tile floor or island first?

4 years ago

Our builder for our extension has said that we need to put the kitchen and island in first before we tile the floor. I'm concerned that this will not create a neat effect when cutting tiles around the island from the fitter. Does anyone have advice on this or experience of this and also how much have do you pay on average for a tile floor fitter

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PRO

Townhouse Design

4 years ago

We would also recommend having the floor tiles installed first for reasons already mentioned in earlier posts. To reiterate this will ensure the best final finish around end panels and plinth as well as preventing any potential issues with floor mounted appliances such as integrated dishwashers should they need to be repaired in the future. Appliance engineers will not be able to pull out the appliance to make the repair if you tile up to and not under the appliance.

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Comments (10)

Ellie
4 years ago
We fitted our kitchen and island first. The units are on legs so the floor will still be taken underneath a couple inches so you'll still get perfect finish
Sonia
4 years ago
We tiled the whole kitchen floor first then added the kitchen units afterwards. My kitchen is quite small so I don’t have an island. Tile fitters usually charge about £150 - £180 a day, but more in London.
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you've done it basically right, whether you need the 2 internal support panels really depends on the worktop you're having as you could possibly get away with not using them. if you do use the 2 support panels, you'll have to reduce their depth so they're in line with the panels at the end, i'd also cut out a square at the bottom of the 2 support panels so the plinth can run through in one piece instead of 3 bits, i'd also make some 600-602mm strips to go between each panel at the front/top and use a pocket drill jig (google pocket drill jig) to fix so the panels are all fixed together (these would be stepped back 20mm so the door can close) and it gives you something to fix the appliances to. i'd also fit the doors before getting to far as integrated fridges are awkward doors to fit and line up as when the door opens it can catch on the panels at the side and to adjust the door you may need to adjust the legs. the final look should be all the edges of the 4 panels should be flush with the front of the 3 doors. the other thing i can see in the picture is you've put a couple of brackets to fix the end panels to the floor and you'll see them as they wont be behind the plinth. good luck
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arc3d
4 years ago
Both ways are fine. We had our kitchen tiled first then the units.

The neatness of the finish will depend on the skill of your tile fitter.
Daisy England
4 years ago
What you need to consider if you don’t have the floor tiled first is the fact that if you have to pull anything out it may cause a problem. For instance if a washing machine breaks and the engineer needs it pulling out to mend it, if the tiles are up to it and not underneath it you will not pull it out. For that reason I would always say floor first.
Juliet Docherty
4 years ago
Tile first, if you want to remove anything it makes it very difficult if not tiled. Also, if there is a leak it is much better if the whole floor is tiled.
PRO
qudaus living ltd
4 years ago
I would recommend tiling the floor 1st especially if you have end panels on an island which goes to the floor. No matter how good the tiler i believe you will get a better finish with no cuts and excessive grout lines.

By tiling 1st you will also be able to set you island and units out so that the lines follow through.

I also agree with other about the tiles which are required to go beneath f/s appliances (dishwashers, american fridge freezers, wine coolers etc)

I would think a tiler would prefer to tile with no furniture in the way as the job can be carried out much quicker and tidier than if there is a kitchen in the way.

One thing you do have to be mindful of is whether or not you have underfloor heating and if sufficient time has been allowed for the screed to dry. A good tiler will perform a moisture test to ensure correct tolerances are adhered to.
PRO
Townhouse Design
4 years ago
Working in this order will also mean the mess created by tile adhesive and grout is not on your beautiful brand new kitchen.
Angie
4 years ago
Definitely tile first for me. Our current kitchen is only tiled to just under the units so we can’t take out a unit if we want to. When we eventually redo the kitchen the floor will be complete.
PRO
Lifestyle Kitchens
4 years ago
Majority of kitchens in the UK have the tiles go down last as its cheaper, you're only paying for the tiles and labour for the parts you see. But apart from cost there is benefits to both methods.

If you're planning on replacing your kitchen again in the next few years then having it all tiled works best as the floor is complete but even then you may notice a difference in colour due to UV, dirt and wear.

Downsides though is whilst your kitchen is being fitted you have to protect the floor from clumsy tradesmen, all the decor panels that go to the floor, like on the island, base ends and tower ends have to be scribed to the floor then sealed with silicon so there's no moisture damage (fitter may charge more as its extra work and it might not look so great).

If you tile after your tiler may charge for the extra cuts he has to do, but if its a complicated pattern he may be able to set it out better as all the furniture is in the room so it can look its best. Hopefully a decent tiler would clear up as he goes along any way and remove any mess from the units, or covers them up with a dust sheet.

But you may have to get your kitchen fitter back to refit the plinths if he didn't allow for the tiles.

For the appliances any freestanding ones need to also have tiles underneath, so once the tiles go down you might need to get the fitter back to level the appliance (especially washing machines and range cookers). For integrated appliances any decent fitter would allow for the tiles and fix some skids down on the floor (offcuts of laminate worktop etc) so if the appliance need servicing its higher than the tiles and can just slide out.

If you're really worried about the grout lines around the decor panels they can be fitted last and scribed to the floor then sealed so it would look like its tiled all through.

tile floor or island first?

Townhouse Design

Comments (10)

Ellie

Sonia

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arc3d

Daisy England

Juliet Docherty

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Angie

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