As a professional in the world of home renovation, I have been asked countless times about the best order in which to complete a renovation project. One of the most common questions is whether floors should be done first or last. The traditional belief is that floors should be left until the end to avoid damage, but with modern protective covers like Ram plates, this may no longer be necessary. So, what's the answer? As with most things in life, it's not a simple one.
Let's dive into the pros and cons of each approach. Firstly, let's address the idea that floors should be done last to protect them from damage. While this may have been true in the past, it's no longer a hard and fast rule. With products like Ram plates, you can safely continue renovating after installing new floors without worrying about causing damage. This means that you can potentially save time and effort by completing other tasks before tackling the floors. However, there are still valid reasons for leaving floors until the end.
For example, if you are planning on installing new cabinets or appliances, it may be easier to do so before laying down new flooring. This way, you can ensure that everything fits perfectly and looks seamless. If you were to install risers under cabinets or appliances after the fact, it may take away from the overall aesthetic of your newly remodeled kitchen. So, what's my professional opinion on the matter? In an ideal scenario, I would recommend completing preparatory work on the walls before installing new flooring. This includes tasks like painting and patching up any holes or imperfections.
Once the floor is in place, you can then finish off with a final paint job as a finishing touch. This approach allows for a smooth and cohesive look without any potential damage to the floors. However, as with most things in the world of renovation, there are exceptions to this rule. If you are planning on increasing the height of your floors, then it's best to tackle this task first. This is because it will affect the placement of cabinets and appliances, and you want to ensure that everything fits perfectly before moving on to other tasks. Now, let's address the specific scenario of a kitchen remodel.
When it comes to deciding whether to start with the floors or cabinets, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It ultimately depends on your specific kitchen layout and renovation plans. To help you make a decision, here are a few possible scenarios to consider:
- If you are planning on keeping your existing cabinets and simply replacing the flooring, then it makes sense to start with the floors. This way, you can easily remove the old flooring and install the new one without having to work around cabinets.
- If you are planning on installing new cabinets and flooring, then it may be best to start with the cabinets.
This way, you can ensure that everything fits perfectly and looks seamless before moving on to the floors.
- If you are planning on increasing the height of your floors, then this should be done first before any other tasks. This will affect the placement of cabinets and appliances, so it's important to get this step right before moving on.
