We just installed laminate wood floors & tiles in our open space living/kitchen room. We put ceramic tiles in the kitchen area & the wood laminate in the living area. Due to time constraints we had to get the laminate installed first before the tiles.
Our tiler was supposed to put something between the wood & the tiles but didn't.
He's not being very cooperative about completing this, so we are trying to do something ourselves.
What can we put there, so that the grout stops coming apart where the tiles & laminate wood meet?
Thanks.
2007-01-23 00:59:06 · 5 answers · asked by first timer 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hopefully, your tile guy used a metal edge to end the tile. It makes for a cleaner look for a transition to another floor.
If he did not, it just makes it a bit more difficult but not impossible...
My suggestion would be to use silicone in between the two floor types. Grout will always crack there if there is no edge installed. The laminate floor moves and the tile doesn't (hopefully, or you have more problems to look forward to with cracking grout...) so the silicone allows the movement.
It does depend on what colour the grout is but if it's white, almond, dark grey/black; you can use silicone right out of the tube in place of the last bit of grout or between the metal edge and the laminate.
You will have to scrape out some of the grout from the transition area... about 1/16 deep where the tile ends and the laminate starts.
If it is not a standard silicone colour, you have to mix clear silicone with some grout powder (on a sheet of cardboard or something... to make a silicone grout that matches...) and force it in the crack with your finger. Use masking tape to cover the laminate edge and the edge of the tile and leaving an open area between... take the tape off while the silicone is wet and rub any excess off each surface. Once it is cured, you can rub off the remaining excess silicone from the tile with your finger.
Even if the colour is not exact, grout changes colour (darker) over time... even if you seal it... the seal wears out, most people don't keep up with re-sealing etc...
Sounds time consuming yes, but works well and worth the effort as opposed to a threshold trim that will result in a high spot over the joint.
Good luck!
2007-01-23 01:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by 6kidsANDalwaysFIXINGsomething 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be reluctant to use laminate in any area that is liable to get wet -- snowy boots, washing machine leak, plugged toilet etc. Laminate flooring is very durable but it swells when it gets wet and when it swells it pops up at the joins, then chips. I have had to replace two bathroom laminate floors for just this reason. Use a good quality tile and 3 coats of sealer on the grout. When people have trouble keeping grout clean it is usually because they failed to properly seal it. If you're concerned the tile may be slippery when wet, choose a tile with a bit of texture in it. It will look more "high end", give some protection against slipping when wet -- and it will last for as long as you own the home. -- Just be sure to seal the grout 3 days after completion and every couple of years thereafter.
2016-03-14 22:36:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tile To Laminate Transition
2016-10-04 23:00:23 · answer #3 · answered by smuin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had a similar situation where 2 different laminates meet between a bathroom and kitchen... we covered it with a screwed in brass plate... holds the flooring down and looks nice too
2007-01-23 01:07:17 · answer #4 · answered by stephanie p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a "T" molding. Sold to match your laminate. Buy it at the same place you got the laminate.
2007-01-23 01:32:01 · answer #5 · answered by rlbendele1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Install a threshold....home depot, lowes
2007-01-23 01:09:13 · answer #6 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