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Nufloors Camrose

#3 3810 48th Avenue Camrose, AB T4V 3Z8

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8202 Fraser Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1W8

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Nufloors Grande Prairie

#101, 13501-100 Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4H4

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10201 99th Street, La Crête, AB T0H 2H0, Canada

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Nufloors Medicine Hat

502 D Maple Avenue SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3A8

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7711 50th Avenue, Red Deer, AB, Canada

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192 2181 Premier Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2V1

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204 4 Avenue Northeast, Slave Lake, AB, Canada

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Nufloors Castlegar

4370 Minto Road Castlegar, BC V1N 4B3

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Nufloors Comox Valley

2920-A Moray Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 7S7

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1518 Northwest Blvd. Creston, BC V0B 1G6

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391 1 Avenue Fernie, BC V0B 1M0

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834 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P3

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1-2121 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7X1

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304 20771 Langley By Pass Langley, BC V3A 5E8

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Nufloors Penticton

101 1397 Fairview Road Penticton, BC V2A 6A1

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Nufloors Quesnel

162 Front Street Quesnel, BC V2J 2K1

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Nufloors Salmon Arm

775 Lakeshore Drive S.W. Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1E4

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Nufloors Terrace

4730 Keith Avenue Terrace, BC V8G 4K1

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Nufloors Vernon

102 4708 34th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5Y9

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Nufloors West Kelowna

4-1726 Byland Road,West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 1A9

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Ontario

Nufloors Quinte

415 Maitland Drive #2 Belleville, ON K8N 0N4

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Nufloors Simcoe

41 Park Road Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9

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Nufloors Saskatoon

402 48 Street East Saskatoon, SK S7K 5T9

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Guide to Flooring Transition Strips

By , On , In Flooring Education

In our dream home, our flooring would seamlessly flow from one room to the next. In the real world though, that may not always be possible as different rooms require different flooring. For example, that beautiful solid wood flooring in your living room is not suitable for your bathroom, where as a porcelain or ceramic tile is better suited for those moisture areas. So, how do we transition from one floor to the next to ensure that seamless look throughout? There are several different types of accessories, called transition strips, that are used in the flooring industry to achieve this. But, before we dive into the different accessories, we will look at how transitioning from similar floor products differs from transition between different materials.

Transition Between Similar Materials

Although you may not need a transition strip between materials of the same thickness, you may still want to consider using one. There are two reasons for this. One, seams are incorporated between rooms of similar materials to account for expansion and contraction. The transition strip will cover that gap between rooms. And finally, unless the two different products aesthetically blend together in a pleasing way, you will probably need a transition strip.

Transition Between Different Materials

In this case, a transition strip is almost always required. There could be a couple of reasons for this. One, the materials need some kind of finish along the edge. Two, different materials may not have the same thickness which creates a change in floor heights and change in underfoot characteristics.

Luckily, these days we are not limited to the aluminum strips we remember from grandma’s house. You can now find real hardwood, engineered wood and vinyl transition strips that can be used with a variety of different flooring types.

Carpet to Tile Transition

A carpet to tile transition strip is designed for a low-pile carpet and ceramic tile floor. The aluminum strip is tucked under the edge of the carpet, which grips to protruding spikes. Ceramic tile butts up against the strip but does not attach to it. Finally, to bridge both floors and cover both edges, a vinyl strip is snapped into the track of the aluminum strip, this is typically referred to as track & cap.

4 In 1 Transition Strip

A 4-in-1 transition strip has interchangeable/adjustable parts that allows it to be used for different flooring types. Your typical 4-in-1 transition strip has a metal channel for mounting and a T-molding to fit into the channel. This is used as a T-molding if the materials are the same height, whereas it can be modified to different profiles as needed for each scenario.

Carpet strip is used to transition from carpet to another material, hard surface reducer is used to transition from a thicker hard surface to a thinner one, and an end molding is used to create a final finished edge on one material, rather than transition to another.

Transition strip between laminate flooring and carpet.
Source: Schluter

T-Strip for Hard Surfaces

A T-strip is used to link any two hard surface flooring materials of the same height and uses a special sealant. The vertical portion of the T is forced into the gap and is bonded with the sealant/adhesive. This top T portion fits snug against the surface of both flooring materials.

Nufloors T-Strip for Hard Surfaces
Source: Schluter

Tile to Laminate Transition

This transition strip is used for joining laminate flooring to tile floor. Tile floor is usually higher than laminate flooring, therefore this transition strip features a molding with offset edges to accommodate the different heights. The strips can be made from unfinished hardwood and can be stained any colour to match your laminate floors or in other cases a standard size is available from the laminate supplier to match the flooring. There are also a variety of Schluter tile edges available that may be used to create the transition to a different height. 

Nufloors Tile to Laminate Transition Strip
Source: Schluter

Wood to Wood Seam Binder

Typically referred to as “seam binders” they are flat strips of hardwood with beveled edges. It is used to bridge floors of equal heights. It is installed over the seam and is attached to the subfloor with screws. It is not screwed into either floor, which allows the floor to contract and expand without cracking the transition strip.

These transition strips are also available in different widths (typically 5 inches) and come unfinished so it can be stained to match your flooring.

Vinyl to Tile Transition

This transition is much like the tile to laminate transition strip. It is made from hardwood and is used to create a smooth transition from a vinyl floor to a thicker tile floor. If a vinyl reducer is being used, a metal channel is anchored to the subfloor, the top strip is then snapped into the channel to cover the floor seams. A hardwood strip can be used and it can be stained or painted to match your floors or a Schluter tile edge can be installed with the tile to create the transition down to the vinyl flooring.

Black ceramic tile and light grey ceramic tile with a white transition strip between them.
Source: Schluter

Carpet Edge Gripper

This is an aluminum strip that holds the edge of the carpet with metal teeth and is used to join carpet with any flooring surface that is thinner than the carpet. It is tacked to the subfloor and the carpet is forced into the toothed side of the strip. This is commonly known as naplock and is available in several color options.

It is recommended to discuss, with your flooring sales person, the various floor transition strips available for your specific flooring application, as aesthetics will play a roll in what best suits each particular scenario.

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