We are building a new house and have come across a disbute between our flooring contractor and our builder. Who is right? Builder says laminate floor should go down before the cabinets ae set and the flooring people say just the opposite. Which one is it and why? Thanks Jane

The builder doesn't know what he's talking about.

Now if it was a permanent floor such as ceramic, it could be done either way. Are you sure you want laminate? Is it loose laid?

Jaz

Jazz, the laminate is our floor of choice because we wanted the wood look, without the wood because our Great Danes have very damaging nails! There is no glue involved if that's what you mean, only the interlocking laminate over the under padding stuff. I guess you're saying the cabinets go in first like the flooring people say, right?

Laminate interlocking floor "floats" on a piece of padding. It can't float, if the cabinets are on top of it.

Besides, how would you replace it?

Absolutely you wouldn't want the cabinets on top of anything like laminate or sheet vinyl or other similar floors, even real hardwood.

I'm not sure what the builder was thinking about? He should know better.

Jaz

Not to over add here but installing cabinets after a new floor is down is not good taking the chance to scratch the floor. Also if a base cabinet needs shimmed or planned the flooring going in later covers that enth of the gap left on shimming.

We normally install all upper cabs then lower cabs. then the luan underlayment for vinyl flooring or hardboard and tile.

As mentioned if you need to re floor in years to come the base cabs should NOT be a part of that finish floor.

A question right up my alley! I work at a local flooring store. Laminate is a floating floor. You can't put it under cabinets because it needs the room for expansion and what not with the weather changes. Our installers will leav about a 1/4" gap or less around all walls or cuppards for that reason. Expansion and contraction. If you put your cuppards on top, this may cause a problem and maybe will even buckle your floor.