In one house, it is rare to lay the same flooring in all rooms. Moreover, it is increasingly possible to see that 2 different materials are used in the same room, for example, tiles and However, some difficulties arise. For example, how to combine them so that it is beautiful and at the same time convenient? Carelessly executed joints between tiles and laminate can ruin any interior.
When a combination is needed
Each material performs its own function: carpet softens shocks in the nursery, parquet makes the room more presentable, tiles are not afraid of water, so they are laid in the bathroom, etc. Using different coverings in one room allows you to divide it into zones or create a floor that is ideal suitable for certain conditions.
Tiles are also very appropriate in the hallway, where there is always a lot of dirt and dampness. However, it is more advisable to install laminate flooring in the hallway.
Thus, a combination of different coatings will create the perfect floor. However, the joint between the tiles and the laminate needs to be sealed somehow. There are several design options.
Types of connections
Before you start laying tiles and laminate, you should decide where the border between them will be and what shape it will be. There are two ways to connect two different materials on the floor: straight and wavy. Each of them has its own area of application and some features.
Straight joint
It looks logical in doorways and arches, and is used to divide a room into zones or to design corner connections. For example, the joint between tiles and laminate in the hallway when transitioning into a room. It fits organically into the decor if it runs through the center of the room. The width of the gap between the coatings should not exceed 5 mm, otherwise it will be difficult to hide.
To make a straight joint, it is best to use a threshold. It will look good and will also mask all minor irregularities, including those that may appear when cutting the material by a non-professional. Floor coverings must be at the same level.
Wavy joint
Significantly more difficult to perform. It may be necessary when zoning a room or when projecting stretch ceiling lines onto the floor. Can also be used to create a “path” through a room. This is an original design solution when the interior uses wavy joints between tiles and laminate. The photo demonstrates how interesting and aesthetically pleasing they look.
It is necessary to make a joint of the original shape using a template, which can be cut out of cardboard or other dense material. Paper will not work due to its fragility. To cut laminate, you can use a jigsaw, and for tiles, a grinder. If the shape is very complex, you may also need a diamond wire. Therefore, you should immediately soberly assess your strengths.
Threshold
This is one of the simplest and at the same time aesthetic ways to disguise the joints between tiles and laminate. The threshold can be used both for single-level connections and for differences in height. This element can be made of aluminum, wood or plastic. Metal is the most durable material, resistant to various aggressive influences.
Thresholds can be straight or curved (for designing curved joints). There are also flexible strips that can take the desired shape. They are made of aluminum or plastic, but their base is rubber. Only wooden thresholds cannot bend.
Installing the joining elements is quite simple: just screw them onto the dowels. There are 2 types of installation: hidden (when the decorative strip covers the fasteners) and open (when everything is visible).
The joint between the tiles and the laminate with the threshold not only improves the appearance of the floor, but also closes the cracks, preventing dirt and dust from entering them. It also prevents the edges of flooring materials from delaminating and peeling.
Joint between tiles and laminate without threshold
Fastening without transition elements requires great precision and accuracy. It is advisable to use this method when it is necessary to make a figured connection.
First, the tile is laid so that it extends slightly beyond the joining line. Next, the laminate is laid overlapping. Next, the joint line is marked. To make it perfectly even, it is advisable to use a template and trace along it. After marking, you will have to remove the protruding elements of the floor coverings to make it easier to cut them.
When the materials are ready, they need to be carefully placed in place. In this case, the backing should be removed from the laminate (about 10 cm from the joint) in order to level it with the tiles. To prevent subsequent shifts, both floor coverings must be carefully glued at the junction points. After completing all the procedures, you need to clean the seams and rub them down. The joints between the tiles and the laminate should be tight, without gaps.
Using sealant or foam
If there are gaps between floor coverings, the following seam treatment method should be used.
You can hide the joint between the tiles and the laminate using silicone sealant or foam. In this case, the same method of laying floor coverings is used as described above. The only difference is that the cracks are closed with additional building materials. In this case, it is possible to make the seam aesthetically pleasing by selecting a sealant for the tiles. The use of auxiliary substances allows you to mask gaps of various depths and widths. It is advisable to use this connection method when processing the joint between tiles and laminate with a bend.
