Tile first or not?

[bake321]

I've looked at his both ways and wondered what you guys think? Should I lay the floor tile first and then install the cabinets or install the cabinets first. I'm leaning toward doing the tile first seeing as it it 18"x18" travertine.

Cary

 

[srossman]

I've looked at his both ways and wondered what you guys think? Should I lay the floor tile first and then install the cabinets or install the cabinets first. I'm leaning toward doing the tile first seeing as it it 18"x18" travertine.

Cary

When I just did my kitchen, the cabinet installers wanted the tile down first then they installed the cabinets on top of the tile. Cleaner look in my opinion also.

-Scot

 

[dave1949]

Tile first will give a cleaner look along the toe kick line. Another advantage is that if you change appliances, especially a dishwasher, there is less worry about where the toe kick meets the floor. If you remodel the kitchen years later, if removes a potential problem of cabinet/appliance placement needing to match where the tile ends.

Dave.

 

[rtimgray]

In our bathrooms, we put the tile in first. I think it is a better looking install, and has the advantage that if you ever change your cabinet footprint, the tile will already be there. The disadvantage would be if you want to change your tile, then you will have your old tile under your cabinets.

I would put the tile down first.

 

[rtimgray]

Me and Dave were typing at the same time (hee-hee). Great minds think alike - and small minds roll in the same rut!

 

[andersonst]

Look at it this way, the "professionals", you know the guys that build new construction houses that new homeowners usually fight with on a daily basis, usually only tile up to the cabinets in both kitchens and bathrooms, the reason for this is to save a buck.
I have tiled my share of bathrooms and kitchens and ALWAYS tile under the cabinets, mostly for all the reasons already mentioned. For me the biggest reason is the way it looks when its complete. It usually requires less cuts and if the floor is realitively flat, you can get away without using any (or very little) moulding to cover up the cut ends, it's a much more professional look. Remember to take into consideration the added hieght, although minimal, that the tile board and tile will add to the countertop (for backsplash, outlets, etc)

 

[roamerr]

Straight squares tile first. Patterns tile last.

 

[bake321]

Thanks for the replys. Looks like i'm on the right track.

 

[Obed]

Cary,
Great question. I hadn't even thought about the order. As we are getting ready to have our cabinets made, the timing of this post is perfect for us. It seems to make sense to install the tile in our bathrooms before the cabinets are installed.

We will have hardwood flooring in the kitchen. The wife informed me that we will install the kitchen cabinets after the hardwood flooring for a cleaner look.

Obed

 

[RTJ49]

Hi 321,
I have installed cabinets, counters, in many, many kitchens, and bathrooms.
I have seen it done both ways. One way is the cheaper way. Yep, the no flooring under the cabinet way. Do the entire floor! Either look can look acceptable/ok. Personally, I do not like the toe kick height shortened. It brings the cabinet bottom/doors to close to the floor. If you decide to change that cabinet layout down the road, you better hope you did the entire floor.

Raymond Jordan
BX 25

 

[mjncad]

I've always seen cabinets first, tile last; but I see the advantages of the other way too.

How about a plywood riser the same footprint as the cabinets and thickness of the tile. That way you get the advantage of tile first, cabinet last installation without going to the expense of tiling portions of the floor that likely will never see the light of day again. Plus if you have redo the floor, or replace a broken tile, you're not having to remove cabinets to blow out tile, or find a way to saw-cut the tile to leave the cabinets in place.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just went thru this with my builder. After discussing the pros and cons of tile under the cabinets, we decided that the cabinets will go in first in the kitchen Tile will be under the diswasher area so there is no lip in front to hang etc when replacing the dishwasher. This was not a cost issue since I bought enough tile to do the whole area, just seemed the best way to do it for less hassle in the future if you need to repair the tile. Not to many folks ever have to rip out the entire cabinet structure and even so, they are all standard sizes so having no tile under them is not an issue at least for me. I would certainly never put hardwood under a cabinet. A small water leak and you would warp the hardwood and then have to rip out the cabinets to get to it.

 

[alchemysa]

I think it depends on the kickboard. 'Cabinet first/tile last' looks good (maybe even looks best) if you have cabinets sitting on a fixed '4 sided' kickboard/base. But if you have cabinets on adjustable legs with a clip-on kickboard then definately tile first.