Flooring dilemma for new construction entryway

13 years ago

We are planning to put tile in our entryway transitioning to hardwood into the living room and kitchen. The foyer is not too large but we do live in the TX hill country and there WILL be dirt. I am concerned about the transition wooden "strip" making a bump between the 2 surfaces. The flooring people told me they couldn't do a mosaic transition. I'm just looking for some ideas or wondering if we should just do hardwood in the entry as well. The pictures aren't great, but will at least give you and idea. Suggestions, please :) Thanks!

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PRO

Brickwood Builders, Inc.

13 years ago

Here is the picture of one way to tie the two together. This is in the middle of an office floor so just take the concept - you would break yours at logical points between your foyer and other rooms. Also note that this is a floor "floated" over concrete and is made so it can be removed easily if needed - you would not see the screw heads that are visible in our floor. This is all level, there is no difference in the height of the tile floor and the wood floor. We have done this in homes as well, just don't have any pictures of it. The strip that you use can be up to about 5" wide to make a nice transition. Also note that sometimes you have to site create a tongue or goove on some of the pieces - it can be done, but flooring guys don't like to.

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Comments (10)

Naomi Mullet
13 years ago
I would not be afraid of the transition strip. I think the tile is a more practical option in an entrance because of durability.
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
I would use a transition but not use the kind you are describing above. When we bump wood next to tile, we go around the outside edge of the tile with a wood strip that "encases it" and then bump the tile into that. It is totally flat and is stained the same as the rest of the floor. I will try to get you an example picture when I get to the office.
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Betty We
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions and thanks Deborah, for taking the time to send the picture! This is more what I envisioned. I'll take your suggestion to the flooring place and see what they can do. This is really beautiful!
Sally Fenton
13 years ago
I agree, the flat transition with the wood floor encase meant would not only look good but provide the protection you are looking for at the entry. We have a craftsman style home, here is a pic of the entry.
qam999
12 years ago
Wood and tile can be butted together in a completely flush and flat manner without the need for ANY transition strip. It just requires skilled installers who are willing and able to do the work of figuring thicknesses and building up the subfloor where necessary. I had this done in my remodel and it looks great and is super practical.
PRO
MEC
12 years ago
Some mosaic ideas that can be used for the foyer

Contemporary Dining Room · More Info

Marble Mosaic Rugs and Medallions · More Info

Marble Mosaic Rugs and Medallions · More Info

Custom Work Assignments by MEC · More Info
rocketjcat
12 years ago
We have hardwood in our front entry because its very open and I wanted the entry to blend in seamlessly with the open spaces. Our front entry is used maybe 20% of the time. I use a pretty round 5' off white rug there that's able to thrown in the washer. The side entry is tiled as that's the one we use most often coming in from garage and lawn and the normal entrance for workmen etc. to access mechanicals. The tile butts against the wood floor with no transition strip. These 2 different solutions based on usage work for us.
Laurie Hollern
4 months ago
I have the same flooring dilemma. I have a mudroom entrance that I would like to install luxury vinyl flooring due to moisture from the outside. There will be a transition to a tile kitchen floor. Any ideas?
amystoller
4 months ago
Laurie, this is a 12-year-old thread. I understand why you posted as a comment here, but I think you might get more responses if you start a new thread.