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Kitchen Fitting
Is it best to lay a tile floor first then install the kitchen units?
9 Answers from MyBuilder Kitchen Fitters
Best Answer
Kettering • Member since 21 Oct 2009 • 12 jobs, 100% positive feedback
We always tile after.
There is absolutely no benefit in tiling first.
Obviously if you have free standing kitchen units which have decorative legs then you will want the tiling to be seen under the units, but this is no different to making sure you tile below freestanding appliances.
In general, if you are fitting a kitchen with plinths all you need to do is tile up to the legs and into any recess where an appliance fits -easy.
More improtant than this is the setting out of any tiling. This is best acheived after the units are fitted and accurate dimensions can be taken. This way you can ensure equal "cuts" infront of the units so the finished job looks perfect.
In addition, think about the risk of damage to the tiling while fitting the kitchen!
Regards
Holbex Design Ltd.
Answered 18th Sep 2011
High Wycombe • Member since 28 Jun 2010 • 180 jobs, 99% positive feedback
Yes if the tiles cost £20 per metre square to buy. No if it is £80 per metre square as you are potentially fitting hundreds of pounds worth of tiling that will only ever be seen by spiders and the occasional mouse.
Answered 18th Sep 2011
Rayhills Heating and Construction
Petersfield • Member since 26 Aug 2011 • 4 jobs, 100% positive feedback
Tile first would be a proper job. Although not on show it is best to seal entire floor as it will allow easier cleaning and help prevent dust.
Also if there are ever water leaks it will help protect subfloor.
And finally if you ever wanted to make changes to base units you could without having to worry about untiled areas.
Answered 18th Sep 2011
Cheltenham • Member since 29 Oct 2008 • 34 jobs, 100% positive feedback
If the kitchen is already stripped out, I would tile the floor first.
Answered 16th Sep 2011
Bristol • Member since 9 Feb 2011 • 10 jobs, 90% positive feedback
Yes, but after first fix electrics and plumbing have been completed. It will be far easier to level the kitchen units, and is essential to ensure both freestanding and integrated white goods slide with ease.
Answered 16th Sep 2011
Darlington • Member since 16 Sep 2011 • 3 jobs, 100% positive feedback
Tile first always gives a consistant surface and level,it also allows at a later date for changes to be made to the layout if required without having to change the floor and for what it costs to do worth the extra. It also allows for intergrated appliances to be fitted easier and if at any point you decide to revert back to free standing appliances no extra work to be done.
Answered 18th Sep 2011
Bristol • Member since 4 Mar 2011 • 76 jobs, 99% positive feedback
Hi, not really, you can do it that way, but most people just tile up to the kitchen legs and once the plinths are on you won't know the difference.
Answered 16th Sep 2011
rw joinery and building maintenance
Prescot • Member since 10 Nov 2010 • 15 jobs, 100% positive feedback
hi,tiling the floor first is simply your preference,there is no need to tile under units simply because it is not seen.a kitchen should last many years if you decide to change the floor then you have problems having to remove base units to tile under again.also if its a large kitchen there is the added expense of paying for tiles you dont see average cost of floor tiles £25 sq mt.even a small kitchen will add £75 to tile cost if going under units
rob
Answered 18th Sep 2011
Chigwell • Member since 22 Mar 2011 • 68 jobs, 97% positive feedback
Of course that is the proper way.
I've heard somewhere that if you building a tower you must to begin with building a basement and foundations and if that will be made uneven or not properly your tower will collapse or will be as a "curve believe in Pizzi";)
Yes the floor need to be leveled and the best way is to keep the same consistency around a perimeter of a flooring also that will allow you to keep your kitchen clean underneath the furniture where cleaning can be applied by removing covers under furniture.
Some kitchen furniture can be leveled by adjusting a furniture legs simply by screwing down or unscrewing up so let's say a floor "won't must to be level".
I founding a lot of kitchen that a tiling is only coming up to just under furniture and than is covered by wooden part of those.
Yes i do apply such a kind of solution on request of customer but it doesn't mean i like it.
hope it helps
Marek
Answered 16th Sep 2011
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