Cork transition between tile and wood
I am installing tile and hardword floors in a new house and would like to put a cork strip between the two – the hight of each is the same and I would prefer not to put a ‘bump’ of a wood transition.
I can’t find anyone who carries these strips though? Neither the tile of wood floor suppiers have heard of this – am I crazy? Anyone know what I am talking about or where to get these?
Can I just cut some cork out of sheet stock?
Replies
What kind of cork strip are you talking about?
Is this 1" wide, 1 ft wide?
And what is the purpose of it? Instead of having one transistion you now have two.
If the levels are the same caulk to match the grout is often used to transition from tile to wood.
what I have seen and this mind you is from retail store applications is a 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide strip. The purpose is to allow the different flooring to expand and contract with that buffer - so basically the same as caulk but a little neater.
I used to do retail design and we always spec'ed this treatment and the commercial contractors always knew what we were talking about.
I was looking to carry this over to residential and as I said it sounds like it is not very common for this application athough a number of flooring books (both tile and wood) note it. None have a resource.
Caulk may be my next best bet!
what happens when one or both woodfloors expand? will it push up the cork? I have seen flat t-bars (wood, metal) that are installed between expansion joints. Caulking seems so messy and will get dirty after a while.
Can both floors lift at the edges? That could create a safety hazard. Can you move the expansion joints where there is no danger?
Bangor Cork co. offers 1/4" thick rolls of sheet cork up to 72" in length and a variety of colors. Just keep in mind that a 1/4" expansion joint might not cut it depending on the orientation and type of hardwood you install.