When working, pay attention to the amount of silicone or foam being squeezed out. If there is too much material, the excess will come out onto the floor surface. They will need to be removed immediately to prevent them from drying out and ruining the appearance of the tile or laminate. If there is little material, then it will not be able to provide reliable fixation of the coatings. In addition, the gap will be open for debris and dust to accumulate.
A significant disadvantage of this method is that if repairs are necessary, it is impossible to dismantle part of the floor. The entire joint will have to be disassembled.
Cork compensator
This option is considered one of the best for masking cracks. The joints between tiles and laminate, closed with a cork expansion joint, look very aesthetically pleasing and neat. This material goes well with both types of floor coverings. One of its advantages is the ability to paint cork in different colors using tinting. However, it should be noted that the tone will be more saturated due to the porous structure of the material. However, the cork expansion joint is not able to hide the unevenness of the seam; you need to ensure that the gap is the same in width and depth along the entire length. It is also important that the materials being joined are at the same level. Otherwise, it makes no sense to use this connection method: the cork compensator will not cope with its task and will only ruin the external
The service life of floor coverings and how aesthetically pleasing they will look depends on the quality of the joints. If the seams are done poorly, the materials at the borders will quickly become unusable. This is worth remembering when assembling a combined floor.
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What is most often put on the kitchen floor? As practice shows, this is linoleum or tile, since the laminate beloved by many is not wear-resistant. But in some cases, tiles and laminate are combined: the first is laid in the work area, the second in the dining area. An excellent compromise in its practicality presents only one problem - the difficulty in finishing the joint between two different coatings. Let's try to figure out how to deal with it.
Closing the joint
Without threshold
The fewer elements on the floor, the more uniform and natural the coating looks. Unfortunately, there are not many methods for sealing joints without a threshold:
- Cork compensator. This is nothing more than a strip of cork that is glued at the junction of the tile and laminate. The edge of the laminate must be treated with a moisture protection agent.
- Putty or fugue. The fugue is already necessary when laying tiles, so the volume of its use can be slightly increased. With due diligence, you can also choose the putty of the required color. To ensure that the seams retain their natural color longer and do not get dirty, after drying it is better to coat them with colorless varnish.
- Liquid plug. The principle of operation is the same as that of putty, with the only difference being the material itself. After drying it really resembles natural cork.
The joint between the two materials must be smooth when using either of these materials.
Using a threshold
Thresholds are the easiest and least expensive way to seal the joint between laminate and tiles. But there are some tricks here too, since there are several types of “adapters”.
Straight thresholds. They are the least noticeable, but their use is limited by one condition: the levels of the laminate and tiles must be almost the same. There are thresholds with open and hidden fastening.
Corner profile. Suitable for too obvious height differences (from 5 mm), allows you to make the transition smoother.
Bendable thresholds. Suitable for curved joining of two materials. Installation method may vary - see video.
Photo
The joints are straight, but the colors of the tiles and laminate are radically different. A threshold of a darker color will indicate the transition more strictly and accurately.
Here we had to tinker with the joint, since such transitions require extremely careful cutting of the tiles.
Only the dining area is tiled - in order not to completely highlight it, the joints are sealed with a fugue to match the color of the floor. 
There are two types of tiles on the floor. The second type - under a mosaic - made it possible to select a threshold of the same width and make the transition less noticeable.
Today there is a huge amount of materials to create maximum comfort in your home. Most homes use several types of flooring. For example, in the living room the floor is covered with carpet, in the hallway they use laminate or parquet, and in the kitchen - tiles. At the junction of various floor coverings, a joint is formed, which not only spoils the appearance and aesthetics of the interior, but also collects dirt and various foreign objects. To make everything look beautiful and practical, the joints between the tiles and the laminate are closed. There are several ways to do this, which will be discussed below.
When and why is it necessary to use different types of flooring?
Each material that is used as a floor covering has certain properties and characteristics, and also performs different functions. Carpet is very soft and cushions small children from falling, making it great for a child's room. The tile is resistant to water, which makes it an excellent solution for the kitchen and bathroom. Parquet and laminate give the interior a more elegant and expensive look. All these materials are presented in a wide range in specialized stores.
