The Tile to Wood Laminate Transition

Reducers

• If your laminate floor and tile floor are slightly different heights, use a reducer to transition from the higher floor to the lower. A tile reducer is a vinyl piece used when the tile floor level is higher than the laminate floor, and a laminate reducer is used when the laminate floor level is higher than the tile floor. Choose the reducer color to match the flooring. For example, a laminate reducer would be the same color as the laminate flooring. A reducer has a flat back on one side and a tapered end on the other that makes the transition smooth. Reducers vary in height, usually from one-quarter inch to one-half inch.

End Cap

• In some cases, the transition between a laminate and tile floor may be too high for a reducer to work. In this case install a decorative end cap as a transition. The end cap is a finishing piece made of metal, rubber or vinyl and is formed at a 90 degree angle. The horizontal part of the end cap is installed on the higher floor surface while the vertical part meets the lower floor surface. End caps can be as wide as 1 inch, but they can be cut to accommodate any height. An end cap not only finishes the transition with a professional look, but it also acts as a warning that a drop in the floor height is coming.

T-Molding

• When your laminate and tile floors are the same height, you can use T-molding to transition from one room to the other. The T-molding is the same color as the laminate flooring and is snapped into a metal track that is installed between the two floors. The metal track needs to be installed between the laminate and tile floor to the subfloor. To prevent gaps between the T-molding and either floor surface, make sure that the flooring is flush with the metal track.

Caulk

• Some laminate and tile installations are cut straight and meet in such a way that the homeowner wants to preserve the transition without covering it up. In this case, you would put a bead of adhesive caulk between the two surfaces to prevent moisture from getting under the floors. Caulk that cures to a white color is a common choice. You can create a clean caulk line by using a caulk tool to smooth out the bead after putting it in place.