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Mastering the Transition Between Two Floors: Vinyl, Wood, and Ceramic
Transforming a space requires an eye for detail, and among these details, the transition between different types of floors such as vinyl, wood, and ceramic plays a significant role.
Whether you are renovating your living space or simply seeking to learn more about the subject, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind for successful floor transitions.
Why floor transitions?
Floor transitions are very popular and apply in various scenarios. For example, an entryway with a ceramic floor, but with the rest of the house in engineered wood. Bathrooms are also a common case.
There are several reasons to implement floor transitions. In interior design, these transitions allow for several effects, including:
- Defining spaces: visually delineating different areas of a space, such as separating the kitchen from the living room or the shower from the rest of the bathroom..
- Creating visual effects: breaking the monotony of a single type of flooring, like creating overflow effects or mixing various shapes of ceramics.
- Functional reasons: using more suitable floor coverings for sections of the house, like porcelain in the bathroom for its moisture resistance.
What you need to know: transition mouldings
When making a transition between two different materials like hardwood and ceramic, it is important to leave a gap for expansion to allow the materials to naturally expand and contract.
Indeed, wood is a natural material that can expand or contract depending on humidity and temperature, whereas ceramic is a more rigid material that does not expand as much.
The expansion gap helps to prevent the two materials from colliding against each other, which could cause cracks or deformations.
To disguise this expansion gap and ensure a smooth transition between the two materials, you can use profiles or transition mouldings. They act as a joint that links everything together, they ensure an expansion gap, and they help to mask differences in heights.
It’s a cost-effective solution ideal for floor transitions between different materials and there are several options available on the market for each type of flooring.
Important considerations: the placement of the transition moulding and practical requirements should always be taken into account. In wet areas, like bathrooms, ensure that the transition does not allow water to seep under the floor.
Ideas for combining materials and visual effects
When it comes time to identify possible floor covering options for making transitions, the list is long! It’s possible with all coverings, although some options are more popular than others, your creativity is your only limit!
Here are some ideas for combinations of flooring materials to create transitions that work without fail:
- Integrate a tile rug into a wood floor: think of pale oak hardwood with a patterned ceramic rug like our Abriola Mix iii natural model, ideal for the kitchen.
- Let the tile "invade" the wood randomly: this freer approach, where the tile seems to spill over the wood, can produce a very graphic result.
- Hardwood and concrete: the mix of warm wood with the mineral grey of polished concrete is very trendy, and you can replicate this look with porcelain as well.
- Cork and engineered wood: the combination of wood with the natural texture of cork results in a warm and contemporary finish, perfect for a cosy ambiance.
- Hexagonal porcelain and rectangular ceramic: a good combination to break the rhythm and add a unique touch to your interior.
Creating a harmonious transition between different types of floors is within everyone's reach, provided you have the knowledge and the right tools.
Don't limit yourself to traditional linear transitions! Explore different shapes and orientations of installation to create a unique floor design that reflects your personal style.
For more ideas, check out our inspirational catalogue and contact us for specific advice or turnkey services.
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