Are Flooring Transitions Necessary?

What is a Flooring Transition?

Flooring transitions are utilized at some point when two individual floorings connect to link the gap, especially if the two floors have dissimilar thicknesses or to establish a smooth and even border when floors of various materials assemble. It can be accomplished with carpet-to-tile transitions or laminate-to-wood transitions. It is better to have some transition application when your kitchen tile unites dining room hardwood floors or bathroom tiles meet the carpeted hallway. It finishes the area, prevents potential tripping accidents, and enables the floor to keep structural stability. 

Are flooring transitions necessary?

When choosing new flooring, you emphasize the styles that highlight your home. However, flooring transitions are also as essential as how your new flooring will connect to other flooring materials in your home. Moreover, flooring transitions help soften the clashing colours and textures and can conceal unpleasant gaps making your flooring come out flawless. Transitions between flooring can also harmonize different flooring styles and designs. There are also instances that height difference is a huge issue where flooring types meet. For example, if a thick hardwood floor meets a low overlay carpet, leaving a height gap, it could become a tripping hazard that is prone to accidents, especially for children and the elderly. Flooring transitions function as mini gradients, making your flooring a safe slope from a high to low floor type.

Furthermore, transitions secure the corners of your flooring from scratches and becoming worn. Laminate flooring requires space as it expands when the temperature changes, especially if you install it near a doorway. Or else the floor could snap or distort when it reaches the corner of another flooring material.

What are the key elements when considering a flooring transition?

One of the critical elements to consider is the height or thickness of the two flooring materials you will transition. If there is a considerable gap between the two, transition enables visitors to foresee the change in flooring height while walking through the area, thus avoiding potential accidents. Secondly, you must consider the number of people who walk over the transition daily. The higher the foot traffic, the more sturdy the transition will require. The next thing to consider is the location of the area. If the site is exposed to wet surfaces, a transition which provides slip-resistant properties is needed. And suppose the site constantly runs over heavy and bulky items such as carts in the supermarkets or warehouses. Accordingly, choosing a transition product that can handle the dense and frequent force without ceasing is essential. Finally, aesthetics is also important when selecting the right flooring transition. It creates an accent or bold statement, making the space more eye-catching. There are various ways to create designs using floor transition. For example, you can use contrasting colours or shapes of transition slips that will accentuate the room's appearance. You can also use a dramatic pattern for planks, creating parquet-looking wood flooring. Radiant and striking colours are also great when you want to project a lively and vibrant room. In this case, the colour of the flooring transition should correspond harmoniously to the flooring materials. 

Flooring transition outlines can be viewed as a minor role of a flooring project and often underestimated. But despite that, the proper designation is essential as it can help enhance a flooring structure's safety and integrity. As a result, your visitors and family can safely walk and pass between different flooring areas. 

There are many different types of transition products to use. Our company, Rachel's Floors, is a professional flooring installer who knows about the transition options. You may inquire about your concerns regarding flooring transitions, and we will be glad to discuss your ideas so we can incorporate our design with yours. Do not hesitate to call us!