Laminate flooring under fitted kitchen units?

How do you fit laminate in kitchens when it tells you not to have it fitted under fitted kitchen units. Do you lay it to the kickboard with a expansion gap and put beading around or can you put it under the kickboard slightly?

44 Answers

Adrian painting
0 Reviews
You put it slightly under the kitchen units and then fix the kickboard on top, this is what I will do but other trades they do it to the kickboard and then they put beading around
19th Nov 2022
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Mikes works
0 Reviews
It's really up to the way you want to finish I stop at and place a beading but only attach the beading to the kickboard itself.
14th Dec 2022
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You remove the plinths (kick boards) and lay the flooring to the unit feet. then you rip the plinth down to suit. its never advise to fit under unit legs as the weight pulls the flooring apart in time
25th Nov 2022
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Rustic Workshop
0 Reviews
The kickboards usually sit on top of the laminate which should stop before it gets to the feet of the kitchen carcasses.
17th Nov 2022
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Ferguson decor
0 Reviews
U can put it under the kick board slightly
23rd Nov 2022
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Manni
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
Firstly we will need to put the underlayment in order to help preserve and insulate the floors, dampen noise and protect against moisture. After this we can laminate.
15th Jan 2023
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Hi

Either of those suggestions would work. What they mean is not to put units on top of flooring.

For the best finish, I would say it just under the kick slightly.

