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We often get asked if vinyl flooring can be installed under cabinets. Well, the answer isn’t cut and dry. The two most common installation types of vinyl plank flooring is Click-Lock or Glue-Down installation. Depending on which you install, you may be able to install under cabinets.
If you are installing click-lock vinyl plank flooring, you should NOT install under cabinets. Since your floor will be floating on the subfloor and connected solely by the locking system, it needs space to expand and contract with temperature changes. If you install heavy cabinetry such as kitchen cabinets on top, it will inhibit the floor from expanding and contracting, and can lead to issues such as buckling and damaged locking systems. As for furniture, it is okay to have furnishings on top of your floor. Invest in felt pads to attach to the bottom of your furnishings so any movements do not damage your vinyl plank flooring.
By installing the flooring after cabinets, it will also be easy to uninstall and re-install if any leaks happen, or a design change is needed.
If you already have click lock vinyl flooring installed and do not want to uninstall in areas where cabinets will go, you can opt for floating cabinets that do not put weight on the floor. These are especially popular in bathrooms and laundry spaces!
If you are installing glue-down vinyl plank flooring, it is okay to install under cabinets. Since the planks will be glued down to the floor, they will not contract and expand with temperature changes. If you are working with an empty space, it is most definitely easier to simply lay the entire surface without complications and later install cabinets such as kitchen cabinetry. As for furniture, it is okay to have furnishings on top of your floor. Invest in felt pads to attach to the bottom of your furnishings so any movements do not damage your vinyl plank flooring.
Are you thinking about installing vinyl in your kitchen? Have more questions? Write them in the comments below and we would love to help you!
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I also am installing a floating floor in my kitchen during the remodeling. Should I put plywood down underneath my new cabinets to even everything out? Should I put plywood underneath my dishwasher or could I put the floating floor? As for the stove and refrigerator, I read that the floating floor should be fine underneath them. Is that true?
Hi Rob, thanks for the question. You can put the floating floor under all of your appliances, except the dishwasher. You shouldn’t need to put additional plywood under the cabinets or appliances – the flooring will frame it.
Hi, great article! I understand that you can’t put a floating vinyl floor under kitchen cabinets, but what about a floating island in the center of the kitchen. What I mean by floating island is that it will be free standing on legs underneath (Ikea leg stands), and not bolted to the floor like a permanent island would be (so it could be moved if needed). Would it be ok to put a floating Island over the floating LVP floors? It will have a Qaurtz counter top if that matters at all.
Hi Shaun, great question. Yes, you can put a floating vinyl under the island. The legs will disburse the weight, so it will not prevent it from floating. Just be sure to add some coasters or felt under the legs to prevent them from denting the surface! Also, be careful when you are moving it on the floor. Use cardboard if you need to slide it over the floor.
Hi Alana, thanks for answering my original question about the floating island. I have a similar question in regards to putting a floating floor under Ikea kitchen cabinets. We are installing an Ikea kitchen. It is my understanding that the cabinets are hung on the wall by a railing system (supports most of the weight), then assisted with adjustable legs in the front of the cabinets to help with level and support. My question is since most of the cabinet weight is hung on the wall by the railing system, do you think I could install a vinyl rigid core (SPC) floor under the cabinets? I also heard the new SPC rigid core vinyl flooring was less susceptible to expanding and contracting, is that true?
Hi Shaun, no problem! With this type of cabinet, installing under it should be fine. I am also assuming there will be space to see under the cabinets, so you will want the flooring to continue under the cabinets. I would recommend putting some felt or disk under the legs just to avoid denting with the legs. And yes, an SPC vinyl is less susceptible to expanding and contracting, but it is still necessary to have the ability to float. Hope this answers everything! Best of luck with your new kitchen!
Hi, I want to tear out a small corner of carpet for a wet bar/kitchenette in my basement. I was thinking I’d put down some kind of sub floor over the concrete to provide some cushion and vapor barrier. Then put a couple kitchen type cabinets on top. Could I use a floating floor/click lock plank around the cabinets in such a small area and have the butt up against a carpeted area? Would a glue down plank be better or can you do a floating floor that meets up to carpet? Thanks.
Hi Mike, thanks for the question. I wouldn’t worry about adding plywood, as you can install an underlayment and then install over top of that. You could use a click lock, but you would need a transition strip between the floating floor and carpet.If you want to do glue down, then you would not need a molding.
If there is supposed to be a gap on the outside edges of the floor so it can expand and contract, how to I install around the cabinets without it looking ugly from a exposed gap?
Hi Garrett, yes you need an expansion gap. Under cabinets, people either use a quarter round or a plastic type molding base.
What type of glue should be used if I wanted to glue down a snap together floating floor, I want to install the floor then install our new Kitchen Cabinets on top, so I don’t want the floor floating
Hi Jeff, thanks for the question. If you glue down your floating floor, you will most likely void your warranty. You could also risk damage with the floor expanding and contracting depending on the type of floor you are installing. If you plan to do a vinyl flooring, you should opt for a glue down vinyl.
I am remodeling a kitchen. The vinyl flooring was replaced a year ago and run up to the cabinets on top of the old vinyl. I now am installing a dishwasher and a refrigerator and need to add flooring. Under the dishwasher should I build that up and install it on level vinyl flooring or should it just be installed in the base flooring? I’m worried about replacing the dishwasher in the future and not being able to remove it without removing countertop.
Hi Janice, great question. I would recommend continuing the same flooring you have beneath the dishwasher and refrigerator. So yes, level the floor and continue installation.
I kniw you said not to put vinyl plank flooring under dishwasher. Why do you suggest not putting the planking under the dishwasher. Plus if we did not put anything under dishwasher and we have to replace dishwasher how would we get it out without taking off countertop.