I am a person who loves to keep my house organized and maintain the beauty of my house. I try to change the design of my rooms through transformation.
However, recently, I was bored with my old kitchen design. Actually, I have been bored with the same type of flooring for a long time. So I was wondering how I can change the kitchen floors. At last, I decided to change the kitchen tiles but without removing the cabinet. Can you replace kitchen tile without removing cabinets?
Luckily-
You can definitely replace the kitchen tiles of the tile floors without removing the kitchen cabinets. You need to use the proper tools and carefully perform this process for a fruitful result.
These are not everything about the process because there is a lot that you need to know. Keep reading and know about it.
Table of Contents
Some main facts-
| Estimated Cost | Estimated Duration | Skill Level |
| $1000-$2000 | A few days | Beginner |
Can You Replace Kitchen Tile Without Removing Cabinets?
Well, I am really a subtle-natured person. I love to keep my house clean, neat, tidy, organized, and try different things and looks. I frequently try to give my rooms a different look by changing the color of the room, changing the cabinets and furniture, etc.
Many years ago, I replaced my kitchen’s wood flooring system with ceramic tiles. I filled the floor with tile. But before some months, I noticed that they were looking really old, dull, and damaged. So I decided to replace my kitchen tiles but didn’t want to remove the kitchen cabinets from their place.
But I knew that replacing kitchen floor without removing cabinets can be really challenging for one. However, I replaced the tile floors without removing the kitchen cabinets. It isn’t that hard, actually if you follow the process correctly.
I know you might be wondering, ‘Can you change kitchen tile without removing cabinets?’. Well, you can! You can even keep cabinets installed over laminate flooring and replace the flooring with tiles. But let me tell you something. The process will be really time-consuming, lengthy, and tricky. You will need to use proper flooring materials and proper tools in the right way.
Moreover, you have to perform the entire process very carefully so that you don’t cause any damage to cabinets. You can purchase the new floor tiles from a tile contractor. However, in this case, you can also take the help of flooring professionals. If the cabinets are damaged in this chance, you can repair chipped gloss kitchen cabinets.
How To Replace Kitchen Tile Without Removing Cabinets: The Step-By-Step Guidelines
How do you replace kitchen floor tiles without removing cabinets? Do you know how to do that? No worries, let me help you with this. I am sharing the guidelines I followed to replace the tiles in my kitchen. Here you go;
Step 1: Prepare The Work Area
Start the process by preparing the work area. Clear the kitchen and remove all the objects like tables, chairs, etc from the kitchen. Now, cover the cabinets with drop cloths and use plastic sheets around the edges of the cabinets as a barrier. If you have thermofoil on cabinets, you don’t need to remove thermofoil from cabinets.
Step 2: Measure The Kitchen Area And Get The Tiles Of Your Choice
Firstly, measure the square footage of the kitchen area so that you can understand how much square footage is your kitchen area and the amount of tiles you need. There are many types of tiles available for hardwood floors or normal floors, such as porcelain tiles, blue tiles, ceramic tiles, etc.
Step 3: Gather The Proper Tools And Flooring Materials
You need some tools and materials during this procedure that are very important such as a chisel hammer, grout saw, putty knife, tile adhesive, grout, and tile cutter. Gather these necessary tools and materials before you start the process.
Step 4: Remove The Old Tiles
Can you remove tile without removing cabinets? You definitely can. With the help of a grout saw, carefully remove the grout around the tiles. After removing the grout, use a chisel and hammer lift the tiles gently, and remove them without damaging the cabinets.
Step 5: Clean And Prepare The Surface
However, it is time to remove the existing adhesive or grout from the kitchen floor. Use a putty knife and remove the existing adhesive and grout from the floor. Now, clean the surface and make it smooth and ready for the next step. According to your desired pattern, make a layout for the new tiles. Do not forget to leave enough space for the perimeter joints.
Step 6: Cut The Tiles
Now, according to the layout and square foot of the kitchen area, cut the tiles with a tile cutter. This is a very important step to ensure the proper alignment and to fit the tiles on the floor properly.
Step 7: Install The New Tiles
You are too close to complete the process. Now, apply tile adhesive on the back side of the tiles. Take the tile and place it on the surface according to the layout. Press the tiles gently on the surface. Let the adhesive dry before you move forward to the next step.
