When renovating a kitchen or bathroom, many homeowners are faced with the question: Should you install cabinets on top of a floating floor? Floating floors, which include popular options like laminate, vinyl planks, and engineered hardwood, are designed to "float" above the subfloor without being nailed or glued down. They expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, making them a versatile and easy-to-install option for many homes. However, when it comes to placing heavy items like cabinets on top of these floors, the decision becomes more complicated. Understanding the potential risks and benefits of installing cabinets on a floating floor is crucial to ensuring that your renovation project goes smoothly and lasts for years.
What is a Floating Floor?
Before diving into the considerations for installing cabinets, it's essential to understand what a floating floor is. Unlike traditional flooring that is directly attached to the subfloor with nails or adhesives, floating floors are designed to interlock and sit on top of an underlayment. This allows the floor to shift slightly as it expands and contracts due to temperature and humidity changes.
Floating floors are popular because they are easy to install and can be placed over a variety of subfloor types, including concrete and old flooring. They also offer a certain amount of flexibility, which makes them a good choice for areas where the subfloor may be uneven. However, this same flexibility can create issues when it comes to placing heavy, immovable objects like cabinets on top of them.
The Potential Risks of Installing Cabinets on a Floating Floor
One of the main risks associated with installing cabinets on top of a floating floor is that the weight of the cabinets can prevent the floor from expanding and contracting as it needs to. Floating floors rely on their ability to move freely to accommodate changes in temperature and humidity. When heavy cabinets are installed on top of the flooring, the floor may become trapped, leading to buckling, warping, or gaps between the floorboards.
If the floating floor is unable to expand and contract properly, it can lead to serious damage over time. The weight of the cabinets may cause the floor to push up against the walls or other immovable objects, creating pressure that results in the floor buckling. In addition, if the floor cannot contract when temperatures drop, it may develop gaps between the planks, leading to an uneven surface and a less attractive appearance.
Alternatives to Installing Cabinets on a Floating Floor
To avoid the risks associated with installing cabinets on top of a floating floor, many contractors and flooring experts recommend installing the cabinets first and then laying the floating floor around them. This approach allows the floor to expand and contract as intended while ensuring that the cabinets remain stable and securely anchored to the subfloor.
By installing the cabinets first, you can create a gap around the perimeter of the room where the floating floor can move freely. This gap is typically covered with baseboards or quarter-round trim, which conceals the expansion space while allowing the floor to function properly. This method also prevents the cabinets from sitting directly on the floating floor, reducing the risk of buckling or damage.
Another alternative is to install a more rigid type of flooring under the cabinets, such as plywood or concrete backer board, before installing the floating floor around the cabinets. This approach provides the cabinets with a stable base while still allowing the rest of the room to benefit from the aesthetic and functional advantages of a floating floor.
When It’s Okay to Install Cabinets on a Floating Floor
In some cases, it may be possible to install cabinets on top of a floating floor, but this largely depends on the type of floating floor you’re using and the weight of the cabinets. For example, some high-quality engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank floors may be able to handle the weight of cabinets without causing significant issues. If you’re considering this option, it’s essential to consult with a flooring professional to ensure that the floor can handle the weight and still expand and contract as needed.
Additionally, if the cabinets are not overly heavy or do not cover a large area, you may be able to install them on top of the floating floor without causing damage. However, this approach carries some risk, and it’s important to monitor the floor closely over time to ensure that no buckling or gaps develop.
Conclusion: Weighing the Pros and Cons
When deciding whether to install cabinets on top of a floating floor, it’s essential to consider both the potential risks and the alternatives. While floating floors offer many advantages in terms of ease of installation and flexibility, they are not always the best choice when it comes to supporting heavy, immovable objects like cabinets. By installing the cabinets first and laying the floating floor around them, you can ensure that both the floor and the cabinets remain in good condition over time.
For homeowners who are uncertain about the best approach for their renovation project, consulting with professionals is always a wise decision. Just as you would trust All County Roofing serving Brush Prairie, for expert advice on roofing, working with experienced contractors or flooring specialists can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your new cabinets and floor are installed correctly. Ultimately, making an informed decision about how to handle cabinets and floating floors will help protect your investment and create a beautiful, functional space that lasts for years to come.
