Getting two different kinds of floorings or at least different styles (colors, patterns, textures) of the same flooring is quite a common experience. It comes hand in hand with any and every wood floor treatment project. Besides, the struggle to match the new flooring of a room with the rest of the house is also a big concern.
Having the same flooring all across the house isn’t an acceptable or aesthetically presentable factor either. Therefore, there is a need for something that serves as a style/structure-sustaining bridge between the newly installed flooring and the pre-existing one.
Eventually, this all comes down to adding an essential flooring called Transition. While this might be a new concept for people, it’s an absolute necessity when syncing two different floorings together. Moreover, it also helps in achieving maximum outcomes from a flooring treatment, to be more specific.
So, in this blog by Pro Flooring Guide we will address how to transition between two different wood floors proficiently.
How To Transition Between Two Different Wood Floors ( Step Wise Guide)
For a better understanding of our reader, here we have provided a stepwise guide to achieve a flawless transition between two different wood floors. So, let’s start learning:
Tools And Supplies You’ll Need
Below are the tools that you will require during the process. It is better to gather them before starting the process to avoid hassle.
- T-Molding
- Wood Floors
Beforehand Preparation
For the flawless results of the transition between two different wooden floors, paying attention to several key aspects is mandatory. The first one is choosing a color. Choosing the hardwood floor color and transition material is a bit tricky. So, it is always recommended to choose a contrasting color with a minimum shade difference of 2 to 3 on the color spectrum.
The second most important factor is the room’s dimension. For the smaller room, it is best to choose a transition strip 2 to 3 inches wide. On the other hand, for the wider room, you can go with 4 to 6-inch transition strips.
Besides all that, do not neglect to pay great attention to the visuals. Thoroughly explore the patterns like geometrical or herringbone layouts. Finally, you have to choose different floor materials. The widely used are natural stone and metal transition strips because they both enhance the aesthetic appeal and transition functionality. This approach also increases the lifespan of hardwood floors.
Method 1: Installing T Molding
The easiest and quickest way to install T molds is to position them precisely at the door’s threshold. It can be installed by either adhering it or nailing it to the ground.T Moldings are installed flush with the floor surface to ensure a seamless transition between adjoining rooms, with an ideal height ranging between 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch.
- T Moldings blend floors seamlessly with a 0.5-inch stem for stability.
- For optimal installation, it is recommended to maintain a 1-inch gap ( 2.54 centimeters) between the floor surfaces.
- T Moldings are also the easiest to obtain and style since you can purchase them in a matching profile, right along with your wood flooring.
- T Moldings go ideal with the same-length floors. It creates an entirely natural transition of the two, which feels attractive to look at and super gentle underfoot.
Method No 2: With Seam Binder
Lay the seam binder over the gap between your floors. Make sure that it aligns perfectly with the gap. Now trim it according to the exact size required by using a saw.
- Seam binder comes in a pre-finished profile, commonly using materials like Vinyl or Aluminum. Its lengths range from 6 to 12 feet.
- It can also be sealed and stained to match floors perfectly, typically requiring 24 to 48 hours for full curing.
- The thin, rounded piece of wood, typically around 0.25 inches in diameter. It is nailed down across the wood floors to enhance the natural aesthetic.
Method No 3: Transition Strips
The transition strip is another excellent way to proficiently form a transition between two different wood floors. Simply cut it according to the appropriate size. Screw it over the gap and fill the gap with filler if required. The installation of these strips requires less time than the installation of a hardwood floor.
- These strips have the tendency to effectively provide coverage for up to ⅜ part of an inch.
- Prefinished transition strips usually have Vinyl, Wood, or Aluminum construction and a width of 2 to 4 inches. They can be easily customized in multiple ways according to the requirements.
- Unfinished transition strips are usually wooden and have a width of 0.5 to 1 inch. Additionally, they are highly customizable, with staining and finishing done according to the existing style of the surrounding floor.
Some Innovative Ideas To Achieve Transition Between Two Different Wood Floors
Below are some innovative ideas to achieve a flawless transition between two different hard floors.
Irregular Pattern Creation
- Creating irregular patterns for the transition strip is one of the most common practices of making two entirely different floors (in terms of texture and color)appear attractive together.
- Diagonal lines or curved-shaped patterns, such as those with angles ranging from 30 to 45 degrees or radii between 6 to 12 inches, exemplify the most common, effective, and practical methods in this regard.
Buffer Zone Addition
- Adding a buffer zone is an incredible idea for syncing two different types of hardwood floors and essentially those within different shades.
- The buffer zone ( 8 to 12 inches), or a buffer tile to be more specific, works to ease the transition between two contradicting floors.
Line Splitting
- Splitting the floor line, or to be more specific, is inducing somewhat of an interruption at the adjoining point of two floors.
- Line splitting is an excellent way of joining two different level floors from one pattern or style to another, without making the drastic change look
Border Addition
- This technique refers to boosting the style of a floor by up to 60% by playing with borders, essentially adding a thin profile of it.
- This kind of floor transition makes it extremely feasible and favorable to design a single space with more than one kind of floor, without having to deal with anything going wrong at any point.
