Wood to tile is a common transition found in most homes. We have to have smart design to move from a tiled kitchen into a hardwood dining room. Transitions are most common in door thresholds, but occasionally run the entire length between rooms in open floorplans. A less common transition method involves leveling both floors to match their height, then cutting tiles and planks to blend together seamlessly from room to room without a transition strip. This technique requires tile, hardwood, and design expertise to pull off.
The Color of Wood to Tile Transitions
The most important consideration is the color choices. The colors of the wood and the tile must contrast and compliment one another in order and not stand out. The easiest choice for the transition is a molding that matches the hardwood. The tile is always chosen to compliment the hardwood, and vice versa, so the molding will work perfectly. However, an exact match for the wood may not be available, but a very similar grain and color works fine. The small section of molding gets lost in the rest of the wood flooring and blends in perfectly all the way into the tile.
The Height
When transitioning from wood to tile, the second consideration is the height difference. Ideally, each type of flooring would be level with the other, but this never happens. More often than not, hardwood sits higher than the tile. Extra thinset or cement board can be added to raise the tile and smooth the transition. This technique results in a beautiful flow from wood to tile.
The Distance Between
The gap between each floor must be measured in order to choose the right transition material. If the floors meet in a door threshold, a metal threshold cover is the obvious choice, but there are many cases of wood to tile transitions from room to room with no doorway and a longer transition strip is necessary. If the flooring is the same height, we can get creative in the way that we cut the tile and hardwood and fit them together for a seamless transition without molding.
Installing a Transition with a Metal Track
Installing a transition strip is simple. Either use adhesive or nails to attach it, and cut quarter round to hide the gaps at the walls. However, a transition with a metal track requires a gap that must be at least half an inch wide to secure the transition. The track is cut shorter for an easy fit. For a concrete subfloor, a hammer drill and masonry screws will be required to secure the track. The transition is then cut to the proper length and snapped into the track.
Need some assistance figuring out your wood to tile flooring transition? Call or email FM Pro Remodeling today for a free consultation. We know you only want the best in flooring and remodeling. That’s why it’s important to hire the best in the business, and at FM Pro Remodeling, we can guarantee you that’s us.
FM Pro Remodeling have been flooring and remodeling Kentuckiana for over 30 years. Our certified installers have the ingenuity and know-how to assist you in choosing the perfect floors for your home. Don’t take matters into your own hands—let us guide your next project.
