Choosing what type of
transition or threshold that connects hardwood at carpeted
areas largely
depends on what type of installation is being
done. Each and every installer is different, with
skill and pride in their workmanship also being a
difference. In general the average installer will
use manufactured trim moldings.
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Floating Floors -Overlap or baby threshold |
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Glued or nailed- One sided reducer |
Better installers will
often choose a more eye appealing approach in
dealing with transitions from hardwood to carpet,
but it does depend on the type of installation
being done. For solid and glued installations
that are fastened to the subfloor
header boards provide a more
professional and clean appearance.
How Are They
Installed?
Wood
Subfloors- Most installers prefer avoiding
nails and use glue (Liquid Nail or equivalent)
with transition moldings. However at times a few
nails may become necessary at times to hold the
transition in place before the adhesive sets.
Concrete
Subfloors- Liquid Nail or similar used in
conjunction with blue painters tape to keep the
moldings (picture below) in place before the glue grabs or sets. |
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| Check related discussions
discussions on the subject: |
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One Sided
Reducer- Also called a reducer, tapers
down from the height of the hardwood to a
lower vertical surface. It's often used for
transitioning from hardwood to vinyl,
terrazzo, or concrete, but is used now and
then for carpet, depending on the carpet
height. |
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Baby
Threshold, Overlap Reducer, or End Cap-
Used with floating floors because
transitions cannot be attached to the
floating floor itself. With more
inexperienced installers or rush home
builders these transitions are also used
with flooring attached attached to the
subfloor. |
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Header
Board- Used with same material for
flooring. Piece is cut to fit in the door
opening or at carpeted area. Carpet is then
stretched and tucked at header board. Often
used when carpeting is higher than the
flooring. Provides a more professional
appearance. |
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Header
Board Beveled- For unfinished or sanded
in place flooring these transitions are made
on the jobsite then sanded and finished.
There are unfinished reducers for this
application in solid 3/4" products, but are
rarely used with unfinished floors. |
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Header
Boards |
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Header board on
engineered gluedown |
Header board
with solid hardwood on diagonal |
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Other Trim
Molding Ideas |
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Net fit to threshold on a gluedown floor |
Tape keeping moldings intact until glue sets |
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Notched reducer at
door entry |
Notched overlap
reducer. Floating floor |
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T Molding gap |
Diagonal net fit on gluedown |
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