Using several types of flooring allows you to conditionally divide a room into different zones. This is especially true in the kitchen. The cooking area can be tiled, since it does not absorb water and grease, which will certainly drip onto the floor during cooking, and it is better to use laminate for the eating area. And in order for everything to look aesthetically pleasing, the place where the tiles and laminate meet must be covered.
Basic docking methods
Before you begin laying several types of flooring, you need to decide where the border between them will be, as well as how it will be closed. Today there are two main methods of joining different materials:
- straightforward;
- wavy.
Each method has certain characteristics. And in order to choose the most suitable one, you need to have a detailed understanding of each type of joint.
Straight joint
A straight joint line is suitable for doorways, arches and visual delimitation of space into different zones within the same room. This type of joint can only be used if the gap between the different floor coverings is no more than five millimeters. A sill is best for this type of joint as it will hide any unevenness caused by cutting the flooring.
Wavy joint
The wavy joining of tiles and laminate is more difficult to implement and requires certain knowledge and skills. Most often it is used to delimit a room into separate zones or create a “path” passing through the room. In addition, the joint between different types of wavy-type flooring is very often used in room design and allows you to give the interior an original and aesthetic look.
If you decide to use different materials for the floor and want to close the joints with a wavy joint, then it is better to do this using a special template made of cardboard. In addition, if the shape of the joint is very complex, then special equipment may be needed to trim the materials, so you should think very carefully and really evaluate your strengths.
Threshold
You can also hide the joints between the tiles and the laminate using a threshold. This is the easiest and cheapest way to give your interior a more attractive look. The advantage of using a threshold is that this element can be made of plastic, wood and metal, so you can choose the ideal solution that will fit harmoniously into the interior.
Today, there are the following types of thresholds for the junction of laminate and tiles:
- straight;
- curved;
- flexible.
Straight ones are used to mask joints when moving from one room to another, curved ones are most often used in various design projects, and flexible ones are made using special technology and have a rubber base, which allows the thresholds to be given any shape and to hide joints even in hard-to-reach places.
The thresholds are very easy to install. They are fastened using dowels, which can subsequently be hidden by a decorative strip, resulting in a more beautiful and elegant look.
Masking cracks without threshold
This design of the junction of tiles and laminate is quite complex and requires very high precision and accuracy when performing work, so it makes sense to resort to it only when you need to make a figured connection.
The first step is to lay the laminate and tiles. In this case, one material should be laid slightly overlapping on top of the second. Then the joint boundary is marked. To make everything smooth and beautiful, it is recommended to apply markings using a template. When the line is drawn, the laminate is cut and the flooring is laid. However, if you want both types of flooring to lie at the same level with each other, you need to remove the underlay from the laminate. To add aesthetics, the joint between laminate and tiles without a threshold needs to be grouted.
Masking joints using polyurethane foam or sealant
Using this method, you can remove large gaps between different coatings, which are filled with polyurethane foam or a special silicone-based sealant. In this case, laying laminate and tiles is carried out in the same way as when masking cracks without a threshold. The only difference is that the gaps are pre-filled with additional materials. If you use silicone sealant, then you can find several color options on sale that will match the color of the floor covering.
When working with foam or sealant, you should not fill the cracks with too much building material, because if there is too much of it, it will come out of the crack. If excess foam or silicone is not removed immediately, then after it has hardened it will be much more difficult to do so. If there is not enough material, the floor covering will not be fixed well, and the joints between the tiles and the laminate will constantly become clogged with dirt.
In addition, when using foam or silicone, you should take into account the fact that they tightly fix the floor covering, so it will be impossible to replace part of the floor in the future.
Cork joints
Cork joints between tiles and laminate are among the highest quality and most aesthetically pleasing. They are made using a cork expansion joint, which looks great with any type of floor covering. Cork can be painted in any color, which makes this material universal and allows you to implement any design ideas, regardless of the level of complexity.
