T molding is used when transitioning between two floors of equal height or within ⅛” in each other’s height. It is a type of floor molding that helps streamline your home’s flow when two different types of floors meet. It serves as a transition space between these rooms and floors, creating a seamless flow between different textures and styles.
Full Answer
What is T molding used for?
T-Molding (a.k.a. Expansion Molding) The T-Molding is used as a bridge between two floors of approximately equal height. T-moldings are typically used in doorways without thresholds (with the same flooring on each side of the doorway) or in L-shaped rooms or hallways, when you want to change the direction of the planks.
How do you use T molding to connect two floors?
Use T-molding to visually connect two adjoining floors of the same height. Measure the exact width of the doorway between the floors. If your T-molding kit contains a metal track, measure and cut the metal track with tin snips. Measure and cut the T-molding strip with a power saw for a crisp, clean cut.
How to install T molding for hardwood floor transition?
How to Install T-Molding as Hardwood Floor Transition Molding. 1 Reach the Transition Point. Before transitioning with the T-molding, you have to complete the first room’s hardwood flooring installation. Measure, ... 2 Measure and Cut. 3 Test the T-Molding Against the Plank. 4 Affix the T-Molding. 5 Add Finish Nails.
How do you measure for T molding?
Measure the exact width of the doorway between the floors. If your T-molding kit contains a metal track, measure and cut the metal track with tin snips. Measure and cut the T-molding strip with a power saw for a crisp, clean cut.
Where Do You Use a T Molding?
Hardwood and laminate floors require at least a 1¼ inch (3.2 cm) gap to allow for natural expansion and contraction due to seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. Covering this gap to create a trip-free, transition that is visually appealing is the job of T-molding.
What is a T molding?
A “T” Molding is a transition piece that covers the gap between the floors of two rooms, usually a doorway. It gets its name from the side profile because it’s shaped like a capital T.
What happens if you put too much T molding on the floor?
A molding that’s too high will make unsightly gaps and a tripping hazard. Always leave a gap between the base of the molding and the floors on each side. Don’t fill the void with caulk or glue. The voids allow for expansion and contraction between the T-molding and the floor.
What is square nose molding?
Square Nose Molding – Also called an End Cap, when the flooring runs up to a vertical object where a base molding or quarter round molding won’t work such as a hearth, sliding glass doors or oversized thresholds, use this.
What is a reducer molding?
Reducer Moldings – Used to transition from a hardwood floor to a lower floor such as vinyl or low pile carpet.
Why is it important to plan moldings and place them in your flooring?
For this reason, it's important to plan you moldings and place them in your flooring is such a way that they compliment the boards they are touching, or match them closely.
How much space between T molding?
When connecting two floors or two rooms via a doorway, leave a 1¼ inch (3.2 cm.) gap for the T-Molding. Be sure to purchase the correct height and width of the molding. A molding that’s too high will make unsightly gaps and a tripping hazard. Always leave a gap between the base of the molding and the floors on each side. Don’t fill the void with caulk or glue. The voids allow for expansion and contraction between the T-molding and the floor.
How to install T molding?
Position the T-molding where it will attach to make sure the cut you’ve made is correct and that it fits flush against the plank. You should have the first plank cut to be installed in the second room cut and ready to install. Hold its grooved end up to the other side of the T-molding, checking for a flush fit. If the transition point is off, it will adversely affect the whole room.
How to make a transition with a T molding?
Satisfied that the transition will be accurate, run a bead of wood glue along the corner of the T-molding where the vertical portion meets the horizontal portion. Run the second bead of glue along the same side of the vertical portion, only on the bottom of it. Press the T-molding firmly against the set floor plank. Make sure the T-molding pressed evenly against the plank.
Where do you put nail set on a T?
While nails set into the middle of the vertical portion of the "T" don’t grab as well due to the groove opposite them, you may place a few finish nails, lightly hammered, into the side of the " T" just below the upper lip.
How to measure for T molding?
1. Measure the exact width of the doorway between the floors. If your T-molding kit contains a metal track, measure and cut the metal track with tin snips.
How to put metal track on a T-molding?
Snap the metal track onto the bottom "T" strip of the T-molding. Press the track on so that the T-molding is securely in place.
What to do if your flooring is too tall for T molding?
If the height of your flooring is too tall for the tallest T-molding, you can glue a thin strip of wood such as lauan plywood into the gap between the two floors.
What is transition molding?
