Installing cabinets on top of a floating LVP floor prevents the natural movement required by the product's locking mechanism. If the floor cannot expand during seasonal humidity changes, the pressure will cause the boards to warp, peak, or split at the joints. Manufacturers generally recommend installing cabinetry first, and then installing the flooring up to the toe kick, leaving a proper expansion gap. If heavy equipment or islands must be placed on the floor, they should be installed as standalone units with appropriate gaps.
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Can I install cabinets on top of floating floors?
Floating floors should not have heavy cabinets or islands installed directly on top of them. These systems require space to expand and contract; pinning the floor down with heavy, immovable fixtures restricts this movement, which often leads to buckling or seam failure.