It is worth noting that this material has a porous structure, due to which the color of the paint will look more saturated. In this regard, the junction will stand out and catch the eye, which does not suit everyone. In addition, using a cork compensator it is impossible to eliminate various defects resulting from uneven cutting of floor coverings, so it can only be used if the cutting was performed by professionals using specialized equipment. It is also better not to use cork if the laminate and tiles were not laid at the same level, since this method of masking cracks on the floor will not only eliminate the defect, but will also make it more noticeable.
Using moldings
Moldings are a special profile for the junction of tiles and laminate. In hardware stores you can find fittings of various colors made of plastic, wood and aluminum, which allows you to use them in conjunction with any modern types of floor coverings. The main advantage of moldings is their versatility. They allow you not only to hide the border between parquet and carpet, but also to eliminate various defects caused by improper installation of the floor covering. With the help of fittings, you can hide even very large gaps from view, as well as hide errors in height. However, you need to buy fittings even before the floor is completely completed, in order to make sure that the fittings have the necessary elastic qualities and reliable joining.
So, you already know how to close the joint between the tiles and the laminate, however, regardless of the choice of masking method, in order for everything to turn out well and beautifully, you need to perform the correct installation of the floor covering, which begins with markings. If you already have a ready-made design project and it involves using parquet and ceramic tiles in one room, then after pouring the screed on cement, you should draw future zones.
The first step is to lay the laminate, after which you can proceed to the tiles, but you must strive to ensure that both materials are on the same level. This is quite difficult to achieve, but if you succeed, then masking the boundary line between both materials will be much easier. If you do not have such work experience, then it is better to abandon amateur activities and seek help from professionals. Their services will cost much less than completely redoing the floor.
Conclusion
There are many different types of flooring available these days, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. However, the aesthetics of the interior of a home largely depends not on the floor covering itself, but on how well the junctions of various materials were hidden. In addition, if the joints are closed poorly, the laminate at the junction will wear out very quickly and lose its attractive appearance. Therefore, masking joints should be approached with the utmost seriousness, because savings in this matter are simply inappropriate.
What type of coating to choose for the floor is everyone’s business. The most important thing is to make beautiful and neat joints that will look harmonious in the interior of the entire room.
Often, when arranging a floor covering, a technique is used to combine several decorative materials that have different textures, thicknesses and colors.
The most popular of them are laminate and ceramic tiles. And in this case, a rather serious problem arises - how to correctly join laminate and tiles in order to get a reliable and practical floor?
Joint locations
When laying floor coverings of different thicknesses, there may be significant differences in levels at the points where they are connected, which must be correctly brought together into a single plane. Ceramic tiles and laminate are the most popular floor coverings that are suitable for rooms of various functional purposes.
The joint between the tile and the laminate can have the following location:
- At the transition border between two rooms. For example, between the corridor and the sanitary unit, the corridor and the room/kitchen, the kitchen/room and the balcony/loggia. As a rule, two coating options meet at the bottom of the doorway, so modern decorative thresholds can be used to design the transition.
- The joint line is located in open space, where the transition is visually used to zoning the room. For example, dividing a large kitchen into working and dining areas, rooms into areas for work and relaxation, and general zoning of studio apartments. More complex options are used to design transitions.
Types of laminate and tile joints
There are two options for joining laminate boards with ceramic tiles:
- Straightforward is a simple and accessible method of designing transitions. It is suitable for various types of premises where proper zoning is required. A straight joint can be designed in an open space or under a door. The permissible thickness of the transition is 5 mm. To properly connect tiles and laminate, it is recommended to use a decorative threshold.
- Curvilinear - such a connection of two materials is complex and labor-intensive, so its implementation should be entrusted to specialists. Designed for decorative division of a room into functional zones. May have different geometries.
Decorative threshold
Often, the joint between tile and laminate is closed using a joining threshold, which performs not only a decorative, but also a protective function. It provides reliable protection of the joint from the penetration of various contaminants and moisture.
Depending on the material used to make decorative thresholds, the following types are distinguished:
- Plastic.
- Aluminum.
- Metal.
- Wooden.
- Rubber.
By configuration they are:
- Curved.
- Direct.
- Leveling.
- Transitional.
- Angular.
- Round.
- Final ones.
- Single-level.
- Two-level.
The use of a decorative threshold provides a smooth transition between floor coverings, which is resistant to mechanical and other influences.
