|
Resource Center
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!
Contact the Bestlaminate Flooring Experts today! Call us at 1-800-520-0961 or send us a quick message to get expert advice and answers.
We are here to help. Schedule a free consultation with our friendly experts or call us today at 1-800-520-0961.
Can Marmoleum Click floors be installed just under a toekick (but not the entire cabinet). I’d rather not have a gap there.
Hi Natalie, how thick is the toe kick? Will you be using this as your finish with no quarter round? If it is over .25″, then it should cover the gap!
Hello, I am looking to put lvt on top of my ceramic tiles. From your article I learned that I can’t put it below the cabinets.
So…i should just install the cabinets ontop of my ceramic tiles, and after fully installed, install lvt around the cabinets and island?
Lastly, whats my process/sequence here for the following things that need to be done:
1.pendant lights over island, and recess lights in kitchen need to be moved and added
2. Paint
3. Flooring (LVT)
4. Kitchen install
4. Kitchen receptacle needs to be added
PLEASE HELPPPPPP
Kitchen Cabinet Install* (#4)
Kitchen receptacles *#5
Hi Chirag, yes that is correct. You will need to first level the tiles if you have any grout lines, then install the cabinets. I am not in construction, but I think the electrical will want to be done befoer the paint. After, you will want to do all of the paint and wet installations before installing the flooring, then the cabinets, then the flooring.
With the click lock systems, if you don’t fit them up to the walls (under the units), then presumably you leave approx 500/600mm between the last plank and the wall, with an unused edge? If you have kitchen units on both sides of the kitchen, then you have that on both sides on the floor. Does that affect the stability of the floor because neither edge is butted up to the wall?
Hi Steven, thanks for your question. No, this will not affect the stability of the flooring. A floating floor will never fit right up to the walls, as they need an expansion gap. With cabinets, you still need the gap. As long as your flooring isn’t going 30′ or more, the floor will float perfectly fine.
Hi,
Can I put vinyl plank flooring directly over linoleum? And if so, which option is best; click, floating or glued?
Hi Linda, yes you can put it over linoleum as long as it is in good condition and level. I think a floating click lock vinyl will be best for you in this situation!
After reading about not putting vanities on floating vinyl planks what about the toilet
Hi Ed, great question. You’ll want to follow the same advice in this article about laminate: https://www.bestlaminate.com/blog/can-i-install-laminate-flooring-under-a-bathroom-toilet-and-sink/