[SuncoastHS]

So this question came up for debate today and I thought this forum would be a good place to get some opinions. How do you guys install your vanities/ cabinets? On top of the tile floor or on the concrete slab/subfloor and tile up to the toe kick. I’m in Florida so most houses are on concrete slabs. Until I was questioned about it today, we’ve always installed our vanity or kitchen cabinets on the slab then tiled up to the toe kicks. Only time we do it differently is if it’s a bathroom vanity and it has an open toe design like the new modern vanities. I look at it like this, less tile needed if the cabinet goes in first, plus the cabinet gets to sit on solid concrete instead of on tile. What’s your thoughts?

 

[Tinstaafl]

On top of the tile. That way, you have a standard height cover piece, no ripping required, and no fussing with grout up against it. The cost and time involved with the extra tile is inconsequential. And as far as solid concrete vs tile, if the tile is installed properly, there's literally no difference.

 

[avenge]

I never don't tile under the vanity many new vanities are on legs no toe kick. And you're screwed if the vanity needs replacement.

 

[107415]

We tile 100% before any cabinets.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Guess I’m the oddball out.

Id never tile under a vanity. Unless it some of the table type with legs of course.

No slab on grade here. All wood subfloor

Drilling through tile when I don’t have to is just a pain in the ass.

Yes, grouting next to the toe kick is a pain in the ass as well, but I usually use caulk anyway.

 

[tjbnwi]

Finished floor under unless it is a floating floor. Floating floors the cabinets are padded up to match the finished floor height.

Tom

 

[Mr_Stop]

Tile under cabinets for me also. I think it is much faster than having to cut around cabinets. The added material is probably a nominal amount considering you may have a bit more waste if you have to go around a lot of cabinets. In the bathroom, it's such a small space anyway and probably 80% of the cabinets I install are on legs so it's a no-brainier.

 

[Pounder]

I never put finished floor under cabinets unless they're those unbelievably stupid furniture vanity's.
Another trend that can't die fast enough.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Mist be a another of those regional things.

I never installed a vanity on finished floor, nor have I ever seen it done around here.

Ive torn out a bath or two as well, and never found finished floor under them.

 

[Pounder]

I think it's more about how we were taught to build. I was taught that finished floors are generally replaced more often than cabinets, so you don't put the flooring under them. I also don't like working over finished floors if it can be avoided.

 

[rrk]

tile under vanity here, vanities get changed out more often than tile

 

[SuncoastHS]

Thanks for all your feedback. I thought someone would tell me I’ve been doing it wrong all these years but it sounds like it’s about 50/50 for those who do on top of floor versus on slab. I don’t necessarily do it due to cost savings due to less tile, I just felt more comfortable setting the cabinet on a solid surface plus it’s how I was taught. I do tile the complete floor if a free standing / furniture vanity is being installed as you don’t have a choice. Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

[danrush]

If I'm asked to install on the sub floor, (rare on my jobs, usually due to delays in tile materials or labor) I block up the cabinets to finished floor height.

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[Kowboy]

If you don't install cabinets over tile in kitchens, you'd damn well better shim the cabinets to the height of the finished floor. Nothing worse than hillbillies tiling in a dishwasher.

 

[rrk]

You should see the people just about cry when informed their new dishwasher wont fit without removing the countertops or the floor. Pick one
At least with laminate tops we used to unscrew and lift up a bit, not now.

I have only seen 1 flooring guy who installed hardwood in a kitchen over the vinyl floor using screws and plugs just in front of the dishwasher. He made the floor removable just there, and you really could not see the plugs that much. My plumber asked me to remove and reinstall floor with new plugs

 

[VinylHanger]

I've gotten to where I do all my floors under cabinets. Even lvp or lvt. They don't move that much and in bathrooms everyone wants the footed lavs.

Kitchens as well. Easier to get dishwashers in and quicker for me in an open room. Besides, leaving it open just leaves areas where spills can run under.

Also, most of the better vinyl planks and tiles don't move these days.

When the floor needs replaced, that's the other guys problem.


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[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

So all you guys installing tile tile first,

1, do you make sure there is absolutely no lippage whatsoever under the vanity footprint?

2, do you shim the vanity base to get it level, and if so, how do you secure the shims?

3, do you drill the tile to anchor the base, or you just fasten it to the wall?

 

[hdavis]

Screw to the wall and caulk under, if that's how I'm doing it.

 

[hdavis]

Shims if needed.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Oh and one other thing.

Do you plan your tile layout so You don’t have a thin sliver showing?