New kitchen...do you recommend installing ceramic tile before or after installing the cabinets?

Question

We've looked at the pros and cons that we can think of for both ways, but we're still not sure.

If we install the c. tile first and have it go under the cabinets, that resolves some issues but is such a waste of material (& $). We could also have the c. tile go slightly under the cabinets and fill the rest with plywood underlayment. But if we do this, how do we secured the island to the floor without breaking the tile?

Or we could install the cabinets first and install the c. tile up to them. This would cause a lot of cutting, and it would cause issues with the dishwasher - if we tile under it, then it would be too high for the countertop...but if we don't tile it, it's too hard to install.

Any suggestions or advice would be great. I'd even take opinions as long as there's some basis in understanding of what we're doing.

Thanks! :-)

If the dishwasher is on the c. tile flooring and the cabinets are on the subfloor, the DW would be higher than usual and force the countertop to be raised above the standard cabinet height...more shimming and blocking.

Answer 1

We recently remodeled, and we installed the cabinets first, then laid tile. You touched on some of the reasons why we put the cabinets in first. I didn't see where we encountered much more cutting than otherwise. But, with a power, water-cooled tile cutter, we were able to make cuts without much effort. I felt I could secure cabinets and center island better without having to worry about tile underneath. My dishwasher has adjustable feet which helped in my decision to tile aprx 3 inches beyond the face of the dishwasher. I simply raised the adjustable screws in the front to accomodate the extra height of the tile. The back feet of the dishwasher were lowered a bit to ensure the dishwasher was even. (Replacing our dishwasher anytime in the future won't be a problem since we only have to raise adjust the feet and pull the washer out from underneath the cabinet).
We felt that running the tile slightly under the cabinets and using plywood to maintain an even height was too much trouble and didn't reap any benefits. In fact, having tile under anything besides than the dishwasher and refrigerator (whether only a couple inches or fully ) would create problems and more work later if we decided to change the tile later. I couldn't see tearing out the cabinets, etc to lay new tile.
Also, saving money by not tiling under cabinets was surely a consideration as well.

good luck

Answer 2

Create a cement base of height one to two inches high for the cabinet first. The depth (or width) of the base should be about two inches shorter than the cabinet. Then lay the ceramic tiles. Then built the cabinet with the counter top with regard to the dishwasher's height. Be sure to keep extra tiles for future use, like if you or future owner would want to get rid of the cabinet and base.

Answer 3

I have done it both ways. Doesn't really matter. If you set tile after the cabinets, just make sure to lay it out right. You don't want a little one inch gap between the last tile and the cabinet and decide to just fill it with grout when you don't have grout lines anywhere else. That does not look good.

Answer 4

Most floors whether tile or congoleum, usually are placed after with the congoleum gently rolled under the appliances but up to the cabinets. But recently I heard that people who tile now desire for the entire floor to be tiled first.

I would ask a professional like at Lowe's or Home Depot how to do the "island" and other issues. They have been very helpful to us.

Answer 5

what a dilema! as a contractor, we would normally do the entire floor (for resale purposes, cause buyers dont like to see bare floor where the appliances are) but in your case it will raise them up too far. if you used the plywood underlayment you would have to make sure to secure directly to it not through the tile. are you just adding cabinets because i am having a problem understanding how it would affect the height of the countertop, since it goes on last. my best advice is ask a local contractor who can visually see it for best results. i cant see it so it's hard to say what would work best for you

Answer 6

Being a real estate investor, I think you should tile after everythign is installed. When selling the home, a buyer could be turned off if they see the tile butting up to the outside of the dishwasher, and not under it. Ceramic tile is good and easy to work with, but be careful because unlike stone it can crack.

Answer 7

Spend the extra money and have the floor installed (painting too) before the cabinets. Think down the road if you want to change cabinets or get a different dishwasher. Also if the flooring installer gets grout or thin-set on your cabinetry you won't be happy.

Answer 8

Cabinets first, this way if anything is wrong you won't be cracking the tile.

Answer 9

after

Answer 10

after - cut around the cabinets so that it fits nice and snug and not on top