How to close the joints of different types of floor tiles. Threshold between tiles and laminate: types and methods of joining thresholds

Usually, all floors in the house, with the exception of the bathroom and toilet, use the same flooring. But apartments are no longer as small as before, and people's tastes have changed. Therefore, there is often a need, and sometimes just a desire to combine different floor coverings in one room.

This method is often used:

in studio apartments, where the kitchen smoothly "flows" into the living room;
large rooms, which it was decided to zone, using different materials for flooring;
if you just want to make an original floor.

Often, different materials are also used for the floors of neighboring rooms. In such a situation, when doorways are made without thresholds, these materials also need to be carefully joined. It may seem that in the presence of modern sills made of various materials, this problem is solved in a jiffy. But this is not always the case. Although the sills are both straight and curvilinear, with their help it is not always possible to form a complex curvilinear joint.

In the case when you need to join the laminate and ceramic tiles without the use of a threshold, other methods are needed.

And they are:

Jointing materials end-to-end, when there is practically no gap between the tile and the laths of the laminate.
Docking of coatings using a cork compensator, which is placed in a narrow gap between the materials flush with the floor surface.

This is the most difficult, but also the most effective way, requiring precision work. Its main advantage is an absolutely flat floor surface without protrusions.

The advantages of this method also include:

the ability to perform a seam of any geometry;
aesthetic appearance of the floor.

In order for this option of joining materials to become possible, it is necessary that there are no differences between the surfaces of the tile and the laminate. Sometimes it is necessary to use an additional substrate or a thicker layer of tile adhesive to level them.

Preparation for the installation of coatings consists in carrying out the following works:

careful measurements of the thickness of tiles and laminate;
production of templates for cutting materials at the junction;
tracing the line of the future joint on the surface of the rough base of the floor.

There are a couple more subtleties that you need to know:

Laying the floor should always start with tiles. Whatever its thickness, it is easier to fit a laminate to it than a tile to a laminate.
Installation of both coatings must begin from the junction line.
A gap of 1.5-2 mm must be left between the tiles and the extreme laths of the laminate.

The technology for joining coatings is as follows:

The base of the future floor at the junction must be primed with a non-shrinking silicone sealant.
First you need to lay the tile - so that it crosses the joint line.
After the adhesive has set, you need to lay the overlapping planks on the tile.
Using the prepared template, a joint contour is applied to the laminate.
Further, according to the markup, the boards need to be cut.
Then, using the ends of the already cut planks as a template, you need to cut the tiles. To do this, it is best to use a grinder with a diamond wheel.
The cut edges of tiles and laminate must be carefully processed so that they do not leave chips or chipping from the tool.
Laminate planks must be glued to the base.
After the adhesive has dried, fill the expansion joint between the tile and the laminate.

You can use as fill:

sealant;
mounting foam;
grout;
floor mastic.

When the filling color is chosen well, a thin seam becomes almost invisible.

The disadvantage of this method of joints of coatings is that a non-separable connection of two materials is obtained. Therefore, if the need arises for repairs, you will have to disassemble a significant part of the coating, and then adjust the extreme tiles and boards again.

The compensator is a sheet made of pressed cork. Using a ruler and a sharp knife, you can easily cut a strip of the required width from it.

Such material does not harden during operation, retaining its elasticity.

This is especially important, as the laminate, depending on the microclimate of the house, constantly expands and contracts. In addition, cork is a natural material, so it can be used in residential areas without restrictions. The gap between the coatings in this case should be no more than 2-3 mm. Using a screwdriver or other similar tool, the compensator is carefully “driven” into the gap between the tile and the laminate. If necessary, the cork can be easily painted or tinted in any color.

The flexibility of the cork strip allows this method to be used for both straight and curved seams.

At the same time, the floor surface also remains completely flat.

Both ways of designing the joint allow you to create beautiful floor coverings that not only carry a functional load, but also help create an unusual interior.

Today it is very fashionable to make studio kitchens, throw out doors and build arches in their place. This helps to save space, which is sometimes not enough. But, this raises another problem. It is necessary to dock floor coverings that have different thicknesses and are made of different materials.

