Transition strips bridge the gap between two floors while helping to prevent potential trips and falls. They can also help minimize noise between rooms when installed in a doorway. Installing transition strips on concrete or a concrete subfloor requires a few additional steps and increases the flooring installation cost, but it is a fairly straightforward DIY project. Most people can complete this project in an afternoon. This guide can help with the installation steps.
Prepping to Install Transition Strips on Concrete
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Before beginning, make sure you are using the appropriate transition strip for your floor types. If you are installing a strip on two floors of equal heights—like two concrete floors or a concrete and wood floor—then you will use seam binders or T-molding. If you are connecting a concrete floor to a taller floor type like carpet, you will want to opt for reducer molding transition strips. These strips feature a slight slope that helps to bridge the height difference between floors.
Additionally, make sure you have at least a one-inch-long seam between the two floors. The seam should show your subfloor, which is what you will attach the transition strip to. Finally, make sure your transition strip is wide enough to extend at least ¼ inch over each floor type.
Use a tape measure to measure the length of the area where you plan to install the transition strip. If it's in a doorway, measure the distance between the two doorjambs. If you are connecting two rooms without a doorway, then you will measure the entire length of the seam between the two floors, extending from wall to wall.
Cut the Metal Rail
Your transition strip might be a standalone metal rail, or it might have a vinyl or hardwood covering that is attached using a metal rail beneath it. Either way, you should cut the metal rail to fit your measurements from step one. Use a marker to mark off the precise measurements on the rail, then use a hacksaw to cut the rail to size.
Mark and Drill Holes (Optional)
If you are screwing down the rail, lay the rail over the seam and mark where the rail's holes line up on the floor. Next, using a masonry drill bit, drill pilot holes through the marks you just made. Finish by inserting the anchors into the holes.
Glue or Screw the Rail to the Concrete Subfloor
When learning how to install flooring transition strips on concrete, decide whether you are gluing or screwing the rail to the concrete subfloor. Screws are the best option in high-traffic areas, while glue provides a more streamlined appearance.
Use your premarked holes if screwing the rail to the floor, or apply glue to the back of the rail and lay it over the seam, applying pressure for at least 30 seconds to secure it in place.
Cut and Install the Transition Strip
You can skip this step if you have a standalone metal transition strip without a vinyl or hardwood covering. But if you have a cover for it, use a hacksaw to cut it to the right length; this will be the same length you measured during step one. Then lay the cover on top of your metal rail and snap it into place.
Clear any debris before installing transition strips on concrete, as this could cause wear and decrease the transition strip’s durability. Also, pay close attention to the aesthetic of the strip to ensure it fits with the rest of the home. Finally, check the strip’s integrity periodically to ensure it has not come loose, posing a tripping hazard.
Installing Transition Strips on Concrete Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing floor transitions on concrete is a fairly simple project that many people can complete themselves without any construction experience under their belt. Transition strips range from $1 to $30 per square foot, but taking on this project yourself can save you money.
If you hire a handyperson to complete the project, then you will have to pay for labor in addition to the cost of the transition strip and installation materials. Typically, a handyperson charges around $60 to $125 per hour for flooring projects like this, and it typically takes one to two hours to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transition strips are often called seam binders as they bridge the gap between two floor types. They are common between carpeting and hardwood or wood and tile. Transition strips prevent trips and falls and make the transition from each room appear seamless. They are also often used to even out height differences between floors.
You can secure transition strips with screws or glue. If you have a high-traffic area, screws are best because they reduce the risk of slippage. However, if you worry about aesthetic appeal, glue offers a more seamless appearance, as you do not have holes or screws showing throughout the strip.
Most transition strips measure two to five inches wide, but it varies by floor type. The right gap for your flooring depends on the look you prefer. A wider gap allows more room for expansion, whereas a narrower gap requires a smaller transition strip but leaves less expansion room. You should have at least a one-inch gap between any floor types, but sometimes more.
Samantha is a full-time personal finance and real estate writer with 7 years of experience covering real estate and home renovation topics. She has publications on popular sites, including Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans, and Bigger Pockets.
Samantha is a full-time personal finance and real estate writer with 7 years of experience covering real estate and home renovation topics. She has publications on popular sites, including Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans, and Bigger Pockets.
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