Flexible threshold
You can effectively transition from tile to laminate using a flexible threshold. The most popular elements are flexible profiles made of metal and plastic, which are perfectly combined with laminate and tiles.
- Plastic profile can be used when there is a technological gap between two different coatings necessary to set the threshold. The use of the element involves preliminary cutting of the required part of the profile for further softening and installation into the prepared groove. This design is resistant to mechanical damage and deformation.
- Metallic profile presented in a wide range of colors, used to design the joint between coatings of the same thickness. The profile is equipped with special clamps that allow you to securely fasten it between the tiles and the laminate.
Decorative podium
For safe joining of ceramic tiles and laminate, a special decorative podium can be used. It represents a height difference of 35 mm, which allows you to make an original transition between two coatings. The podium is fixed using adhesives and fasteners. Ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles are suitable for making a podium.
This design is used in exceptional cases when it is not technically possible to level the floor base using a cement screed.
Methods of docking without a threshold
When designing a joint between laminate and tiles without a threshold, the problem with the height difference between the materials is first solved.
To join different coverings - tiles, laminate or parquet - it is impossible to install them without maintaining a minimum gap. This is explained by the fact that each material has its own coefficient of thermal expansion when the temperature and humidity level in the room changes.
The technological gap allows you to change the size of the floor covering without damaging any of its parts.
In this case, modern elastic materials are used to fill the joint - expansion joint, joint grout and sealant.
Cork compensator
A good alternative to the traditional threshold is a cork expansion joint - an elastic and durable material made from oak bark. Thanks to its elasticity, such an element compensates for fluctuations in the size of the laminate board.
To ensure a long service life of the decorative material when laying a cork expansion joint, the edges of the laminate must be treated with a water-repellent compound.
Long and shaped seams between tiles and laminate are sealed with elastic cork sealant. When using a compensator, it is important to remember that the finishing materials must have perfectly smooth edges.
Joint grout
To seal a connecting joint in a level between two different floorings without the use of flexible profiles and decorative thresholds, you can use joint grout.
Grout is a ready-made dry mixture based on cement, epoxy or silicone. To prepare the composition, the mixture is diluted with water in the specified proportion.
The main advantages of grout are its cost-effectiveness, ease of preparation and application, elasticity, durability and resistance to moisture.
To preserve the shade and increase resistance to mechanical damage, the connecting grout joint is additionally coated with transparent varnish.
Cork sealant
Another way to seal the joint between two types of coatings is to use liquid plug or sealant. The composition has many advantages: resistance to moisture, quick drying and flexibility.
The sealant is made from crushed cork tree bark with the addition of a binder and water. Standard sealant has a light brown tint and is applied with a construction gun or spatula.
Making joints using thresholds
The use of decorative thresholds to design the joint between laminate and tiles is possible in the following cases:
- The transition is located under the interior door.
- There is a difference between the thickness of the floor coverings being connected.
- The joining of materials is done in the hallway or corridor in front of the front door.
Types of thresholds for joining materials
To beautifully design the transition between two floor coverings, the following types of thresholds are used:
- Plastic. Flexible design consisting of a base and a decorative cover. The base is installed in the gap between the laminate and the tiles, and is closed on top with a cover plate with snaps. The threshold is available in two types - for joining materials of the same thickness and for coatings with thickness differences from 5 to 9 mm.
- Metal. Elastic and durable design made of metal alloy for the design of curved and straight joints. Available in L-shape and T-shape. The metal threshold can be unpainted or painted in a wide range of colors.
- Aluminum. Used to process straight transitions under the doorway. The threshold has a T-shaped and H-shaped structure made of aluminum profile, at the base of which there are through holes for fastening elements. There are also self-adhesive thresholds, the inside of which is treated with a special compound. For better adhesion to the base, sealant is applied to the inside of the profile. After fixing the threshold to the floor, the excess should be carefully removed.
- Wood . The most popular and environmentally friendly design option, which fits perfectly with parquet and laminate. It has less flexibility, so it is suitable for making straight joints.
- Rubber. The element can be represented by a completely rubber structure or an aluminum profile with a rubberized lining. Ideal for the entrance area - corridor and hall. The aluminum profile is mounted on dowels, the rubber profile is mounted on adhesive.