For the kitchen, there is no more convenient material than ceramic tiles. At the same time, ceramic tiles are the most inconvenient material for a bedroom or nursery. She is cold and hard. But the laminated board is perfect for the bedroom. But experts do not recommend laying it in the kitchen. How to join laminate and tile so that it is beautiful?

You can solve the problem by purchasing a nut. Hardware stores offer a wide selection of sills, which are available in different colors and are easy to install. There are aluminum, wood and plastic sills.

If the height difference between the floor coverings exceeds 5-7 mm, then you can not do without a multi-level threshold. But at the same time, the threshold will never merge with the floor covering. It will always be visible. Therefore, the use of a special nut is not the best solution in terms of aesthetics.

Docking of two coatings located at the same height

Depending on how the preparatory work was carried out after laying the floor coverings, two situations may arise. First, there is no difference between the levels of coverage. The second is one of the decorative coatings after laying above the other. The first option is the best.

Having determined the joint line, it is necessary to proceed with laying the decorative coating. It is better to start with laying ceramic tiles. In this case, work begins precisely from the junction line. If you start laying tiles from any other place, then approaching the joint line, you will have to cut the tiles. This will emphasize the transition between the tile and the laminated board, which is highly undesirable. The laminated board is also laid from the joint line.

After laying decorative floor coverings, it will be necessary to close the gap, which is necessarily formed between the tile and the laminate. If the installation work was done carefully, then the width of this gap will not exceed a few millimeters. Therefore, it will be enough to treat it with mastic, silicone sealant or construction foam.

In the end, you get a neat, almost imperceptible (if decorative material of about the same color was used) joint. But, if you need to replace one of the coatings, you will have to dismantle both. This is the only drawback of this method of joining laminated boards and ceramic tiles without a threshold.

It is fashionable to make curved joints, to create which you need to arm yourself with cutting templates. Moreover, templates for cutting tiles cannot be used for laminate and vice versa.

You need to start work by creating a curved line template. Experts recommend drawing a curved line in such a way that you do not have to cut off small corners of decorative flooring. It is very difficult to do this accurately. After creating the template, you need to lay a solid ceramic tile on the floor. Then, according to the templates, you need to cut off pieces that form a curved line.

In order not to get confused, these pieces can be numbered. Next, you need to put the pieces in their places and look at the result. If it suits you, then you can start laying. The adhesive solution is applied in such a way that it extends 5-7 cm beyond the tile.

After the glue dries, you can proceed to the next step in creating a curved joint without a threshold. If the result does not suit you, then you should think about the advisability of a curved joint. Maybe a straight joint would look much better?

After finishing work with ceramic tiles, you need to start trimming the laminated board. In this case, the trimming of each lamella is carried out separately. The resulting joint can be sealed with silicone or a rail.

But, due to the fact that the wood, which is part of the laminated board, under the influence of the external environment, can expand or contract during operation, defects may appear at the junction. The gap between the floor coverings, which after installation was only a few millimeters, can increase to a centimeter.

The second option is that the laminated board may swell. Both the first and second defects will spoil the appearance of the flooring, and the joint will have to be redone. To avoid this, it is advisable to use a cork compensator when making a joint.

Using a cork compensator

You can make the joint between the laminated board and ceramic tiles invisible using a cork compensator, which is mounted in the laminate.

As for the design, the compensator resembles a directly pressed cork. This material is issued in the form of sheets. The consumer himself can cut a strip of the required width. To do this, it will be enough to arm yourself with a ruler, a pencil and a sharp knife.

Unlike rubber elements and silicone, the cork expansion joint will not harden during operation. Since the laminated board shrinks and expands throughout its life, the expansion joint must also remain elastic.

In addition to elasticity, expansion joints made from cork are resilient. If the laminated board first expanded and then narrowed, then the cork expansion joint will take its original shape after compression. Rubber elements cannot boast of such quality.

It is also worth noting the natural origin of cork. This allows the use of cork expansion joints in residential areas. The cork is well painted in any color, it can be tinted.

