Do Kitchen Cabinets Go on Top of Tile?

Installing new kitchen cabinets can be an exciting project that transforms the look and feel of your kitchen. However, it also requires some careful planning, especially when your kitchen has existing tile that you want to keep. One of the key decisions is determining whether to install the new cabinets on top of the tile or remove the tile first. There are pros and cons to each approach.

An Introduction to Cabinet Installation Over Tile

Installing cabinets over tile is often appealing because it saves the time and expense of demolishing and replacing the tile. However, there are a few factors to consider:

Elevation – Tile adds thickness to the floor, which can raise the base cabinets up higher than desired. This may require adjustments when installing.
Flatness – Tile floors may not be perfectly flat. Cabinets need to sit flush against the floor for proper installation. Any unevenness could cause issues.
Structural support – Tile cannot provide the same sturdy foundation as a subfloor. The cabinets need adequate underlying support.
Leveling issues – It can be tricky adjusting cabinet levels properly on tile. The elevated and potentially uneven surface makes getting everything plumb and aligned more difficult.

With proper prep work and adjustments during installation, it is certainly possible for cabinets to be installed over tile successfully. The key is understanding both the benefits and challenges of this approach before committing to it.

Factors to Consider When Installing Cabinets Over Tile

Installing kitchen cabinets over tile can work, but there are several important factors to keep in mind:

Tile Condition

The tile must be in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or loose tiles that could undermine the cabinet installation.
Any grout lines or uneven tile edges could also cause leveling issues for the cabinets.

Tile Flatness

Tile must be installed on a flat, even subfloor. Any uneven tile surfaces will transfer to the cabinets.
Variations over 1/8” across the floor could cause gaps between cabinets and alignment problems.

Tile Elevation

Tile adds height above the subfloor which raises cabinets up. This needs to be accounted for with fillers/spacers.
Standard cabinet height is 34 1/2”. With 1/4″ tile and thinset, cabinet bottom could be 35” off floor.

Structural Support

A sturdy subfloor under the tile is crucial to support cabinet weight.
Additional bracing and support may be needed underneath cabinets for optimal stability.

Moisture Protection

Proper waterproofing under the tile is important to prevent moisture damage.

Leveling and Alignment

Leveling cabinets on uneven tile can be challenging.
Special levelers, shims, and fillers may be necessary to align and stabilize cabinets.

As long as these factors are properly addressed, installing cabinets over tile can produce nice results. But the process requires extra diligence and effort.

Preparing Existing Tile for Cabinet Installation

If you decide to install kitchen cabinets on top of existing tile, proper prep work is vital for success. Here are some recommended steps:

Inspect tile – Verify all tile is solidly bonded with no cracks, chips, or loose pieces. Any problem areas must be fixed. Also check for lippage (uneven tile edges) which could prevent flush cabinet installation.
Check flatness – Use a long straightedge and level to verify the tile surface is flat. Mark any high or low spots. Tile variations over 1/8” need to be remedied by grinding high spots or building up low areas.
Clean thoroughly – Use a tile & grout cleaner to remove all dirt, grease and residues from the tile. This allows the cabinets to bond properly to the surface. Rinse thoroughly and allow to fully dry.
Skim coat if needed – For very uneven tile, consider applying a skim coat of floor leveler to smooth the surface prior to cabinet installation.
Add support – Depending on cabinet size and weight, it may be advisable to add supplemental bracing under the tile, such as 2×4 runners where base cabinets will be positioned.
Moisture barrier – Make sure there is proper waterproofing under the tile to prevent moisture issues down the road.

With proper prep work, the existing tile can provide a suitable surface for mounting the cabinets securely.

How to Install Cabinets Over Tile

Once the tile is prepped, the cabinet installation process is mostly typical, with a few adjustments:

Begin by measuring and laying out the cabinet plans on the tile, accounting for the added height of the tile.
Mark the cabinet locations and any new plumbing or electrical that needs installing.
Use shims as needed to level and support the cabinets over uneven tile. Hard plastic or composite shims are best.
Anchor the cabinets by screwing through the bottom rails into the subfloor or bracing below the tile. Use extra long screws if needed.
Pre-drill holes to avoid cracking the tile when driving screws. Use washers to distribute screw force.
Fill any gaps between cabinet base and tile with caulk or filler strips.
Attach adjacent cabinets together securely at face frames.
Use fillers and spacers to adjust any height differences between cabinets.
Complete installation by attaching countertops and making final adjustments/trim as needed.

Pros and Cons of Installing Cabinets Over Tile

Deciding whether or not to install kitchen cabinets over existing tile comes down to carefully weighing the pros and cons:

Pros

Saves demolition time and cost by keeping existing tile.
Avoids messy process of removing old tile and thinset mortar.
No delays waiting for new flooring installation prior to cabinets.
Prevents having to match new flooring to existing if unable to do full kitchen.

Cons

Tile floor must be in excellent condition with no cracks, chips or unevenness.
Risk of damaging tile if not cautious during cabinet installation.
Tile may not offer smooth, sturdy base needed for secure cabinet mounting.
Leveling cabinets is more challenging on uneven tile surface.
Elevation of cabinets increases due to tile thickness.
Tile edges and grout lines could show through base cabinets.

