Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | Mar 08, 2011 07:29pm | #1

   My suggestion is to make all the decisions for the floor now, and buy all the tiles now, before starting the cabinets.  Depending on how stiff the current floor is, and how large the tile are, you may need to add an additional layer of subfloor to prevent grout cracks.  If I remember right, for I-joists 24" on center with 3/4" subfloor and 12" tile the recommendation I received was an additional 3/4" subfloor followed by 1/2" cement board under the tile.

   I wouldn't recommend trapping the cabinet bases behind a ceramic floor, and ESPECIALLY a dishwasher, as you won't be able to remove the dishwasher, should it be necessary down the road, without taking off the countertop.

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 08, 2011 09:48pm | #2

   His question was designed to give him a way to get the dishwasher out by getting the cabinets tall enough that he could fill the dishwasher space to tile height and still have the necessary height for it to slide in and out. 

   But, as DonStephan suggests, before you can do that you do need to figure out whether you will need additional subfloorings.  The cement board does not count if additional stiffness is needed.  If help is needed on this I suggest going to the John Bridge forum where a lot of tiling experts hang out, AND, are quite willing to answer questions for DIYers.  http://www.johnbridge.com   The tile thickness won't vary a whole lot, but if added subfloor is needed it could be a big difference. I'd also want to ask whether the it makes a difference for the tiling, if the subflooring runs under the cabinetry.  You will need to know the size of the floor joists, how they are spaced, and in particular the span of the joists between structural supports.  In a worst case, you might need to sister additional joist support, which would best be done while plumbing and wiring is in flux with the new cabinet install project. 

2. 
   hammer1 | Mar 11, 2011 10:19pm | #3

   If the cabinets are installed before the floor, the floor is run under the range, dishwasher and refrigerator. There aren't any issues removing the dishwasher if needed. Dishwashers are normally a standard height but have some adjustability on the legs, + - 1/4". Some countertops have an overhanging lip, others, like stone are flat on the bottom. You need to allow the proper space for the dishwasher which is 24" wide, 34" tall for standard sizes. Don't be less than 34" in height, figured from the finished floor to the underneath of the countertop. If it's more, you can always add a filler.