Covering Extension
- This is the technique in which floor boundaries are intentionally pushed, to give off the idea of a professionally done transition.
- The most comprehensive way to do so is to extend the very border of one flooring from where it was supposed to end. You can also exceed the meeting point and nearly overlap the other flooring.
Thin Metal Transitions
- Metal transition strips, despite having narrow profiles (usually the ⅛ part of an inch) look super attractive as a joint between floors. Besides, it’s also a wonderful way to add a presentable shine to your floors.
- Installation of a metal transition strip is also really easy since it only needs to be mounted between the floor gaps with the help of an adhesive. It will take only 15 to 20 mins.
Threshold Piece
- The installation of a threshold is very convenient. It requires just one step. Use a pre-cut threshold of suitable length, particularly one resembling the transition area. After that, install it between the two adjacent floorings.
- Thresholds usually have a large and several inches wide structure, so they’re meant to appear entrancing. Wood and stone thresholds are some particularly appealing options to consider.
Transition For Height Difference
- This kind of transition of two different wood floors is used for floors with different building levels (heights) and thickness levels that appear similar and seamlessly together.
- T Moldings is the solution for addressing a floor gap (difference) that is less than 1 inch. It is good to install a hardwood floor with nosing and cope with the gap also.
- As for the floor difference of more than 2 to 3 inches, the situation calls for adding staircase solutions to achieve the effect of smoothness and seamlessness.
- Stair nose pieces will do the job for you in this regard. They work by creating a circular edge on the higher flooring, followed by going atop the vertically aligned floor to the face of the step.
Expert Tips For Successful Two Different Wood Floors Meeting Transition
Keep these helpful tips and tricks in mind, every time you find yourself dealing with a flooring transition.
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Check The Difference Between The Heights
Before you do anything with the floor transition installation, make sure to determine the difference between the heights of the two floors that you’ll be working with.
Do not neglect certain things to know before refinishing hardwood flooring, like floor condition etc.
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Determine The Damage
If your flooring gets excessively subjected to serious wear and tear, let’s say the pressure of heavy foot traffic, then you should particularly opt for a really sturdy and resilient floor transition strip material. The reason is it must endure all that comes its way, rather than only making a choice based on aesthetic preference.
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Take Atmosphere Into Account
Aluminum transition strips work best if the humidity extent of your place is relatively higher. The reason is the obvious resilient nature of aluminum, which will remain serviceable for you for up to 5 years.
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Use Scratch-resistant Transition Material
Invest in a scratch-resistant transition material if you are (and should be) well aware of the extent of foot traffic within your residence. This implies the need for an even sturdy choice if you’re looking forward to a transition treatment within your office or commercial places.
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Honor The Manufacturer
That is, look for all the given guidelines regarding the right choice of transition for your floors, including both the new and the old ones. Check for perfect compatibility so the floor and transition companionship can last long, and at best get the one that’s been advised by the creator since that will be the safest approach.
Final Words
We hope that from the above discussion, you will get an answer to the question of how to transition between two different wood floors. Make sure to follow the tips mentioned above and tricks carefully to maximize the results. Still, if you are confused at some point, you can leave it in the comment section.
You May Also Like: How To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Blend New And Old Hardwood Floors?
To achieve a smooth transition between contrasting flooring, all you need to do is benefit from the Hardwood borders. The idea is to give off the impression of an intentional contrast between the floorings by highlighting the differentiating character of the two.
What’s The Point Of Using Transition?
The first and foremost advantage of using transition is that it prevents the formation of any gaps, which otherwise could provide room for debris and dirt buildup. In addition to that, using transitions ensures that your floors don’t appear janky because of an immediate transition to a completely different type of flooring.
What Are The Best Materials For Transition Strips Between Two Different Flooring Types?
Aluminum, Wood, and Vinyl are some of the most effective choices for transition pieces. That’s because these materials provide well for various purposes and thus prove fundamentally serviceable under almost all circumstances.
Is It Necessary For All The Wood Floors In A House To Match Each Other?
In the first place, it isn’t mandatory or a thumb rule to have similar wood floors all across your place; besides, it’s often not that easy or practical. That’s because treating your entire house with the same flooring is the most likely to become a really expensive project. And even if cost isn’t a concern for you, not all floors look presentable when treated with the same flooring. Rather, certain rooms appear better when there is a contrast in the flooring.
What Tools Are Required For Installing Transition Strips?
The tools required for installing transitions depend on the type of transition strip used. For instance, if you’re using wood transition strips, you’ll need a hammer, nail set, chisel, jigsaw, and power drill. As for aluminum transition strips, the job will be done by a hammer, and a reciprocating saw with metal blades. Regarding the tools needed for vinyl transition strip installation, you’ll need a staple gun and an electric screwdriver or drill.
When Should I Go For Transition Floors?
Flooring Transitions could be done at any point whenever there is a contradiction between two different floor colors. In addition to that, the flooring transition works to create a smooth boundary at the adjoining point of two different material floorings. This way, the floors can appear entirely seamless and much more eye-catching.
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