What floor trim should be used when tiled floor is higher than the floors around it?

Question

My husband layed a sub floor and porcelain tiles in my mother's kitchen, not realizing that there would be a big difference in height where the tiles meet an existing floor. How would he put trim so that there wouldn't be such a sharp edge (ie - where the kitchen floor meets the living room floor, etc. Elderly people will be living in the house and I wouldn't want them tripping. I'm hoping but not sure if I've explained this right.

Answer 1

I had that exact situation when I had a contractor install a porcelain floor with cement board underlayment. There was almost an inch difference between it and the adjoining hardwood floors. I measured the height exactly and then went to Home Depot and found wooden stock (mostly oak) in the trim department to stack up and make a transition. Since it was at doorways, I stacked 4" wide flat 1/2" thick boards and staggered them to make a slight step and then used bullnose trim on the edges to make a soft curb that you would not trip over. I nailed them together with finish nails and glued and nailed them in place. Then recessed the nailheads and patched the holes with wood putty and wiped light coats of wood stain on until it matched the wood floors. Looks very nice and makes a safe, smooth transition.

Answer 2

I doubt you will find a pre-made transition strip to work exactly to your needs. So have someone make you one.

Use oak as it is hardwood and will last longer. The width of the board or transition strip needs to be 4" in width for every 1/2" you need in thickness. So let's say you tile floor is 1" higher than the living room floor. You need to purchase an 8" wide oak pc. of wood. The nominal width for a 1" x 8" is 3/4" thick by 7+1/2" wide which is fine.

Make sure you measure for the length.

Now tell you husband to run this board through a table saw to put a bevel edge on it. Cut the bevel leaving about 1/4" on the edge and go back about 2" on the board and stop the bevel. Sand and stain this oak board. If you have carpet in living room , pull it back so you can fasten this transition strip down into wood under carpet with screws. Or you can drill the oak,use liquid nail under it and then nail it down.

You can use shims under the transition strip to get it to be flush with that new tile floor in kitchen. Lay carpet back and cut with utility knife so it lays right up against new transition strip.

If your husband feels this is too much of a job, find a handyman to do this and expect to pay about $50 to cut and fit this board in place - you buy the materials.

Answer 3

Something like a hardwood reducer strip would work.You may luck out & quarter round/shoe mould will do the trick but probably would require some cutting.

Answer 4

They make transition strips that are meant to be used with laminate floating floors. Find one close to the color of your wood floors and install it. They make a nice transition and your not dealing with trying to make your own. Any RONA store could help you. Good Luck