Ceramic Tile Kitchen Floor Installation Thresholds

Straight Lay

• The easiest type of ceramic tile threshold to use is a straight lay pattern. Do this by cutting the ceramic tile down into straight pieces that are as wide as you want. After the pieces are cut down to size, they are installed with thinset mortar during the installation of the overall floor and will provide that transition point needed between the tile and the other flooring material.

Diagonal

• While it is more complex than the straight lay ceramic tile threshold, you can also cut the pieces down into diagonals and install these across the length of the threshold area. This is slightly more difficult and more time consuming to do, but the overall results are more eye-catching than straight lay tile thresholds. Otherwise, they are installed in the same way as any other ceramic tile.

Marble

• Marble thresholds, which come in a variety of neutral colors, can be purchased at any local home improvement store or ceramic tile and natural stone store. The most common types are the pre-cut thresholds meant to be used in doorways. However, you can also find slab-type thresholds as well as custom-cut thresholds that the stone experts can cut down to size for you based on your threshold needs. They are installed just like tile.

Metal

• If you want a modern look and feel to your kitchen floor, you can use metal thresholds designed to work within the overall tile installation. There are numerous types of metal thresholds from which to choose, but they are all installed by sliding them under the edge of the tile itself, leaving you with a finished threshold that is part of the ceramic tile installation and locked in place by the cementitous thinset mortar used to stick the tile down.