Remodeling kitchen: Which first, lay tile floor or install wood cabinets?

[MP1983]

It's an old wood frame house that I'm updating, and the kitchen is stripped down to the original subfloor.

I plan on using ceramic tile for flooring, but I know that after 10 or 15 years (or less), some of the tile will crack and eventually it will all need replacing. We plan on keeping the house a long while and it will be a single family rent house. Want to go with ceramic tile to handle spills, etc. and to still look and feel a little better than a floating vinyl floor.

Plan to use some real wood cabinets (no particle board) and I suspect they'll outlast the tile.

Any advise from re-modelers out there would be appreciated. Sort of a "chicken or the egg" question. Which should go down first and why?

Thanks for any helpful tips you guys (or gals) can share.

 

[gunnails]

Cabinets first with tile floors

 

[Watchdog]

Cabinets first...without any shoe molding, of course.

Cabinets...then tile...then molding. 1-2-3.

 

[nachogrande]

I'LL GO DIFFEREN'T

First, after doing my research I found porcelain to be less porous than ceramic. Back to YOUR question, it would depend IF YOU WANT TO lay the tile wall to wall, (under the cabinets) it would be easier if the cabinets weren't there. As opposed to only tiling up to the cabinets. IMO a good quality (hard tile) should give you no life span issues. (in your remaining lifetime) A suggestion, DON'T SCRIMP $$$ on the tile/grout sealer.

 

[gunnails]

I would recommend the use of a epoxy grout or polyurethane grout, no need for sealer with these and resist staining very nicely

 

[nachogrande]

WE LOOKED INTO THIS.

I would recommend the use of a epoxy grout or polyurethane grout, no need for sealer with these and resist staining very nicely

That type of grout cost (US/HERE) 10$ more per bag & only helps the grout. Ask for samples of your tile choices & pour coffee/wine/urine (think dogs/cats) on them & see which stains. (if any) Still think no sealer is needed in notoriously wet kitchen/bathrooms, go for it. Also when deciding on patterns think classic/conservative. If like me you REALLY don't want to do this again in < 10 years because it looks SO 2018.

 

[paulh]

Just make sure you tile under every appliance that rests on the floor. I love the look on the homeowners face when I tell them their range is an inch & 1/2 below the tile and can't be pulled for repair.

 

[Farmer17]

I own a construction company and have built and remodeled many houses over the years and to me it really doesn't matter which goes first there are pros and cons to both methods. Its important to get a tile and grout that won't show dirt, no solid or light colors and sealers don't really help but they can't hurt either. When the tile goes underneath the cabinets it can look a tiny bit better if you have some small and tight areas that are hard for a tile setter to get to. It should also be a little easier, faster, and cheaper since the tile setter doesn't have to cut tile but most won't do it for any less money. You do need to put tape and paper over it in case someone spills paint or something.

 

[gunnails]

That type of grout cost (US/HERE) 10$ more per bag & only helps the grout. Ask for samples of your tile choices & pour coffee/wine/urine (think dogs/cats) on them & see which stains. (if any) Still think no sealer is needed in notoriously wet kitchen/bathrooms, go for it. Also when deciding on patterns think classic/conservative. If like me you REALLY don't want to do this again in < 10 years because it looks SO 2018.

==================================

I think we are talking two different things here, epoxy and polyurethane grouts are 10 times the cost of normal grout and are non porous so they won't take a sealer.

 

[arjay]

Whichever you prefer,but replacing the tile if you’ve installed the cabinets on top of it will be annoying.I wouldn’t use white grout on this floor either

 

[Nightowl]

Well, I'm not a construction professional. But, having some experience with home remodeling, I would do wall to wall. It will be a little more expensive as you are paying for flooring under cabinets and appliances. But, you are not locking in the stove, dish washer and refrigerator, and maybe washer and dryer. My lady has a lanolium floor and wants to replace with ceramic tile. To do so, she would need to tile under the dish washer, refrigerator, and stove, in order not to lock them in. In order to do that, all the cabinets will need to be removed, both lower and upper, to tile under the appliance. Not really a cost effective solution.
You are in the ideal position to prevent future issues.

 

[paulh]

Well, I'm not a construction professional. But, having some experience with home remodeling, I would do wall to wall. It will be a little more expensive as you are paying for flooring under cabinets and appliances. But, you are not locking in the stove, dish washer and refrigerator, and maybe washer and dryer. My lady has a lanolium floor and wants to replace with ceramic tile. To do so, she would need to tile under the dish washer, refrigerator, and stove, in order not to lock them in. In order to do that, all the cabinets will need to be removed, both lower and upper, to tile under the appliance. Not really a cost effective solution.
You are in the ideal position to prevent future issues.

Why? Those appliances aren't restricted by the cabinets

 

[nachogrande]

HAVING THE CHOICE IS GOOD.

Everything is on a cement slab here. How is the wood sub floor now, any wet/mold??? Appliances MAY leak & pipes break, so for ME I like any/all of an edge/peace of mind I can get. In a kitchen or bath I even went with a tile splash vs wood molding. & YES the grout I was talking about had a sealer/anti bacterial in it, & was NOT an epoxy type. Good luck, enjoy the dust.

 

[H Richard]

Just make sure the "finished" floor height is under the cabinets, regardless of which you do first. If not, the dish washer and possibly the stove and refrigerator may not have the clearance to go in and out for replacement or maintenance. Ask my Son-In-Law.

 

[VaTom]

May want to look at a product called Luxury Vinyl Tile by Armstrong. It is laid and grouted in like ceramic tile. Has he feel and look but not cold and not as hard as ceramic. Repairs can be made later easier than ceramic tile. Had it installed two years ago and very pleased with it. Believe it has a 30 year guarantte.

 

[Nightowl]

Why? Those appliances aren't restricted by the cabinets

Wanna bet?

 

[gunnails]

Wanna bet?

==============================

There are lots of ways to do things and I am sure in some situation removing the cabinets to replace the flooring may make sense, what that situation may be is something I have never ran into.

To replace your Ladies vinyl floor, if I was doing it I woul cut out all of the existing particle board the vinyl is glued to and remove that and replace it with concrete composite backer board of 1/2" thickness suitable for installing tile over.

To remove the particle board I would use my Sawsaw to cut the particle board along the toe kicks and where the dishwasher and range stand and leave all the particle board that exist under the cabinets.

 

[arjay]

Make sure to use an appropriate underlayment,fasteners and mastic

 

[paulh]

Wanna bet?

Give me an example

 

[dave1918a2]

I second the Armstrong tiles. If You are putting in bottom and top cabinets with appliances do not forget the counter top thickness. That will determine the height cabinet on top of the floor so that dishwasher will come out. Floor first