- Cork. The design is made of cork, which has good shock absorption and elasticity. Such thresholds are compensatory and can have different shapes - circle, semicircle, zigzag. The elements are installed using adhesive in the gap between the floor coverings.
In case of wear or damage, all types of thresholds can be replaced with new elements.
Installation of a flexible PVC profile threshold
A flexible PVC profile threshold is a fairly practical and convenient design for hiding joints of various configurations between two floor coverings. It consists of two elements - the base and the decorative strip. Installation of the threshold is carried out after laying the tiles and before laying out the laminate.
Work is carried out in the following order:
- A base is installed along the line of the laid tiles and secured using dowels or self-tapping screws. For installation work, it is recommended to choose fasteners with large flat heads.
- The base of the threshold must be placed flush with the cut of the tile. Thus, the connecting profile and the decorative flooring should be on the same level. If necessary, you can trim the substrate under the laminate.
- If the profile is mounted on fasteners, then markings are made for them and through holes are made in the floor. Next, PVC inserts are installed and the base of the threshold is fixed. The distance between individual fasteners is determined by the curvature of the joint; the greater the curvature, the smaller the step. The installed base must completely match the shape of the joint.
- Next, the laminate is laid. After completing the installation work, a decorative overlay is inserted into the groove provided in the base and snaps into place with a little force.
- The last stage is the installation of the floor decorative plinth.
A flexible PVC profile threshold allows you to easily and quickly close a straight or wavy transition between laminate and tiles. To design a curved connection of coatings with uneven cuts, it is recommended to use flexible two-level profiles.
It is almost impossible to make an invisible transition between different types of decorative materials, but this is not required. The main task of such elements is to hide the existing joint, ensuring the solidity and visual appeal of the floor covering. In addition, all work on arranging connections can be done independently, without involving expensive specialists.
A common problem when performing repairs isjoint between tile and laminate, which is formed when two coatings are connected in different rooms or areas. Due to the difference in the thickness of the materials, a small but unpleasant step appears, which must be somehow removed or decorated.
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Why is it beneficial to combine materials?
The need for such a connection can hardly be called indisputable, but in some cases this is indeed the only option for combining two materials . For example, if you use furniture or appliances with legs that spoil the laminate, use a warm floor, which is more effective under the tiles. In addition, the combination is convenient in the hallway to create an area in front of the front door with a more water-resistant and easy-to-clean coating, in the kitchen, where there is a danger of water spills or boiling water.
Joining laminate and tilesgives the following options:
- Zoning the area to create service and common space.
- Possibility of using materials of different colors or textures, creating your own design solution.
- Reduce labor costs and costs for expensive tiles.
- Formation of a more convenient coating for cleaning in areas where water or grease may enter.
We should not forget about the decorative significance of such a connection. The ability to highlight and decorate certain areas of the floor allows you to create a stylish and fashionable element of the interior.
Disadvantages of combined coating
Transition between tile and laminateit doesn't always work out well enough. The disadvantages of the technique include:
- “Rupture” of the coating, unnatural design of the floor.
- If the room area is small, you have to cut tiles and laminate. Violation of the geometry of the material deprives the joint of external accuracy, the result looks sloppy or unsuccessful.
- The possibility of a “step” appearing that requires some kind of decoration or camouflage.
Laminate prices
What are the types
Connection of tiles and laminatecan be done in different ways:
- Straight joint. The boundary between the two materials looks like a straight line.
- Wave-shaped joint. The border looks like a curved line.
You can simply join the materials tightly together or use one of the types of special thresholds, produced for such purposes.
Important:When choosing the type of joint, you should carefully consider the procedure, weigh your strengths and skills, and I also have a good idea of what the result will look like. If changing the laminate sheet is quite simple, the tiles will be glued to the floor; removing and replacing them will require some effort.
A straight connecting line looks neat and allows you to use entire tiles or laminate boards without spoiling their appearance.
This option is good in small areas or when connecting coverings of different rooms(usually this is done along the line of the doorway).
In addition, if the work is carried out carefully and the thickness of the materials is consistent, it is possiblejoint between tiles and laminate without threshold, which simplifies work by making the connection less noticeable.