Step 8: Apply Grout
Now, mix the grout according to the instructions. Apply the mixture to the tile assembly. Remove the excess grout with the help of a damp sponge. Be careful when you are performing this step. Let the grout dry properly. After the grout dries properly, clean the floor using a damp cloth. Now you are done.
Now that you know, how to replace kitchen floor tiles without removing cabinets, perform the process accordingly and enjoy the best result so far.
What Design Can You Do Without Damaging Cabinets?
Can you do anything with the cabinets without damaging them? Something like transformations? To be honest, you can. You can literally change the form of the entire cabinets and give them a new look. Wondering how you can do that? No need to go anywhere. Let me share what design you can do.
Refinish The Cabinets
You can simply try different colors on the cabinets. You can choose a color that suits your new kitchen tiles and using the same color of finish you can refinish the cabinets.
Replace Hardware
You can change the hardware of the cabinets and try something new such as cabinet knobs, handles, mirrors, etc. You replace them with new hardware and you can replace the halogen under the cabinet with LED lights for a change.
Replace Countertops
If you feel like your countertops of cabinets are looking old and replacing them can be a good thing to do, you can replace the countertops with new modern countertops and enhance the beauty of the kitchen.
There is more to do to design the cabinets without damaging them. It is up to you, which design you wanna choose to design the old cabinets.
Limitations And Potential Challenges Of The Process
Though you can replace the kitchen tiles without removing the kitchen cabinets, there are a few limitations and potential challenges you may face during the procedure. Wanna know about them? Here you go;
| Limitations | Challenges |
| Limited access to the area behind the kitchen cabinets | You may face difficulties in placing the tiles around the cabinets. |
| Possibilities to damage the cabinets while removing the tiles. | One needs to be really focused and careful while removing the tiles. |
| Smaller work area because of existing kitchen cabinets. | You may face issues in moving while performing the procedure. |
| The process is really lengthy and time-consuming. | You need to have patience while replacing the tiles. |
| Difficulties in cutting and installing tiles according to the layout because of the cabinets. | You have to be extra careful while cutting the tiles using a ceramic tile cutter according to the measurements. |
What If Your Cabinets Get Damaged In The Removal Process?
When I told you that I replaced my tile floors without removing the cabinets and damaging them, you might be thinking, How do you update kitchen tiles without removing them? and How did I do that without causing any damage to cabinets?.
Aren’t you thinking about these? However, if you damage the cabinet while replacing the tiles without removing them, what would you do with the damaged cabinets? Let me tell you what to do;
Well, these are the solutions for your damaged kitchen cabinets, if you damage them by any chance. You don’t need to throw away the cabinets until these are beyond repair.
Some Safety Precautions To Prevent Cabinet Damage
I know, it is absolutely normal that when you are changing the tiles of tile floors without removing the kitchen cabinets, the cabinets can get damaged. But is there any solution so that you don’t cause any damage to the cabinets?
To be honest, here are some safety precautions that can help you to prevent cabinet damage and these were really helpful for me while I was changing the kitchen tiles with porcelain tile to change the kitchen design. Such as;
Actually, I took these safety precautions when I was replacing the kitchen tiles and surprisingly I could protect my cabinets from getting damaged throughout the entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does New Flooring Go Under Kitchen Cabinets?
Generally, new flooring doesn’t go under kitchen cabinets.
Can You Change Kitchen Floor Tiles Without Removing Cabinets?
You can obviously change kitchen floor tiles without removing cabinets.
Can This Project Be Completed As A DIY Endeavor?
Obviously, this project can be completed as a DIY endeavor if it is done carefully and accordingly.
Can Professionals Be Hired For This Project?
Professionals can definitely be hired for this project. There are many flooring professionals available and you can hire any of them and get it done.
Conclusion
Can you replace kitchen tile without removing cabinets? I know, you may already know the answer. Basically, you don’t need to remove the base cabinet to install new kitchen tiles to change the kitchen design. You just need to use the right flooring materials and proper tools appropriate for the type of flooring and carefully perform the process to get a fruitful result. If you are unable to do it on your own, you can hire professionals to get the process done.
To learn more things like this, stay with- Restore Journey.
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