Hope this helps
18th Nov 2022
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SJR JOINERY
0 Reviews
In my experience the best way is to remove the kickboard or the plynth, run the flooring under the floor units, then you will need to depending on the thickness of the flooring cut the kickboard before putting it back, also remember to keep the cut side going up the way, this is because the exported chipboard will soak up any water or spillages causing damage over time.
27th Dec 2022
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M & A Builder
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
I wouldn't put beading round it looks stupid or put under units because you need to leave gap for expansion so being tight up against units could cause damage .trim kicker boards a couple of mm above flooring.
22nd Dec 2022
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Top maintenance
0 Reviews
Yes
18th Nov 2022
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Joinery & more
51 Reviews, 100% Positive
Put it under the kickboards and recut the kickboards to fit
28th Nov 2022
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Callum
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
I would always fit the laminate underneath the kickboard and then scribe the kick board to the laminate to create a seamless joint
5th Dec 2022
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With regards to fitting laminate in a kitchen. Remove all kickboards, fit the laminate under the unit behind the kick plates, the expansion gap is then behind the boards. Trim kick plates accordingly and this will save installing beading. If keeping existing skirting then the laminate can be fitted tight against this and sealed with a nice thin bead of clear silicone
26th Jan 2023
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DJs joinery
0 Reviews
You can put it slightly under the kickboard so you have a nice clean edge finish where the kickboard sits on top of the laminate
30th Nov 2022
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Kell int & ext home Maintenance
14 Reviews, 93% Positive
I would lay it to the kick board with an expansion gap but rather than use beading I use a color matched silicone to suit the color of the flooring being fitted so no nails and it can move plus its water proof and wipeable and can be a small bead In height or even floor height level.
8th Dec 2022
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AJ Tiling
0 Reviews
Lay the laminate upto legs leaving expansion to the legs, the fit kickboards on top.
22nd Jan 2023
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Lay the flooring under the kick boards up to just before the worktop feet
27th Jan 2023
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GDW CARPENTRY
0 Reviews
You can put it under the kick board slightly
17th Dec 2022
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All trades
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
You can leave the laminate with the standard depth of expansion gap as the kick boards and clips will
Cover all gaps
3rd Jan 2023
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My view would be to run it up to the legs. Laminate flooring is a floating floor and will have some with the underlay. Base units are better positioned on a solid floor.
How level the sub floor is shouldn't be an issue as each unit will have legs that are individually adjustable, so a run of units can be adjusted to a uniform level.
9th Jan 2023
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Brian Joinery
0 Reviews
Hi, take the plinths off and cut the laminate round the cabinet legs leaving an expansion cap. Once done trim plinths down and lay back on top of the laminate. No beading is required.
29th Aug 2023
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A&A Services
0 Reviews
You can remove kickboard and lay laminate, then install kickboard on top. Trim kickboard if needed
11th Dec 2022
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ADIFITT
0 Reviews
Hello, you should put it just under the kickboard slightly.
7th Feb 2023
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CDM Services
0 Reviews
Under the kickboards for a neater finish. Sometimes the kick boards require trimming down.
22nd Dec 2022
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A.S.W Carpentry
0 Reviews
You can pop the kick board off and cut the flooring to the legs of the units. You may have to cut down the kickbacks afterwards to get them back on
29th Jan 2023
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Bmj contractors
0 Reviews
You can leave it under the kickboard slightly
13th Feb 2023
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Floors & more
0 Reviews
You take the kickboards off and lay slightly short of the legs
10th Jan 2023
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AJs Bespoke Floors
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
You can lay under the kick boards slightly and reapply kick board.
30th Jan 2023
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Houseright
1 Reviews, 100% Positive
Expansion gaps do not have to be all the way around the floor but you do still need them on at least two sides to allow for movement. Regards kick boards just fit underneath a ways and cut down kick boards to fit on top. Job done.
3rd Apr 2023
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Hi, the best thing to do here is to remove the kick boards, get the laminate fitted up to the legs of the kitchen units, leaving expansion, then get the kick-boards trimmed and re fitted. This will give the effect of the laminate being under the kitchen and will be easy to remove should you want to change it again.
13th Apr 2023
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Brian joinery
0 Reviews
Lay the flooring up to the legs leaving the expansion gap though. trim the plinths if need be to leave a neat tidy finish.
22nd Jun 2023
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Elite Joinery
0 Reviews
We would fit it under slightly then place the kick plate on top of it to finish it
5th Aug 2023
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Magnum Builders
0 Reviews
take the kick boards out, you would then put the flooring up to just 10mm before the unit feet, and you may have to cut the kick boards, if the flooring is 10mm thick and the kick boards don't fit anymore then rip 10mm off the tops of the kick boards and fit them back in to cover the edge of flooring without the need for beading. If you use beading and you ever need to remove kick plates for a plumber to gain access, you mostly likely will damage the beads.
5th Apr 2023
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Surrey floors
0 Reviews
Yes easily done, remove kkckboards and plane them down
11th Oct 2023
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As long as you use aqua protect products such as many in the eggar ranges
24th Oct 2023
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Purdys Flooring
0 Reviews
When fitting any flooring in a kitchen always fit under the units to the legs only. The kickboards can be trimmed afterwards to give a precise and neat finish. Should you wish, use a clear sealant to avoid any spillages going under.
22nd Jan 2024
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You can re move the kick boards/ plinths
And lay the floor just short of the feet and then cut the kick boards/ plinth in height to suit the gap between the floor and underside of the kitchen units
4th Dec 2023
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MP Carpentry
0 Reviews
I generally go up as far as the unit legs, stopping about 5mm shy to allow for expansion. The kickboard/plinth would cover that gap regardless. Therefore no beading would be necessary.
4th Dec 2023
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ttcarpentry
0 Reviews
Run the laminate boards under the kick-boards just don’t have the laminate flooring under the legs of the kitchen cabinets
8th Jan 2024
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Under the kick boards
17th Jan 2024
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Garrett Joinery
0 Reviews
In most kitchens it is best to go under the kickboards up to the units adjustable legs this is how I have been taught to do it on many occasions
7th Feb 2024
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Larryrile
0 Reviews
Under the kick boated and trim the kickboard if required

But read the laminate spec carefully, a lot is not suited to kitchen that may get wet
9th May 2024
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AJP flooring
0 Reviews
Hi yes you can put the laminate under the kickboards all the way round.The kickboards will more than likely need trimming down to the new gap size.
Personally I like to go under if poss as the kickers sit nice and seamlessly on top of the laminate with no need for beading,as beading the kickboards sometimes causes the boards to kick back a bit when pinned in place.
1st Jul 2024
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When installing laminate flooring in a kitchen, the general advice is to avoid fitting it under fitted kitchen units due to potential expansion and contraction. Here’s how you can handle this situation:

Leave an Expansion Gap: Lay the laminate flooring up to the kickboards or the base of the kitchen units, ensuring you leave an expansion gap along the edges. This gap allows the laminate to expand and contract without causing damage.
Use Beading or Scotia: Cover the expansion gap with beading or scotia molding. This trim will cover the gap and provide a neat finish while accommodating the necessary expansion.
Avoid Fitting Under Units: Ideally, avoid fitting laminate under the kitchen units. This approach ensures the flooring can expand and contract freely and makes future removal or replacement easier.
Handle Expansion Issues: If you must fit the laminate under the kickboards, ensure you leave sufficient space around the perimeter for expansion. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for expansion gaps to prevent issues later.
6th Sep 2024
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