Docking of coatings having different heights

Due to the fact that the laminated board and ceramic tiles have different thicknesses, a height difference may form at the junction. The situation is aggravated by the fact that ceramic tiles are laid on an adhesive composition, the thickness of which is several centimeters. And if an underfloor heating engineering system is being installed, then the floor height after installation rises by 5-7 cm. What to do in such cases?

Alternatively, you can make a step, which will serve as a transition from one decorative coating to another. Of course, this option is not optimal. But with a height difference exceeding 7-10 cm, there are simply no other options.

Conclusion

Making an attractive joint between ceramic tiles and a laminated board without the use of a threshold is not an easy task. This is due to the fact that ceramic tile is a rigid material that is not prone to deformation. Laminate can contract or expand as the temperature changes.

If the joint is made rigidly, then the laminated board is deformed during operation. Therefore, the joint line is sealed with silicone, rubber or cork compensators are installed. Unfortunately, rubber and silicone retain elasticity and resilience for a fairly short period, which cannot be said about cork.

Modern designers when decorating rooms (entrance hall, living room, kitchen) often suggest using combined floor coverings. This option is especially typical for hallways, as well as when combined. The combination of laminate and ceramic tiles allows for a unique design and zoning of the room. In addition, it visually enlarges it. At the same time, it is customary to lay tiles on areas that are most prone to pollution, and laminate on the rest of the room. However, often there is a problem of combining two floor coverings. This is especially true in cases where there is a difference in floor level between adjacent rooms at the junctions. Let's figure out together how to correctly seal the joint between the laminate and the tile.

How to close a seam and make a transition

The traditional option for joining coatings is used between the corridor (hallway) and adjacent rooms. For the sake of convenience and practicality of operation, the flooring in the corridor often protrudes.

Between living room and bedroom, kitchen and hallway

Usually in the living room and bedroom. Docking of laminated panels and tiles takes place in the doorway. A similar situation is possible in the kitchen itself, when the total area is divided into two separate areas: working and dining. The first is covered with tiles, and the second with laminate. When combining a kitchen with a living room or dining room, the combination of two floor coverings allows you to distinguish between zones.

At the junction of the bathroom to the corridor, a high wooden threshold is often installed. This familiar device allows you to stabilize the microclimate in these rooms. In this case, the question of joining the two coatings simply disappears.

The combination of materials of different characteristics provides an excellent opportunity to get practical and durable. Each material performs a feasible function without being subjected to excessive loads. The only negative is the laboriousness of joining the two coatings and the choice of design for the transition path.

Options for joints of ceramic and laminated coatings

The combination of laminate and ceramic tiles can be done using the usual cutting of the joint of the coatings along the border with fastening to.

A variant with the use of prefabricated structures, special fasteners and nozzles is also possible. The choice of one or another method will determine the external attractiveness of the floor, as well as the life of such a composition.

When installing laminate and tiles, an urgent question arises: how best to close the seam. Today, there are several options for connecting ceramic tiles and laminate boards:

using decorative thresholds;
butt to butt;
podium installation.

The use of decorative thresholds

One-level joints between different ones are quite often performed with sills or moldings. The sills are made of ordinary aluminum, wood or various types of plastic. In terms of strength and resistance to abrasion, aluminum is the leader. However, this material does not always fit into the design of the room. Therefore, it is better to make a beautiful joint better from a plastic or metal threshold.

The use of a threshold is absolutely justified in cases where both materials are placed at different heights. Plastic thresholds can be matched in color to the tile or laminate board. They will hide all the flaws and create a smooth and neat transition from laminate to tile. And most importantly - the option of docking with the threshold is the simplest.

Most often, thresholds are straight when a seam is formed in the opening with an interior door, but there are also curved transitions. When choosing a threshold, remember that straight configurations are suitable in cases where the transition from laminate to tile is straight.

With angular, semicircular or other forms of transition, it is necessary to purchase special thresholds that can take any shape, that is, bend. Such a model is called a flexible (curvilinear) profile. These thresholds are made of plastic, but on a rubber base.

