
You need to ensure that it will also work with the existing surface, which could be concrete or wood sub-flooring. Just because the adhesive is compatible with the strip does not mean it will work on every surface. Using the right kind of adhesive is an important step in properly installing transition strips. You should always include a gap to account for natural expansion of the wood. Another common mistake is installing the transition strip too tight against the materials, especially wood surfaces. Instead, follow the manufacturers instructions when installing transition pieces and secure wherever they recommend. These floors are meant to expand over time and can lead to warpage in the transition piece. Transition strips should never be connected to the subfloor or floating floor.

Once the track has been put in place, you simply click in the visible part of the strip and the transition is complete. But because the ceramic is only slightly higher than the laminate, the transition is accomplished with a single strip attached to a base track. Ceramic is usually higher than laminate because it features a layer of thin-set mortar that raises it up. Going from laminate to tile is another example of transitioning between uneven surfaces. The downside to these transitions is that they look more industrial and aluminum does not go with all types of decor. The face of the gripper transition slopes downward towards the lower material. These strips are installed under the carpet and feature teeth that dig into the material, keeping everything in place. GrippersĪluminum gripper strips are mainly used to transition between carpet and surfaces that are lower. The great part about these strips is that they can be stained or painted to match existing colors. If you do not allow a gap for expansion, then you run the risk of ruining the floor. All you have to do is screw in the board with the provided hardware and allow some space for expansion. You can use these transitions to go from two wood surfaces that are the same height. These strips run around 5 inches in width and are flat in appearance. Wood transition strips are also referred to as seam binders. Vinyl to tile strips are very similar to tile to laminate ones, the only difference being the downward slope is more dramatic. These strips often feature a slope that goes from the higher surface to the lower, providing a secure and aesthetically pleasing transition. Tile flooring rests significantly higher than vinyl and needs a special strip to seamlessly transition between the two materials. These strips come in a variety of finishes, so finding one that is perfect for your floor should not be difficult.

The vinyl or laminate piece is placed on top of the aluminum strip, concealing the metal and completing the transition.

The aluminum piece is installed under the carpet to give it some lift, gripping the material with tiny spikes. In order to make the transition appear level, you need a t-strip that comes with an aluminum plate. Transitioning from ceramic tile to carpet is difficult because the materials are almost always uneven. But if you need something that works on different types of surfaces, then these strips are the way to go. The downside to these strips is that you are wasting a lot of material and paying more for the strips. All you have to do is swap out the appropriate piece to match the desired surface. These strips are perfect if you need to transition to uneven or even levels. Multi-purpose transition strips, also called 4-in-1 strips, come with several parts that work on a variety of surfaces.
