We just purchased a bunch of cabinets for installation of a bar / kitchenette in the basement. There are 4 wall cabinets and four base cabinets. These are going to be installed on the existing hardwood floating floor, which are sitting on top of a pad and then concrete.
The wall cabinets I can do, I have installed many in the past. But what is the best way to install the base cabinets? Since the floor is floating, I don't know if i should attach them through the floor to the concrete (thus locking the floating floor down i think). Or should I just attach them to the wall and each other and let them float on on the floor? Or perhaps attach to the wall and then glue to the floor with a construction adhesive?
Part of the layout is a peninsula, so two of the base cabinets will only be touching another cabinet and not the walls. If these are not attached to the floor, it seems like these would have the potential to move if pushed or bumped.
I should also note that we will be installing a heavier counter-top, not sure yet if we will do granite, some other natural stone, or stamped concrete. But that might come into play as the weight may hold it down.
Best Answer
Is cutting out the flooring where the cabinets will be not an option? You don't mention it, so maybe there's a reason, but that's the method that would get you the best attachment for your cabinets, while still allowing the flooring to float and move as it's designed. You could make these cuts with a circular saw set to just the right depth.
For the peninsula, I believe cutting out the flooring is your only option. If you try to attach it through the flooring, you're either going to 1) pull it too tight to the flooring so the flooring can't float, or 2) not fasten it tightly enough and it's going to creak and move every time someone leans on the counter.