Aluminum and plastic profiles can be bendable, but wooden thresholds do not bend, so they require an even connection between laminate and tile. It is more reliable and easier to attach them to the surface of the rough base on self-tapping screws or dowels. In this case, it is even possible to achieve that the threshold is placed on the same level with the coatings on both sides.

Thresholds are prefabricated (consist of a removable lining and fasteners) and solid, which are attached directly to the base of the floor or with the help of an adhesive.

Allocate a hidden type of fastening, when the fastening is disguised as a decorating strip, and open, when all fastening elements are visible.

In this case, the thresholds perform a protective function for the edges of the floor materials. Without this element, the edges of the material quickly begin to peel off, and dirt accumulates in the cracks.

Modern thresholds are able to perform additional functions. For example, in some models, the front side is sheathed with a special material or ribbed coating, due to which the threshold does not slip.

If the difference in height between the finishing materials does not exceed 10 mm, then the decorative threshold will provide a perfect smoothing of the transition: it just needs to be placed at a slight slope. In this case, the thresholds should have a rounded shape. Such a model will eliminate the step defect better than all the others.

Docking without a nut

The joint between the laminate and the tile is made without a threshold if it has a curvilinear shape. Such technology requires special accuracy and pedantry in work. Materials are attached to the subfloor at the same level. To seal the joint, mastics, silicone-based sealants, building foam are used. These compounds can fill the seams of various widths, depths and shapes. A significant disadvantage of this method is the fact that, if necessary, you will have to dismantle the entire joint. In addition, certain skills will be required when working with such materials.

Cork compensator is often used to fill the joints between tiles and laminate. This material looks neat and beautiful, provides a harmonious combination of ceramics and on one surface. The only drawback of the cork compensator is that it is not able to hide even the smallest roughness of the joint. In order for the joint to look perfect, it is necessary that it be perfectly even in depth and width.

Device podiums

Features of connection technology

To install a decorative threshold, special skills and abilities are not required. Two holes with a diameter of 6 mm are drilled in the space of the doorway for installing dowels. Usually they are sold complete with a threshold. The rail must be adjusted to the dimensions of the doorway: it is cut with a metal saw.

Self-tapping caps are inserted into the finished holes on the rails. All together forms the so-called hidden mount.

Self-tapping screws are distributed in places of dowels driven into the threshold, then the threshold is carefully hammered. It is important not to damage the threshold coating, so it is better to use a rubber mallet or a soft pad.

Laminate panels should not be placed close to the decorative threshold support. We should not forget about the compensation gap (5-10 mm), which is necessary during changes in temperature and moisture. This rule only applies to laminate, not tiles.

Setting flexible thresholds

For the design of curved joints, flexible thresholds were invented (for example, STEP FLEX). They are made of soft plastic or rubber, and they are able to eliminate differences up to 15 mm. The installation of such thresholds is thought out even at the stage of laying the flooring. At the very beginning of the docking, the size of the seam is adjusted, sufficient to insert the threshold support. Then it is heated along the entire length with a building hair dryer. As a result, it will take the desired shape.

The flexible threshold contains two separate parts: a groove clip and a decorative insert. First, the first part is inserted into the seam, and after heating, the second part is snapped into place. Next, the threshold is allowed to freeze. After a few minutes, it becomes stiff and holds its shape securely.

Butt-to-butt fit

To adjust the transition butt to butt, the performer must have filigree skills and master the technique of work. Even minimal differences are unacceptable here. Laminate and tile are carefully cut, while removing all burrs. The maximum interval between coatings should be no more than 10 mm. Next, the joint is filled with sealant or other polymer composition. After 2-3 years, this seam is recommended to be updated.

The tile must be mounted in such a way that its edges protrude slightly beyond the joining border. Laminate should only be installed after the adhesive has completely dried. It is mounted on a tile with an overlap. Instructions for making a joint without a nut:

Mark the seam line.
Cut off excess material carefully so that cracks do not appear.
Partially dismantle the floor.
Cut off the interfering tile layer (grinder with a diamond blade).
Clean the surface of debris and glue.
Install the laminate boards in place, after cutting off the substrate of the desired width from them from the transition line.
Treat the material with sandpaper.
Seal the joint with sealant or mastic.

