When to stain new floor in remodeling process

15 years ago

Hello,

We're in the process of a major remodel and part will include a new kitchen. I was wondering when is the best time for staining the new floor - should the floor be installed (without staining), then cabinets installed and walls painted so that the floor isn't ruined (with stain and poly at the end)? Someone on the kitchen forum suggested that if the stain and poly was applied after the cabinets were installed though, that it was likely that stain would get on the cabinets. Obviously, if we completely finished the floor prior to cabinet installation and painting, we'd need to cover the floor extremely well. So...any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks!

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Comments (6)

User
15 years ago
If you install the flooring first and the cabinets after, it makes dollars and sense(pun intended) to use plywood under the main part of the covered cabinet areea---the flooring can be started just inside the cabinet line.

If I were doing that job, I would install just enough ply/flooring to be able to install the cabinets and finish all the rest of the work---leaving the subfloor to walk/work on.

Then, when everything else is done, install the rest of the flooring. The biggest problem with this procedure ihappens now---the sanding. Howevey, there is a sander called U-Sand---it can be rented from rental agencies or Home Depot/Lowe's---that is designed to sand new unfinished flooring. I used one of those on my whole house floor installation---unfinished hard maple. The sander has exceptional dust collection/control. I started out using a dust mask----and wound up tossing it and shutting the windows. It is quite easy to learn to use and does an exceptional job.

Then stain(covering the cabinet toe kicks/etc. is easier than covering the floor.

The finish can then be applied---the MinWax floor poly I used(gloss) needed three applications----no sanding between coats if recoated before twelve hours(and after six) and needed 72 hours of cure to use time.
remodelingguy
15 years ago
Hi!

Are you using 3/4" solid wood on top of an existing plywood sub-floor? Or are you using some other type of hardwood...there are so many out there now that are glue-down, even unfinished. My answer would depend on your answer...and you aren't in a house with a concrete slab, right?
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aubie
Original Author
15 years ago
Handymac - thanks for the advice. We won't be tackling the floors ourselves though or I'm sure we'd have more issues than just a little stain on the cabinets!

Remodelingguy - we'll be using 3/4 in. white oak on top of AdvanTech. No concrete slab - the house has concrete floors in the basement, but the new hardwood floors will be on the main and attic levels. I think we're definitely leaning toward installing floors, putting in cabinets, then finishing/staining floors. Thanks!
User
15 years ago
That info on the sander is good info for many contractors---that machine is still new enough for some folks to not know about it yet. It is better for you, them and the minimized dust.
aubie
Original Author
15 years ago
Handymac - yes, I will definitely be asking the flooring place about the sander. The last thing I want is MORE dust after living with about 3 inches of dust on everything for the last 6 months!
remodelingguy
15 years ago
Sounds like you're already leaning toward what I would suggest. The only difference might be that I would probably consider installing the cabinets before installing the floors and then run the floor up to the cabinet. This saves a lot of flooring material and you can use a small 3/4 round trim at the base of the toe-kick to deal with any gap.

The reason I was asking about thickness was to consider how much toe-kick and overall counter ht. you would lose. If you install standard cabinets on the sub-floor, then install 3/4" flooring, your counters would be at 35" or so vs. 36" or so (depending on thickness of counter material). But for me, based on the experience of doing this many times, I would want total freedom to make adjustments in the cabinet layout right up until the moment they are all done without the cost of putting hardwood under them.

just my two cents....