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How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Laminate/Linoleum/Concrete

Are you ready to make the transition from a vinyl plank floor to another type of floor? It may be a lot easier than you think.

Using a T molding transition strip is the easiest and most efficient way to make the transition from vinyl plank to any other type of floor. It can seamlessly bridge the gap from vinyl plank to linoleum, laminate, or concrete. Choosing the proper T molding strip is the key to a flawless finish.

Vinyl Tiles for home interior designs and house renovation

People choose vinyl floor because it is durable and it works well in the home. We’ve come a long way from the old commercial vinyl tile that you find in many grocery stores.

In fact, there are a variety of options for vinyl that are both durable and beautiful. In order to finish off the floor properly, you would make the transition to the other floors in adjoining rooms as seamless as possible.

Most people are surprised with how many options they have available. You might even feel it is overwhelming so we will break things down on a very simplified level to help you make the best choice possible.

How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Laminate/Linoleum/Concrete

If you are making the transition from vinyl to laminate, it is likely at the same height. Making the transition to concrete or linoleum, however, will present additional problems because of the difference in elevation.

You can’t simply leave the edge of the vinyl plank exposed when you make the transition to another room. It would easily get damaged as people scuffed their feet over it but even more so, it would create a stumbling hazard.

Fortunately, there are options available that can bridge the gap from vinyl plank to any other type of floor. These options include using a transition strip, but there are a variety of choices available.

For the most part, you will be using a T molding transition strip to bridge the gap from vinyl plank to another type of floor. If they are of the same elevation, a simple T molding strip is all that is needed.

These strips are put in the gap between the two different types of floor. In the case of linoleum or concrete, the channel is installed directly on the lower elevation and the molding fits down into the channel.

Of course, if you are attaching the channel to concrete, you will have to use the proper method. This would include drilling holes and inserting a dowel rod into the hole before snapping it off. That little piece of wood is all that is necessary to hold the pins in place that hold the channel securely.

You also need to consider the fact that a vinyl floor does expand and contract as the moisture content in the room changes. This can be problematic if you don’t leave enough room for expansion on the edge of the T molding.

It isn’t going to be as big of a deal with linoleum or concrete, but butting the channel up against the vinyl can be detrimental as it could cause the vinyl to buckle.

If you are dealing with a transition in both elevation and horizontal space, then you can use a T molding transition strip that also is an elevation transition. They are essentially the same but there is an extra piece that helps you bridge the gap from one to another to avoid tripping hazards.

Let’s take a look at the different ways that these transition strips are installed. We will also consider options so that it looks as professional as possible.

How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Laminate

Man fixing the floor

You will be happy to know that the transition from vinyl plank to laminate is one of the easiest to do. Since they are at essentially the same elevation, a simple strip between them is all that is needed.

Using a T molding strip between the vinyl plank and laminate floor will produce a beautiful finish. The key is to leave some room on either side of the track so that the floor can expand and contract as needed. Otherwise, you will have a problem with buckling.

A standard T molding strip is easy to install. There is a channel included that will attach to the subfloor between the vinyl plank and laminate.

The easiest way to attach the channel is to pin it to the floor with small nails. Some people like to screw the channel down but you can easily buckle it and it will not serve the same purpose any longer.

It is also possible to insert the T molding between the two types of flooring without using the channel. This is done by putting a small bead of adhesive on the edge of the oldest of the two types of floors and gluing that side of the T molding down.

You can do this but do not glue both sides down or the floor will buckle.

Tools You Will Need:

  • Hammer
  • Tape Measure
  • Straight Edge
  • Rubber Mallet
  • Flooring Adhesive (Optional)

How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Linoleum

Man fixing the floor

You need to correct both the edge of the vinyl plank and the elevation difference when making the transition from vinyl plank to linoleum.

Using a standard T molding transition strip is possible but you will have to use one that also corrects for the elevation difference when transitioning from vinyl plank to linoleum. Simply put the strip in place using the provided channel and allow the vinyl plank to float underneath the edge.

Some DIY homeowners have made the mistake of attaching the vinyl plank to the T molding using adhesive. This will not work when you’re transitioning to linoleum.

You have to allow the vinyl plank to float under the T molding so that it can expand and contract as the moisture content varies in the room. The only other option is to glue the T molding to the vinyl but not to use the channel. This will allow both the molding and the vinyl plank to move independently.

Tools You Will Need:

  • Hammer
  • Tape Measure
  • Five in One Tool
  • Adhesive (Optional)
  • Rubber Mallet

How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Concrete

Man fixing the floor

When you make the transition from vinyl plank to concrete, you need to make some specific adjustments.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 28, 2022.

Connecting a vinyl plank floor to a concrete floor is possible through the use of a transition strip. The key is to allow the vinyl plank floor to float under the T molding strip while at the same time, having it attached to the concrete subfloor. The concrete will not move but the vinyl plank floor will move regularly.

You have two options when it comes to connecting the T molding transition strip. You can either glue it to the vinyl plank floor and allow it to float or you can attach the channel to the concrete.

The best way to do so is to attach the channel so that the T molding does not move. Rather than using Tapcons, you can mark and predrill the holes using a masonry bit that is slightly smaller than the dowel rod you have available.

After creating the holes, insert the dowel rod and break it off in position. You can then use the small piece of wood in each of the holes to drive a pin that will hold the channel in place.

Tools You Will Need:

  • Hammer
  • Rubber Mallet
  • Straight Edge
  • Flooring Adhesive (Optional)
  • Drill
  • Masonry Bit

How To Transition Vinyl Plank To Bathtub

Man fixing the floor

Care must be taken when you are transitioning vinyl plank to a bathtub or any other solid surface that is exposed. Without taking the proper precautions, the floor could buckle.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 28, 2022.

The best way to transition vinyl plank to a bathtub is to leave a small gap between the bathtub and the plank flooring for an expansion joint. Expansion joints allow the flooring to expand and contract as the moisture content adjusts in the room. This is especially important in the bathroom where the moisture content can vary considerably.

There are expansion joints especially made for this purpose. They allow for the expansion while at the same time, not allowing for a separation to occur between the vinyl plank and the joint itself. A standard expansion joint can work to a certain extent but in an area like the bathroom, you will likely have problems.

Some people also like to finish off the joint with some caulking. This can also help to dress things up but over the course of time, it can end up cracking and it could be an eyesore.

Vinyl is an excellent choice for use in the bathroom. With the proper expansion joint in place, it can work in the bathroom for a very long time.

Tools You Will Need:

  • Expansion Joint
  • Straight Edge
  • Rubber Mallet
  • Five and One Tool

The easiest way to transition from vinyl plank to another floor is to use a transition strip. These strips come in a variety of types, colors, and sizes to work well with almost any type of vinyl and any secondary floor. As long as room is left for expansion, these transition strips make the job easy

Check out our vinyl plank flooring installation cost calculator to estimate your project.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 28, 2022.

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