In some cases, zigzag joining is used - the connection line runs along the end cut of the laminate boards laid offset. The result is a connection with a large number of straight lines perpendicular to each other.
Wavy joint
Curvilinear connection of materials can be used in rooms of sufficient area so that the joint can be seen and evaluate the design intent. Sometimes this method is used when it is necessary to separate zones of complex configuration, when it is more difficult to divide in a straight line than in an arc. For example, if necessary, go around pipes, beams, pieces of furniture or household appliances.
Decorativethreshold between tile and laminateperforms the function of designing a joint.The boundary between the coatings is filled with a certain composition, covered on top with a special profile, or a profile is used that is installed on top of the first coating, and the second is inserted into the groove of the profile, as a result of which there are no fasteners on the threshold (closed docking). In addition, there are thresholds consisting of two parts: the first (lower) is installed in the joint between the coverings, and the second covers the joint from above, snapping into a special slot in the lower profile. There are also transition profiles designed for the design of multi-level joints.
Prices for decorative thresholds
decorative thresholds
The materials for making decorative thresholds can be:
- metal;
- plastic;
- wood;
- rubber;
- laminate;
- cork.
The use of one type or another is determined either by the state of the existing boundary between materials (for example, the need to somehow smooth out an existing “step”), or the method of forming the joint is itself selected for a certain type of threshold.
Attention! Choosing floor docking thresholds, it is necessary to provide for the characteristics of the coating materials, the possibility of precise and accurate cutting or processing of both materials.
Flexible thresholds
Flexible thresholds are designed to form curved joints between tiles and laminate.They are made straight, which allows them to be used on both curves and straight sections. Basically, aluminum profiles with teeth on the underside adjacent to the base are used. To bend, you need to deepen them with a hacksaw. Flexible threshold made of PVC is able to bend without additional processing, although some samples require heating to form an arc with a small radius. If you plan to use it for an existing joint, you need to be sure that its width will be sufficient to install the profile.
How to make podiums
Podiums are made to zone the space of a room, to highlight a certain area intended for some purpose . The arrangement of the podium visually cuts off part of the room, creating a space that is perceived as a separate area. This does not require the construction of partitions or walls.
Podiums have one drawback - the difference in height creates a very good place to trip, which every family member or guest is sure to take advantage of sooner or later.
You should also take into account the high risk of installing a podium in the kitchen, where operations with boiling water, hot dishes, cutting or sharp objects are carried out.
When creating a podiumthreshold between tiles and laminateis not required, since its role is played by the end part, lined with tiles (most often) or trimmed with cut strips of laminate. The high end part can be decorated with spotlights that can visually mark the boundary of the areas.
How to install materials without a threshold
If the coatings are joined in a straight line, you can try to connect them without additional elements. Think for a long time abouthow to join tiles and laminate flooring without a threshold, there is no need - you need to take the trouble to design the joint so that the gap between the two materials is minimal. Their edges must be well processed and neatly trimmed.
The gap between the coatings is usually filled with some kind of elastic material - liquid cork, sealant, foam. There are other materials, but their use requires creating the ideal gap width. For example, if a thin wooden strip is placed in the groove between the laminate and the tile, it is more correct to install it one by one - tile, strip, laminate (or in the reverse order).
Prices for polyurethane foam
polyurethane foam
Eliminating the gap
Installation of coatings joint to joint is carried out if the thickness of the laminate and tiles are the same. The difference in thickness is allowed up to 2 mm. Both materials are carefully adjusted to each other to obtain a minimum gap width.
Ideally, it should not exceed the distance between adjacent tiles. Then, to fill the gap, you can use the same grout mixture (or grout) as between the tiles, combining both coatings into a single sheet.
In addition, it can be usedgrout for laminate, sealant or liquid plug.
Which material is more suitable for joining?
It is best to select the type of connection before laying the coverings, so that you can use any of the common joining means. To connect coatings it is common to use:
- straight metal threshold;
- flexible threshold made of metal or plastic;
- cork compensator;
- filling the gap with elastic hardening compounds (foam, liquid plug, sealant);
- use of fugue or grout.
