Carpet-to-Tile Transition on a Concrete Floor

Plan the Transition

• Planning the transition between carpet and tile on a concrete floor requires gathering information about the transition point before choosing a transition material. Measuring the overall length of the transition — typically the width of a door or opening — and the thickness of the tile and carpet is required. Noting whether or not the point of transition has a span of exposed concrete between each surface or whether the tile and carpet butt against each other is helpful in locating the correct transition strip. Measuring the width of the exposed concrete can help gauge the width needed for the transition trim.

Types of Transition Strips

• Transition strips appropriate for carpet to vinyl floor transitions are usually made of vinyl or hard plastic. Transitions with exposed concrete between the flooring surfaces can be covered using one of two types of transition products. One type of transition trim utilizes a track system — the track is attached to the concrete and the trim strip snaps into the track. The other transition strip is molded as one piece that attaches to the floor and contains the trim. Each type of attachment uses a variety of trim profiles.

Reduction Solutions

• Transitions where the carpet sits much higher than the tile require a reducer strip. The trim profile of a reducer strip is angled or curved to move from one surface to the other. Curved reducer trim is attached on top of the tile and curves to hang over the edge of the carpet, cover any gap between the surfaces and hide exposed concrete below. Angled reducers slip under the carpet to be attached to the concrete floor below. In this type of reducer, the trim and base are attached into a single transition piece that angles in both directions to cover each surface — the angle chosen depends upon the thickness of each floor surface. Angled reducers usually overlap both surfaces by a quarter to a half inch.

Same Height Surfaces

• Carpet that matches the height of its vinyl neighbor requires a different type of trim. A material joiner is trim that is part of a track system. The joiner is an umbrella or mushroom shape profile that covers both surfaces — there is no angle to the profile as in a reduction trim. The umbrella effect of the joiner hides the seam between the floor surfaces and protects the material edges from fraying and chipping with use.