In a typical kitchen installation, the kitchen floor does not go under the cabinets. The standard practice is to install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to the edges of the cabinet bases. Here's why:
Cabinet Stability: Placing cabinets on top of the finished flooring ensures that they have a stable and level base to rest on. This helps prevent any wobbling or shifting of the cabinets, which could lead to structural issues and difficulty with door and drawer operation.
Flooring Protection: Installing the flooring around the cabinets rather than under them allows for easier replacement or changes to the flooring in the future. If the flooring goes underneath the cabinets and you want to change the flooring later, it would require removing the cabinets, which is a costly and time-consuming process.
Seamless Look: By ending the flooring at the cabinet edges, you create a clean and finished appearance. The toe kick of the cabinets hides the edge of the flooring, resulting in a more polished and aesthetically pleasing transition between the cabinets and the floor.
Material Compatibility: Some flooring materials, such as hardwood or tile, may expand or contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Leaving a small gap between the flooring and the cabinets allows for this movement without causing damage to the cabinets or the floor.
During the installation process, it's crucial to ensure that the cabinets are level and properly anchored to the wall or floor to avoid any future issues. The flooring should be cut neatly around the base of the cabinets, leaving a small gap for expansion, and a baseboard or molding can be added to cover this gap for a finished look.