Joint of laminate and tiles: video

conclusions

In conclusion, it should be added that in practice the use of additional thresholds at the junction is not a very convenient option. The floor is more difficult to clean, and in addition, it interferes with unhindered movement and can be tripped over. Also, that laminate is usually laid in a floating way, so the use of various sealants to fill the joints is not entirely acceptable. These compounds can spoil the decorative layer.

The question of how to properly arrange the junction of tiles and laminate quite often arises during repairs. In addition to some technical points that you will need to pay attention to, each case may differ depending on the type of premises and the design approach to its design.

Peculiarities

Usually the need to design a beautiful and practical transition from one material to another arises when designing transitions between rooms. For example, in the kitchen, in order not to spoil the laminate in the corridor with moisture, tiles are laid. Less often, various floor coverings are used to divide a large room into zones: tiles are laid in places with high humidity or the risk of mechanical damage, and laminate is placed in other areas.

Accordingly, the junction of tiles and laminate must be closed so that it does not spoil the appearance of the premises, does not crumble and does not collect dust, sand and other small debris.

So, connecting different types of flooring has several main advantages.

First, because each material is in its place and performs its intended function, it wears out less, which increases its service life and strength.
Secondly, this design gives the owner of the premises the opportunity to save on more expensive materials, giving preference to a product that costs less.
Thirdly, with the proper design approach, the transition from one floor covering to another within the same apartment can be a stylish and unusual solution.

The main disadvantages are the difficulty of joining two types of flooring and possible difficulties in choosing the right color.

Floor types

There are many types of flooring available on the market today. All of them have their own characteristics, maintenance rules, and if the owner decides to use a combined floor in his apartment, then during the repair he will need to take into account the specifics of various materials.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is made by pressing high pressure hardboard or chipboard with a backing and a top film layer.

It successfully imitates wooden parquet, stone or metal.

Ceramic tile

Tiled flooring is usually used in the bathroom and toilet, in the kitchen and, a little less often, in the hallway.

It is quite resistant to abrasion, easily tolerates high humidity and does not react with expansion to elevated temperatures.

This resistance to mechanical and chemical damage gives the tile a special durability. Often ceramic tiles (especially when water gets on them) can be very slippery.

PVC tiles

In terms of composition, this type of flooring is largely similar to linoleum and consists of similar materials. PVC tiles do not require complex laying conditions, almost do not slip, are able to provide very good sound insulation and, importantly, are moisture resistant and do not crack. Even in the event of mechanical or chemical damage to one or more tiles, a complete replacement of the coating is not required: it is enough to eliminate the damaged areas and lay new ones in their place.

At a relatively low price, PVC tiles also have some disadvantages: insufficient environmental friendliness and instability to chemicals.

Porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware flooring is characterized by increased strength, almost does not scratch. Porcelain stoneware is resistant to a variety of chemicals and withstands high temperatures. More dense slabs of this material are able to withstand the weight of the car, which allows it to be used even in the garage.

It is clear that these are not all finishes. However, the materials listed above for flooring are most often used in rooms with different types of flooring, and they usually cause the need to design joints when moving from one material to another.

How to connect correctly?

To properly join two types of floor coverings (so that the joints do not clog with dirt, dust and small debris and do not make residents stumble), you need to follow a few simple rules.

First of all, joining different materials will become much easier if they are of the same thickness (it can be quite difficult to choose this taking into account the colors, patterns and desired material), or at least not very different.

If the coatings in any case have a drop, then you can remove it (if it fluctuates up to 10 mm) with the help of a threshold.

The main way to combine a combination of laminate and ceramic tiles is to attach materials and, if necessary, cut out the desired shape.

Modern methods

When combining multi-level types of flooring, the owner who decides to carry out repairs may experience some difficulties in combining them.

Butt jointing is possible if both materials have the same thickness and texture.

However, if you want to combine laminate and tile flooring within the same apartment, it is very difficult to make a seamless connection, since the coating often turns out to be multi-level.