Transition molding, or T-molding, is a T-shaped strip of wood or wood product that covers the narrow gap in the doorway between two adjacent floors. Some types of floors, particularly hardwood and laminate flooring, require a 1 1/4-inch expansion gap between the two floors.
How to cut a T molding?
Place the T-molding securely on the saw's table and against the fence, making sure it sits tightly without any rocking movement. Hold it firmly in place with your hand away from the cutting area, squeeze the trigger to turn on the saw, and firmly but slowly lower the blade onto the molding for a smooth and straight cut, ready to fit. For T-molding that comes with a channel-type holding bracket, the channel can then be cut, slightly shorter, in the same manner as the molding.
What do you need to add to a floor when installing flooring?
Wood filler. When installing flooring, you will often need to add a T-molding or some other appropriate trim to make the transition between two rooms. T-moldings provide the floor with an expansion gap and it gives you a professional edging where it meets another type of flooring. They're available in different materials such as wood, aluminum, ...
Can you cut crosscut molding with a miter saw?
You can then mark the measurement on the molding. Make sure that you have a fine-tooth crosscut blade on your miter saw and not a ripping blade as it would most likely tear the molding. If a blade needs to be installed, unplug the saw from the wall first, then remove the blade and replace it with the appropriate one.
Step 1
Take measurements of the place you will be using the molding so you know how long of a T-molding to cut. This could mean measuring the opening of the door or entryway to another room or along the place where your floor is transitioning.
Step 2
Use a jointer to flatten the edges before cutting your board or rip the edges on a table saw, making sure the rip fence is parallel with the blade. A jointer is a tool used in woodworking to smooth and flatten out rough edges of wood; it has an infeed and outfeed, a fence to keep wood in place and a cutter to smooth out the surface.
Step 3
Choose your tools. One option is to use a table saw with a molding head cutter, a special attachment that allows the saw to make rounded precision cuts necessary for molding. Another option is to use a router, which is a special hand-held or power cutting tool that is shaped to allow you to make grooves when doing woodworking projects.
Step 4
Make the cut. Pass the wood into the router on its edge or face, holding it against the fence. The height of the router bit affects cut shape as does the distance from the fence. The farther the distance, the longer and wider the T-molding will become.
What is a T molding?
T-Molding ( a.k.a. Expansion Molding) The T-Molding is used as a bridge between two floors of approximately equal height. T-moldings are typically used in doorways without thresholds (with the same flooring on each side of the doorway) or in L-shaped rooms or hallways, when you want to change the direction of the planks.
What is slim trim?
The Slim Trim is a low-profile multi-function transition strip that can work as a Reducer, T-molding or End Cap and is available for many brands.
What is a VersaEdge stair nosing?
The VersaEdge stair nosing is a unique and adaptable stair transition. VersaEdge works with a variety of floor thicknesses and can accommodate overlap, lock down or flush mount installation methods. It works equally well for an entire stairway (flush mount) or a single step like a sunken room or landing (overlap).
Where to use end caps?
End Caps are typically used at exterior doorways, around fireplace hearths, at sliding patio doors, at closet door tracks and next to carpeting.
Why are transition strips needed?
Why They Are Required. Transition strips are necessary for a variety of reasons, for example: (1) To terminate one flooring next to another type of flooring - such as in a doorway from a hardwood floor in one room to carpet in another room . (2) To change directions of plank flooring such as in an L-shaped hallway.
What is a T molding?
T-Moldings are used for even height surfaces. For rooms larger than 30 ft. long laminate installation, you will need to have a transition molding from any floating floor to stabilize the planks. T-moldings are also commonly used in doorways and hallway transitions.
What is quarter round molding?
Quarter round moldings are a versatile perimeter molding style that adds a finishing touch, while covering the expansion gap. Use this floor molding as an addition to a wall base, around cabinets and at the base of steps. Quarter round moldings can be color matched to your flooring for a uniform look.
What is end cap molding?
An end cap molding has several uses, such as transitioning from laminate to carpet, fireplaces and exterior doors. With one raised side, it caps off the flooring allowing protection from debris and damage.
What is wall base molding?
Wall base moldings are a nice decorative touch to add around the edges of your room. Covering the expansion gap, this molding style provides a sophisticated finish in a variety of colors to match your floor. Using glue or finishing nails, you can easily fasten this molding to the wall.
Does molding come with a warranty?
Some of our moldings come with warranties, so you can have peace of mind after your installation! You can view the detailed warranties by the links below.