In order to decide whichtile and laminate connectorThe best thing to do in this case is to carefully inspect the gap and immediately exclude from the list of probable materials those that cannot be used for any reason. Most likely, these reasons will be the unevenness of the gap or the inability to install the main part of the profile into it.
From the remaining ones, you can choose the option that will be easiest to work with. In this case, the result will be the most successful.
Important!We must not forget about the need to create a deformation gap, otherwise, during thermal expansion or swelling of the laminate, swelling of the coatings will occur along the joint line.
Installation of flexible profile
The flexible profile consists of two parts: the comb and the upper visible part(actually the threshold).
When installing, you must first install a comb in the gap, which is a perforated strip with a lock for attaching the upper part and cutouts to allow bending in the desired direction (hence the name - comb).
It is attached to the subfloor using self-tapping screws through the mounting holes.
The upper part is bent in the desired configuration, the lock snaps into the mating part of the comb. In order for the material to bend better and the lock not to break, it is recommended to heat the profile with a hair dryer. It is better to do the work together. The procedure is simple, but requires some skill. To begin with, it would be worth practicing in an inconspicuous place.
Installation of flexible metal profile
The metal profile is equipped with special “legs” - support platforms, between which there are cutouts for bending. These paws must be placed under one of the materials - tiles or laminate. This is the difficulty of installation. The opinions of experts on this issue differ - some advise layingconnecting profile for tiles and laminatewith paws under the tile, others recommend first laying the tile, then installing the profile with paws from the tile (under the laminate), and only then laying the laminate, pushing its ends into the groove of the profile. Both options are good in their own way, but have their weaknesses. Before installing coatings, you should carefully consider which option will be most preferable, decide on the procedure and only then begin the work.
How to install an aluminum threshold
There are two types of aluminum thresholds:
- Open installation.
- Hidden installation.
Installation of an open-type threshold is simple - you need to lay it on the joint line, mark the installation locations of the dowels on the subfloor (if it is not possible to screw screws into the floor), drill holes and fix the threshold in place with screws.
Hidden installation is more complicated: it is carried out either at the time of laying one of the coverings, mainly laminate, or after laying both materials in the existing gap.
To resolve the issue,how to close the joint between tiles and laminate, a special aluminum profile with a cable channel can be used, covered with a rubber insert on top, or a solid profile installed close to the edge of the tile with the ends of the laminate inserted into the groove of the profile. The installation procedure depends on the type of material. Basically, the profile is attached to the subfloor using self-tapping screws.
There are thresholds designed to correct the difference in height between two materials. They are convenient if the tiles or laminate differ significantly in thickness.
How to treat seams with sealant and foam
Treating the seam with sealant or foam allows you to qualitatively fill the gap with a liquid hardening substance. The process is simple - the gap between the coatings is carefully filled with material from a mounting gun or your own cylinder. A good option for solving this problem would beliquid stopper for laminate and tile joints, but more on that a little later.
The main danger when applying liquid mixtures is that the composition gets on the surface of the tile or laminate. In order to avoid this, you can cover the edges of the materials with masking tape, and after the composition has hardened, carefully remove it.
Cork expansion joint between tiles and laminate- a collective name for two types of material:
- a solid strip of cork installed in the gap between the coverings;
- liquid composition of cork chips and sealant.
The installation of these materials differs significantly from each other. Installation of the hard strip is carried out after gluing the tiles, directly during laying of the laminate.
The cork strip is pressed against the edge of the tile sheet, and the laminate is laid close to it.
The most successful result will be with a straight line joining, since fitting curved lines, in this case, will be a rather difficult undertaking. The option is quite simple and provides the necessary expansion gap, but the cork strip will require some care and periodic cleaning.
The liquid composition is poured into the gap between the coatings and the required time is allowed to harden.The height of the applied layer should not be higher than the tile or laminate, but if this happens, the line is sanded or carefully trimmed with a sharp knife after hardening. Ideally, the layer of the composition should be flush with the surface of the coating and not require any additional processing.
Joining tiles and laminate requires the use of a special material, which is best selected in advance. To obtain a high-quality seam, you should study the properties of the material, the method of application, and the installation procedure so that corrections and alterations are not required.