If the height difference between the two materials does not exceed 10 mm, then you can safely try to seal the connecting seam with a straight threshold.

It will smooth out this discrepancy and can become a stylish design solution: decorative thresholds are made of wood, aluminum and plastic, and their texture often resembles wood, stone or metal.

If the difference reaches 15 mm, then it would be best to use a flexible threshold. It is made of plastic with a rubber base, and its direct installation should be carried out at the time of laying the coatings. At the same time, the threshold itself is heated with a building hair dryer, which gives it the opportunity to take any necessary shape.

In the doorway

It is not difficult to make a fastening of the docking threshold in the doorway. At the junction of ceramic tiles and laminate with an interval of 10 to 15 cm, holes of approximately 6 mm in diameter must be made using a drill.

The threshold itself is cut in accordance with the width of the opening, and dowels are driven into the holes, which, as a rule, come with the threshold.

Insert the self-tapping screw heads into the central groove of the nut rail, at the same distance as the dowels, align and hammer the nut into place.

Varieties of separators

Separators are of various types. Their choice, in turn, depends on the personal preferences of the owner of the coating, the height of the difference between different coatings and some other factors.

Transitional threshold

The use of a transitional threshold when connecting two different materials is the simplest and most common option at the moment. The sills differ in color, shape and texture, if desired, you can find a sill that blends perfectly with tiles and laminate.

They are suitable for coatings of different widths and easily hide errors.

Usually such sills are made of plastic, wood or aluminum. At the same time, aluminum products are the most durable of the three options. The tree is quickly erased and retains an attractive appearance for a little more than three years, plastic completely becomes unusable after an average of a year and a half.

The sills can be equipped with hidden fasteners. Then they will be fixed on the floor with the help of a special fastening bar that will hold them on itself.

However, it is not always necessary for the owner to use a hard and straight threshold. If the design solution includes curved lines and semicircles, then a flexible threshold can be used to join the laminate and tiles.

This type of docking profile has two more subspecies: plastic and metal flexible profiles. It is important to note that in the case of using the second type of connector, the thickness of both floor coverings should be approximately the same, otherwise you will have to remove a small layer from one of the materials.

Mounting foam or sealant

Silicone, mounting foam or sealant is usually used if the transition between the two materials is too wide and deep, and the grout cannot cope and eliminate it. Foam or sealant is poured into the hole and filled. After that, it is necessary to wait for the substance to solidify and get rid of its excess on the surface with a knife. From above it would be nice to cover the remaining strip with grout for ceramics.

It is important to remember that both materials must be the same width in order to apply this method, otherwise the appearance of the transition will look uneven and unattractive.

Also, during the repair, it is worth showing special care, because partial dismantling and correction of the mistakes made will subsequently be impossible.

Cork compensator

Cork compensator is a self-adhesive strip of cork that is attached to the edges of the laminate and ceramic tiles. This type of separator is flexible and soft, which allows it to compensate for the movements of the coatings relative to each other, without damaging either the tile or the laminate.

The cork compensator is installed directly at the junction of two coatings.

Being treated with a hermetic composition, it is able to completely prevent moisture from entering inside.

Liquid stopper

Liquid cork will not crack, and due to its structure, it is able to seal even small joints between different materials without damaging the finishing surface.

The width of the seam that the liquid plug can fill ranges from 5 to 15 mm. It is simply impossible to fill a smaller width, because the liquid cork consists of rather large crumbs, and in the case of a larger width, the gap will simply be sloppy and unreliable.

How to fix?

Depending on which joint design option will be chosen by the owner, there are several basic ways to fix the tile and laminated coating at the convergence point.

threshold

First of all, you need to install floor coverings and dock them. The gap between them should not be too narrow (so that a separator can be placed in it), but not too wide.

Holes are drilled in the floor at the transition point at a distance of about 10-15 cm from each other, into which plastic dowels must be placed.

After that, the threshold itself is superimposed on the butt line. It is fixed with self-tapping screws.

