A transition strip is a piece of molding that sits between and connects two floors. It allows flooring to transition smoothly from one room to the next. There are different types of transition strips available, typically designed for use with different floor types and materials. So, laminate flooring transition strips are different to the T-bar transition strips that are more commonly used to transition between two hardwood floors while a reducer molding is used to connect floors of different thicknesses.
Why Install a Transition Strip?
The transition strip not only gives an aesthetically pleasing finish to the flooring used in your rooms, but it can prevent stubbed toes and trip hazards. While you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, there are some guidelines and tips that can be picked up with a general installation guide. Below, you will find the general process for installing these strips, although you may find the process to be a little different depending on the floor materials, and especially their thicknesses, that you’re using.
Below, we have included instructions on how to install a T-bar transition strip, which can be used with laminate and hardwood flooring or to connect these two different flooring materials.
Getting The Right Transition Strip
There are different types of transition strip available, including:
Square nose molding – A square nose molding is not used to transition between two floor types but is used when flooring comes up against a vertical object such as a wall or hearth. If quarter molding won’t fit, square nose molding could be your best alternative.
Reducer molding – Reducer molding is used to combine two different types of floor where the materials are of different thicknesses. This is commonly required when transitioning from a laminate or hardwood floor to a vinyl or lino floor.
T-Bar molding – T-bar molding is used in doorways to connect floors of a similar thickness. It can be used for hardwood flooring and also for laminate floor.
The instructions below are for T-bar molding. Although the basic principles are the same, you may find some of the steps slightly different due to the design and shape of the transition strip.
Materials And Tools
Whether you are gluing or screwing, you will need the following items:
And if screwing the strip down, gather the following items:
Screw gun or drill
Wood screws
How To Install A Transition Strip with Glue (6 Steps)
Do ensure that you follow manufacturer guidelines to ensure the best results, but if these aren’t available or you want to ensure that you’re doing it right, follow these steps for a successful installation.
Gluing the strip down is the simplest method, but it requires a relatively flat and even sub floor and glued strips may come unstuck sooner than screwed strips.
1. Measure The Doorway
Measure the exact width of the doorway, and then measure it again to ensure you got it right.
2. Cut The Strip
Cut the strip itself to exactly meet your measurements above. Use a power saw to cut the strip because this allows for greater precision and reduces the risk of damaging the strip.
If the strip has a metal track, cut this using decent metal snips.
3. Apply Construction Adhesive To The Strip
If the strip comes with a track, fit the strip and the tap together. They will usually snap into place but you can add some adhesive glue to ensure a permanent fixture. Apply a bead of the construction adhesive to the bottom of the track, if there is one, or the bottom of the strip, if there isn’t. The adhesive should be placed where the strip will touch the concrete floor.
4. Press The Strip In Place
Press the strip firmly into place between the two floors. The top of the strip should sit flush against both floors and there should be no gap between the strip and the floor surfaces.
5. Remove Excess Glue
Remove excess glue from the area. This is best done using a damp cloth and before the adhesive has had opportunity to start drying.
6. Hold The Strip Down With Tape
The adhesive will take at least several hours to dry. To ensure that the strip remains in place during this time, you can weight it down with heavy objects, or tape it down with masking tape.
How To Install A Transition Strip with a Screw (6 Steps)
Screwing the strip down, if possible, offers a firmer and longer-lasting solution. The process is similar and follows these general steps:
1. Measure The Doorway
Measure the space between the two floors and between the two door frames. Double check to make sure the measurements are accurate.
2. Cut The Strip
Use metal snips to cut the metal track and a power saw to cut the strip itself and ensure that the cuts are as smooth and accurate as possible.
3. Place The Track In The Gap
The metal track should include pilot holes. Place the track in position in the doorway and between the two floors. Mark holes where the pilot holes are, on the concrete floor below.
4. Drill Holes And Install Concrete Anchors
Drill holes into the concrete, remove the track, and add concrete anchors.
5. Screw The Track Down
Replace the track and screw it into place using the pilot holes and the concrete anchors that you added.
6. Snap The Trim Into Place
Once the track is firmly in place, you can snap the strip into the track. Push down and ensure that the molding sits flush against the top of both floor surfaces.
Conclusion
Transition strips allow for a smooth transition from one floor to another. Although they are most commonly used to connect floors between two rooms, they may also be used to connect large sections of flooring and some specific types of transition strip are used up against hearths and other vertical surfaces. In most cases, you can choose to glue or screw the strips in place, using the guides above and the manufacturer’s instructions.
See also:
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Apply one, long, steady bead of Loctite® PL PREMIUM MAX to both the T-strip and the floor. Loctite® PL PREMIUM MAX works on wood, laminate, drywall, concrete, brick, masonry, stone, marble, metal, stainless steel, fiberglass and more. It's Omar's go-to adhesive for quick fixes he wants to last - like loose T-strips.
So, what is the best way to install transition strips? You have several options, but we recommend using a transition strip adhesive tape, like the Opti-Grip dry adhesive. Opti-Grip is a fast-acting double-sided tape that doesn't require a lengthy curing time like a wet adhesive does.
When learning how to install flooring transition strips on concrete, decide whether you are gluing or screwing the rail to the concrete subfloor. Screws are the best option in high-traffic areas, while glue provides a more streamlined appearance.
That is a flooring transition. Imagine what your floors would look like without this. Frayed carpeting, rough tile edges or grout, and raw wood plank surfaces would abound. Transitions, usually in thresholds, hide unsightly edges, keep you from tripping, and protect floors from damage.
This is particularly helpful in an area where you have floors of different heights or where floors have a large gap between them. The transition strip between different heights is called a reducer, and it will create a smoother transition and help avoid tripping hazards.
While it is possible to connect two rooms without a strip, adding one often adds more style and functionality to the floor. Transition strips are nailed into, or glued directly on the subfloor. They hide gaps between flooring transitions and create smooth height changes between different flooring types.
Adiseal bonds most plastics to concrete, except polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene. Clean plastic thoroughly to remove dirt, oil, and grease. Increase bond strength by scratching the plastic surface.
T-Molding is used in doorways to transition between two floors of similar height. It's important to leave room beneath the molding for the floor to expand, so you'll need a gap of approximately 1 and ¼ inches between your two surfaces.
If you do have matching levels, you can butt the tile up against the wood, for a flooring change that is free of a transition strip. But there will still be a small gap. Because gaps are known dust-collectors, you may want to cover it with a strip, if only to avoid the dust problem.
To do this apply a strong adhesive to the edge of the wood flooring, and then place the threshold over the gap between the two sections of floor and push down on the piece to glue down. Place heavy weights on the threshold while the glue dries, which is typically two to four hours.
The glue down option would require a high quality construction adhesive. Lay the track aside, and drill into the concrete floor by means of a 1/4" masonry drill bit. Make sure the drill does not 'dance' off the mark when starting to drill, as it will otherwise bend the track when affixing to the floor.
Drill your pilot holes: Drill four holes at even intervals into your doorway. Make sure that these are slightly smaller than the mounting screws you'll be using as this will ensure a secure hold. Mark these intervals onto your door threshold strip in pencil, so that you know where your screws need to be inserted.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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