I’d like to get expert opinion regarding installing built-in cabinets. Specifically, the questions are: 1) Is it a necessity to remove carpeting in the area where the built-in will be placed? 2) Is it a necessity to remove the base molding in the installation area?
Thanks
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Unless the carpeting would be extremely difficult to remove, such as industrial weight carpet that has been glued down, I would remove the carpet before installing built-ins. There are a number of reasons for this:
1. It is hard to take measurements and level up the piece on a soft surface. If the unit is built in sections the piece will sink deeper into the carpet as weight is added, complicating alignment of the components and possibly opening gaps where the piece contacts the wall.
2. Most wall to wall carpeting is installed with a wooden or metal tack strip under the carpet around the room's perimeter making the carpeting thicker along the wall, further complicating leveling the piece.
3. Eventually the carpet will probably need replacing, it will be easier and simpler to do this if the old carpet doesn't run under the built-in.
4. The compressed area of carpet along the perimeter of the base of the built-in installed on top of the carpet doesn't look as nice as a properly fitted carpet.
It isn't a necessity to remove the base molding, but it often times is easier to remove and then reinstall the molding rather than having to work around it, so this decision would be based on the details of your built-in's design.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
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