Sometimes, if a threshold with a hidden mount is used, a mounting plate is used instead of self-tapping screws. It is installed on the floor, and then its fasteners snap into place on the nut itself.

In addition, there are options for sills that are installed without drilling.

For example, it will be enough to cut a variety of flexible metal profiles to the required size and glue them to the junction. The main thing is not to forget to remove excess glue from the surface that protrudes on the edge of the nut.

Sealant or mounting foam

To begin with, a joint line is marked, which the filler will hide, and the tile is placed so that its front edge protrudes slightly beyond this line. This is necessary so that you can later cut off the excess length and thereby adjust the dimensions of the tile as accurately as possible.

Then the junction is cleaned of construction and household dust, and a laminate is laid on the floor. Its height and width must be adjusted to match the dimensions of the tile.

Finally, the junction is filled with the chosen means: sealant, mounting foam, less often - glue or grout for the seam.

This method is more time consuming, but allows you to connect two types of flooring without drilling.

Cork compensator

The ends of the two materials are ground and adjusted. It is necessary to rid them of a variety of chips and cracks, after which the tile and laminate are located as close to each other as possible.

When the first part of the work is done, the cork compensator, using, for example, a screwdriver, is carefully pushed into the gap between the materials. Finally, the joint of the two materials and the visible part of the compensator should be treated with a sealant to prevent moisture from penetrating into it.

Liquid stopper

To begin with, the joint between the two materials is cleaned of dust and dirt. Sometimes the gap is pre-coated with a special primer recommended by the manufacturer to facilitate the pouring process. Then the cork is poured inside, and its excess is carefully removed with a spatula. After the composition has hardened, the seam must be wiped with a damp cloth.

How to choose the right option?

When choosing an option for designing a joint between a tile and a laminate, it is worth considering the features of the various separators and the features of the rooms between which the transition is made, or - if the materials replace each other within the same room - the appointment of different zones.

The threshold that separates the floor coverings does a great job of hiding where the two materials meet, although the transition from laminate to ceramic tile will look quite dramatic.

What is important, the thresholds help to hide and soften the transition from one material to another and, thanks to a large number of different design solutions, colors and textures, fit perfectly into any room. Best of all, the sills are suitable for the design of the transition in doorways.

It is worth remembering that the sills are of two types: straight (more resistant to mechanical stress) and flexible (allowing you to make round, wavy transitions between materials). The second type is suitable for zoning a room and will give originality to the appearance of the floor.

As for the material for the connection, it is also worth paying attention to.

For example, wood is suitable for almost any room, as it has a wide range of colors and a stylish, classic look in its own way. But at the same time, it is quite rigid and is only suitable for straight sills.

The same problem haunts aluminum products, which are extremely durable and wear-resistant, able to withstand mechanical stress.

A much more elastic option is plastic, with the help of which the owner of the apartment is able to decorate the floor with various undulating transitions.

In addition, it has a huge selection of colors and textures, which allows you to choose a threshold that is ideal for any room and combined with any color of the floor covering. Finally, plastic, supplemented with rubber materials, is the most resistant to elevated temperatures, which allows it to bend and take the desired shape painlessly.

Installing two floor coverings without a threshold is a reliable option, although quite risky.

During the installation process, you need to be very careful, since the slightest mistake and inaccuracy can spoil the appearance of the joint between the materials, make it uneven and ugly. There are several options here: a one-piece joint (installed with grout), an almost invisible joint (ideal for places with a small area of \u200b\u200bcontact of materials), a joint using a cork compensator.

In any apartment, even a one-room apartment, there are at least four rooms with different functionality, which is the main criterion for choosing the finishing floor option. And if the coatings are different everywhere, the question of aesthetic combination of their boundaries inevitably arises. In doorways, the threshold solves this problem. But what about in studio-type apartments that do not have partitions and internal doors? Indeed, in them different types of coatings are used for zoning space.

And in general, combined floors are in great fashion today, so the topic: how to arrange the joint between tiles and is very relevant. In the article we will look at what such a floor might look like, and talk about ways to combine these two coatings.

