Question: How do I join an existing hardwood floor and a laminate floor?
The previous owners took out the existing hardwood floor in the ajoining dining room (to the living room) and installed carpet. I want to replace the carpet with a wood laminate floor but I am not sure how to make the two look seemless and join together. I would like this to be a DIY project and need some advice. Thank you
Answer:
Answer by Amanda
You would have to install a “threshold”. Not sure of the spelling. Its a board, tapered along the edges, that rests on top of the two floor surfaces and runs the length of the opening. They can be stained to match if you get a natural one. I make made my own out of pine and used a router on the edges. Pine is soft though.
3 Responses to “How do I join an existing hardwood floor and a laminate floor?”
It is called a “transition” and is sold with your brand of laminate flooring. It will match your laminate flooring, and has different configurations, like step down, level, against a door threshold, etc.
Follow all of the directions. I just did a similar job 2 weeks ago. Good luck, and write back if you need more help.
If you want an all one look, you ll have to build up the lower floor by adding 3/8″1/2″ or possible 5/8″ ply wood thus building up the laminate to be flush with the ply wood. Then you must use what is called a “T” mold that covers the edge of both surfaces and still allows the laminate to float and move.
Not building it up, you ll need a reducer , which most all laminates come with or have available . This still covers the laminate and wood edges allowing it to still float. This will cause a slight step down. Thresholds will not work because they do not cover the edges..
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar . I ve attended several installation seminars as well as installed a few 100,000 s/f. GL
you will have to take out the exsisting floor some what so you can lock the new floor into the old. you should be able to just stagger the old back(take out) enough to lock in the new