Blog > Should Flooring Be Installed Before Cabinets?

Should Flooring Be Installed Before Cabinets?

July 2, 2026 | By David Oliver | Oliver Flooring

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, one of the most common questions I hear is:

Should the flooring go in before the cabinets, or should the cabinets be installed first?

The answer depends on the type of flooring you’re installing.

Solid Hardwood and Ceramic Tile

For solid hardwood flooring and ceramic or porcelain tile, it’s often best to install the finished floor before the cabinets.

These flooring materials provide a stable surface that allows the cabinetry to be installed directly on top. If you ever change the cabinet layout years later, you’ll also have finished flooring underneath.

Floating Floors

Floating floors—including many laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) products—are different.

Unlike hardwood or tile, floating floors are designed to expand and contract with seasonal humidity changes.

Installing heavy cabinets directly on top of a floating floor can restrict that movement. In some situations, this may contribute to gaps, buckling, or other performance issues.

Heavy stone or granite countertops also add significant weight, making proper support even more important.

There Are Exceptions

Not every floating floor follows the same rules.

Some manufacturers provide specific installation methods that allow flooring beneath cabinets when the flooring is glued down or installed using an approved method.

For example, some luxury vinyl products include manufacturer-approved installation procedures for this situation.

That’s why I always recommend following the flooring manufacturer’s installation instructions rather than assuming every product is the same.

The Bottom Line

As a general rule:

• Solid hardwood: Usually install before cabinets.
• Ceramic or porcelain tile: Usually install before cabinets.
• Floating laminate or floating LVP: Usually install cabinets first, then install the flooring around them.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements, since some products have approved exceptions.

Every home is different, and every flooring product has its own specifications. Getting the installation sequence right helps protect your investment and avoid costly problems later.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the North Carolina High Country or Northeast Tennessee, I’d be happy to help you choose the right installation method for your specific flooring product.