The floors in the hallway are most exposed to abrasion and pollution, especially in the front door area. Therefore, it is quite understandable why the owners tend to put it on the floor in this room, or at least make an island out of it at the entrance. The latter option is more often performed when there is no entrance hall in the apartment (in studios), or in private houses, where the entrance is not a small entrance hall, but a large lobby.

There are different options in which the option of sharing tiles and laminate in the same room is possible.

Tiles are an expensive material, with labor-intensive and also expensive installation technology. Therefore, in order to save money, homeowners decide to combine it with a laminate. This is not only practical, but with the right approach to choosing textures and colors, it can also become a good interior solution. Both materials are good in their own way, the main thing - do not try to join them in the middle of the hallway in the same way as it is done in openings, through. This would be an unforgivable mistake.

On a note! If we talk about abrasion resistance, then for a laminate this indicator is quite sufficient to serve for a long time in the hallway. But if, for one reason or another, you decide to combine it with tiles, we advise you to take not an ordinary tile, which can be scratched and chipped off, but. It is more dense and durable, and accordingly, it will last longer. As for the appearance of modern porcelain stoneware, it has as many options for facial design as ceramics - if not more.

Tile plus laminate for the kitchen

It is unlikely that the owner of a typical apartment with a six-meter kitchen will come up with a combination of flooring. It makes sense to think about such a decision if it is a large room in which the kitchen is combined with a dining or living room, or there is a need to visually separate the kitchen area from the living area.

Such a design, if well thought out, not only looks very advantageous in the interior, but also provides a number of practical advantages.

Cooking area is used the most: to create a three-course dinner, the hostess has to “wind kilometers” from the refrigerator to the stove, and from the stove to the sink.
As a result, the floor covering wears out very quickly. if it is, for example, or even a tree from inexpensive species. Laminate above the 32nd class is quite resistant to abrasion, but it has a significant disadvantage. It is slippery, which is even dangerous for the kitchen.
That is why tiles are needed in the working area, preferably porcelain stoneware, on which any heavy object can be dropped. The main thing is to choose not polished plates, but anti-slip ones, with a relief on the front surface - it is more difficult to wash it, but you will not slip.

We present the most successful design options for a combined floor in a studio kitchen.

The kitchen floor is tile and laminate.

These photographs show that the designers here sought not only to make the work area more functional, but also to create an accent in the interior precisely due to the flooring. In our opinion, they succeeded. It remains only to find out what techniques you need to use in order for you to get a harmonious design.

How to make a beautiful cover

In order not to spoil the impression of the work done, it is very important to beautifully draw the border of the junction of two different materials, which are laminate and tile. But before it comes to that, you have yet to buy them. A good choice of material is the key to successful design. Therefore, to begin with, we will give you some tips that we hope will be useful to you.

Combination rules

Before you go shopping, make a mini-design project for yourself, which will not only give a visual idea of the future coating, but also help you correctly calculate the amount of material needed.

Below are two variants of a similar design, which is a combination of minimalism and loft. In one photo, tiles are combined with natural wood, and in the other, they are combined with laminate. Agree, the second option looks no worse, but in operation such a coating will be more reliable.

On a note! The advantage of a laminate board over natural wood is that it is practically not subject to linear expansion. This means that cracks will not appear in the coating.

The unusual shape of the tile will make the tile-laminate coating more interesting.- for example, hexagonal, as well as a contrasting color or pattern that goes well with the texture of wood. Alternatively, tiles can imitate the surface of stone or concrete, which we actually see in the examples above.
Mosaic tiles look great in combination with the wooden texture of the laminate., which, by the way, can decorate not only the floor in the kitchen area, but also be duplicated on the apron of the working wall. The main thing is that the format of the tile should correspond to the size of the room as a whole.
In order for the overall picture to be harmonious when using multi-color tiles, it is necessary that at least one of its shades matches the color of the laminate. So the floor covering will produce a feeling of a single whole.

And one more tip: if you want to make the junction line of two coatings curvilinear, it is necessary that its shape is somehow duplicated in the interior. It can be anything: the configuration of a false ceiling or a lamp, the shape of chairs, a pattern on textiles, a door arch.