets or after.

Answer 1

If you are used to building custom million dollar homes, you wouldn't use pre-fabricated cabinetry. Every million dollar plus house I have built has had custom cabinets built-in on site, thus, cabinets first. The flooring comes much later when the house has a controllable climate. If you are talking about a remodel, and are installing prefabricated cabinets, I would still install them first. Putting tile under the cabinets is a waste of time and money. And contrary to what was said earlier, if you do the job right, the edges will not break and look ugly.

Answer 2

the tiles should be installed first. This is done so a level floor can be established for the cabinets, they also end up at the proper height. If some time down the road you wish to change you cabinets around you could still do so as there is tile under the cabinet and you would not have to find some years later. Good luck.

Answer 3

I've seen it both ways. The benefit of laying the tile floor first over the entirety of the floor is that if you ever decide to move or change cabinets then you won't be trying to match the tile... or replacing the tile floor simply because you can't. Also, I have seen people tile in the baseboard and then when problems arise later and a cabinet has to be removed, tiles end up broken and damaged. You save money by not tiling under the cabinets, should you decide to do so, at least tile under your island. Many people change or move an island over time.

Answer 4

You just asked the question of the ages.

The correct answer is BOTH. it depends on your preference.

The best way to do it is to tile first and then install cabinets...but this is expensive so most homebuilders install the cabinets first and put the tile up to the cabinet and put a molding at the base to hide the cuts and grout. The problem with this is through time morter cracks and the edge becomes ugly.

Answer 5

I've always thought it ignorant to put in the cabinets first. Nothing but problems after that. What if you want new cabinets in a few years, or you sell it and they... I've had to go in and seal up the inevitable crack around them because that's where the little bugs live, and it's ugly, gets dirty, looks bad. That all goes for baseboards as well. The baseboards should be on top of the tile and the crack beneath the baseboard filled to be flush with the baseboard so as to look continuous. I hate it when I go in to do work on a house, and the baseboard is imbedded in mortar. The wood shrinks away from the grout, and there's that crack again.

Answer 6

cabinets first...then tile.

you wouldnt want the installers to ruin your tile while installing the cabinets would ya?

Answer 7

well it depends if you want your tile under your cabinets. most people put there cabinets in first.

Answer 8

floor tile first.. then cabinets

Answer 9

floor tile

Answer 10

cabinets