Overall, installing over tile can work if the tile is properly prepped and potential height/leveling issues are addressed. But removing tile beforehand provides the most stable, seamless base for cabinet installation.

Can You Install Tile Underneath Cabinets?

Another option is to install new tile flooring first, but only in the exposed areas not covered by cabinets. This allows new tile to be used while saving time/cost by not tiling under the cabinets.

There are a few guidelines to follow:

Leave 6-12 inches of exposed subfloor under where cabinets will be positioned.
Make sure edges where tile stops are straight, level, and square.
Use uncoupling membrane like Ditra at tile edges to prevent cracks from subfloor movement.
Install cabinets on top of the subfloor prior to applying trim tiles.
Use filler strips and caulk for clean transitions from tile to cabinet base.

The key is planning ahead and communicating with the tile installer so the tile layout accommodates the cabinets. Leaving adequate exposed subfloor under the cabinets simplifies installation.

How to Transition Flooring From Tile to Laminate Under Cabinets

Many kitchens have a combination of tile and laminate flooring. Here are some tips for nicely transitioning between the two under your cabinets:

Leave 6-12” of exposed subfloor under cabinet footprint before installing laminate.
Use tile edging trim or metal strips to finish tile edge against subfloor.
Install cabinets securely to subfloor following laminate specifications.
Use caulk or filler strips to close any gaps between cabinet and floors.
Consider using joiners or transitions strips between tile and laminate edges.
Applying color-matched caulk along the seam helps hide transition lines.

With proper planning, you can install cabinets over floors combining both laminate and tile for a seamless look.

Can You Put Wood Flooring Under Kitchen Cabinets?

Wood flooring can also be used under kitchen cabinets instead of leaving an exposed subfloor. Here are some pointers:

Leave enough exposed subfloor under cabinets to install and secure them properly.
Install wood flooring up to the cabinet footprint, leaving the covered area as subfloor.
Use trim pieces or filler strips to provide a smooth transition at flooring edges.
Make sure wood flooring meets kitchen moisture requirements – engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl planks are good options.
Allow proper expansion space for wood flooring at edges and walls.
Use a flexible caulk to fill any small gaps between floor and cabinets.

With proper installation, combining wood flooring only in the exposed parts of a kitchen with cabinets over subfloor can create a seamless look.

How to Install Cabinets Over Uneven Floors

Uneven floors, whether tile or other materials, can certainly complicate cabinet installations. Here are some tips to get good results:

Carefully check floor flatness and mark any high and low spots.
Grind down any high points that could interfere with cabinet installation.
Use floor leveling compounds or self-leveling underlayments to fill low areas.
Add bracing and shims during installation to stabilize and support cabinets over uneven spots.
Use longer screws anchored into subfloor if needed to overcome unevenness.
Adjust adjacent cabinets with fillers and shims until all cabinets are level and plumb.
Caulk gaps between flooring and cabinet bases for a cleaner look.
For extreme cases, consider removing old flooring and starting fresh if feasible.

While installing over uneven floors takes more effort, the results can still look great with a diligent cabinet installation process.

Do’s and Don’ts of Installing Cabinets Over Flooring

Follow these do’s and don’ts when tackling a kitchen cabinet installation over existing floors:

Do:

DO inspect flooring for soundness and flatness before starting.
DO use shims liberally to stabilize and level cabinets.
DO anchor cabinets firmly into subfloor or bracing below floor.
DO leave adequate subfloor exposed under cabinets for best results.
DO use caulk/fillers to neatly finish transitions at flooring edges.

Don’t:

DON’T install cabinets over loose, uneven, or damaged flooring.
DON’T assume flooring will adequately support cabinet’s weight.
DON’T install cabinets unsecured or unsupported over floors.
DON’T use flooring that doesn’t meet kitchen moisture or durability needs.
DON’T leave gaps, ridges or uneven transitions between flooring and cabinets.

FAQs About Installing Kitchen Cabinets Over Flooring

Should I remove old tile before installing new kitchen cabinets?

In most cases, removing the tile beforehand provides the smoothest, most seamless cabinet installation. But leaving tile in good shape can work if prepared properly.

What flooring works best under kitchen cabinets?

Sheet vinyl, LVP planks, and engineered hardwoods hold up well in kitchens. Tile is great for exposed floor areas. Carpet is not recommended under cabinets.

Can I install cabinets over vinyl sheet flooring?

Yes, provided the sheet vinyl is well-bonded, flat, and durable. Clean thoroughly before cabinet installation. Check for moisture below vinyl.

Should I leave space between flooring and cabinets?

It’s best to install cabinets flush against the floor. Leave no gaps, which could lead to spills, food crumbs, and other issues. Caulk any minimal gaps if needed.

How do I anchor cabinets to the floor?

Long wood screws driven through the bottom of cabinet rails/stiles into the subfloor or bracing below is the most secure mounting method.

Conclusion

Installing kitchen cabinets over your existing flooring can be a viable approach if done carefully. With proper prep work to ensure a flat, stable foundation under the cabinets, a quality installation is certainly achievable. Weighing the pros and cons relative to your specific kitchen can help determine if installing over or replacing flooring makes the most sense. With good planning and skillful installation that compensates for any floor imperfections, you can have beautiful new cabinets integrated seamlessly into your kitchen.