Are you considering a complete kitchen renovation? Are you thinking of changing the flooring as well as the cabinets and appliances? If you are interested in a complete kitchen overhaul, one question will put you in dilemma: Should I install hardwood flooring first or kitchen cabinets?

Harwood Flooring or Kitchen Cabinets: Is there a Solution?

The answer to the question depends on your situation. If you are undertaking a massive makeover in the kitchen, it is best to install hardwood flooring before fitting the kitchen cabinets. Take a look at the list of compelling reasons that will help you to solve the dilemma of hardwood flooring vs. cabinets:

· The Benefit of Flexibility

Usually, hardwood flooring will last longer than the kitchen cabinets. Also, you may be tempted to change the layout of the kitchen and make changes to the cabinet footprint. If you have such flooring across the kitchen floor, you will be able to change the placement of cabinets as well as appliances easily.

· The Height Issue

When you install kitchen cabinets and appliances on the sub-floor first, you can end up getting the height of cabinets wrong. You will then have to insert plywood risers below the cabinets to get the height right. Instead of spending time and labor on plywood, why not install the hardwood flooring first?

· The Perfect Finish

If you install the cabinets first, they may suffer damage during the installation of the hardwood flooring. And, you certainly do not want stained or nicked cabinets. Also, you will have to cut the flooring to fit the cabinets properly. It will add to your expense. When you want a clean-looking kitchen, it is best to go with the flooring first.

When should you install the Kitchen Cabinets first?

If you are interested in floating hardwood flooring, it is best to install the kitchen cabinets first. The reason behind it is simple. Floating floor expands and contracts according to the changes in temperature. And, if there is a heavy cabinet on the surface of the floating floor, it will not have any opportunity to expand. It will result in breaking of wood.

If you are going to replace the hardwood flooring in the near future, it is best to install the kitchen cabinets first. It will ensure that you do not have to remove the cabinets while making changes to the flooring.

There is no clear answer to the question. It depends on your situation and your budget. So, when it comes to making a decision, list down your requirements. Are you going with floating hardwood flooring? Will you be changing the appliances in the near future? Do you want to change the cabinet footprint? Consider all the factors before choosing the option that suits you the best.

The Home Improvement Group will help you install kitchen cabinets quickly. We ensure zero damage to flooring and other aspects of the kitchen. Hire us for best kitchen renovation services in Toronto.

Stock, or store cabinets, are what you see if you go to a large home improvement store. Each store will typically have a very basic, unfinished cabinet line that is stocked in store and ready to purchase and take home that day. These are usually your cheapest option, but selections are very limited. Most of the time these will need to be finished either by you or by a contractor. Don’t expect anything spectacular, these are usually cabinets in their most basic form. Drawer fronts are typically made from glued up strips of wood instead of one single piece of wood. Doors are usually paneled doors instead of raised wood panel doors. The carcasses of the cabinets will typically be cut from particle board, and if there is a back panel it is usually 1/8″ hard-board. Countertop fastening brackets will be small, plastic corner brackets with a single screw hole for attaching to the counter.

Typically, stocked cabinets are offered in extremely limited sizes, and while most cabinets are offered in 3″ increments, some stock cabinets may only be available in 6″ increments. This is important when it comes to the overall layout of your kitchen remodel, because stock cabinets are mass-produced to the same size and specifications with no regards as to where they go. You will usually need fillers and end panels to create a finished look when using stock cabinets. The end of each cabinet that is exposed, on both the upper and the base cabinets, will need to be finished to match the front of the cabinets. This will include cutting and fitting finished panels onto the cabinet carcass itself. Keep in mind that if you are running your cabinets wall to wall, then finishing the ends is not important since the wall will hide the ends.

Special Order Cabinets

The upgrade from store cabinets would be ordering them from your local home improvement store or local lumberyard. Quality will be much noticeably higher than stock cabinets, but your options are still somewhat limited as to what you can order. Expect to see laminated interiors in either white or maple color, solid wood drawers and doors, and upgrades such as soft close hinges or soft close drawer slides. These cabinets will come finished and ready to install. Typically, these will be offered in all 3″ increments, usually ranging from 12 inches wide to 36 or even 48 inches wide. Doors and drawer fronts may be somewhat customizable in terms of styles and colors, but options are still limited. Still expect 1/2″ thick carcasses (the box part of the cabinets) and 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick cabinet backs.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi custom cabinets are usually offered by specialty shops which deal a specific line of cabinets, but don’t make them themselves. The customer will be able to choose the color, finish, style of doors and drawers, as well as many upgrades such as ball bearing slides and soft close hinges. The dealer will work with you and will also include any fillers or other pieces that might be needed to properly install the cabinets. Although you can often choose your own colors, etc, the dealer will have limited options because they can offer only what their supplier offers. A semi-custom cabinet dealer will usually be able to offer installation of the cabinets as well and combine it into one lump sum for you.

Custom Cabinets

Custom Cabinets will almost always be the best quality cabinets that you can find. The cabinet company will usually visit your kitchen or bathroom and take field measurements themselves, and together with you, will design a functional layout for your project. In terms of quality, the cabinetmaker has to make each unit individually, so quality will be very high. Cabinet carcasses will typically be made out of 5/8″ or 3/4″ material, whether it’s a laminate material for ease of cleaning, or a hardwood plywood, it will be substantially stronger than particle board or medium density fiber-board. For cabinet backs you will typically see 1/2″ thick material, with thicker areas specifically manufactured for mounting screws. The tops will always incorporate a countertop fastening strip at the front and rear of base cabinets, which you won’t see in stock cabinets. As far as design and aesthetics go, the only limitations are your imagination and budget. Almost anything is possible because your cabinets will be made specifically just for you. You have complete access to options such as pull-out slides, trash organizers, limitless hardware choices, pantry organizers, and much more. The cabinetmaker will often install these cabinets themselves too, saving you the headache of doing it yourself. While obviously more expensive, you can design and get exactly what you want, instead of settling for what you can find.