The sequence of cabinet versus flooring installation is typically determined by the type of flooring. For heavy-duty floors like tile or stone, cabinets are often installed first, and the flooring is butted up to the cabinet base with a finished trim. For floating floors, cabinets are almost always installed first to allow the floor to expand and contract freely underneath the cabinet toe kicks. Installing cabinets first protects the new floor from scratches and impact damage caused by heavy tools and cabinet installation hardware.
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What is the typical sequence for installing cabinets versus flooring?
In most professional residential projects, cabinets are installed before the final flooring. This prevents damage to the new floor during cabinet placement and avoids the need to place heavy cabinets on top of flooring that may need room to expand and contract.