How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (2025)

A transition strip is a piece of molding that sits between and connects two floors. It allows flooring to transition smoothly from one room to the next. There are different types of transition strips available, typically designed for use with different floor types and materials. So, laminate flooring transition strips are different to the T-bar transition strips that are more commonly used to transition between two hardwood floors while a reducer molding is used to connect floors of different thicknesses.

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (1)

Why Install a Transition Strip?

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (2)

The transition strip not only gives an aesthetically pleasing finish to the flooring used in your rooms, but it can prevent stubbed toes and trip hazards. While you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, there are some guidelines and tips that can be picked up with a general installation guide. Below, you will find the general process for installing these strips, although you may find the process to be a little different depending on the floor materials, and especially their thicknesses, that you’re using.

Below, we have included instructions on how to install a T-bar transition strip, which can be used with laminate and hardwood flooring or to connect these two different flooring materials.

Getting The Right Transition Strip

There are different types of transition strip available, including:

  • Square nose molding – A square nose molding is not used to transition between two floor types but is used when flooring comes up against a vertical object such as a wall or hearth. If quarter molding won’t fit, square nose molding could be your best alternative.
  • Reducer molding – Reducer molding is used to combine two different types of floor where the materials are of different thicknesses. This is commonly required when transitioning from a laminate or hardwood floor to a vinyl or lino floor.
  • T-Bar molding – T-bar molding is used in doorways to connect floors of a similar thickness. It can be used for hardwood flooring and also for laminate floor.

The instructions below are for T-bar molding. Although the basic principles are the same, you may find some of the steps slightly different due to the design and shape of the transition strip.

Materials And Tools

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Whether you are gluing or screwing, you will need the following items:

  • Masking tape
  • Power saw
  • Snips
  • Tape

If gluing the strip, you will also need:

  • Adhesive
  • Caulk gun
  • Cloth

And if screwing the strip down, gather the following items:

  • Screw gun or drill
  • Wood screws

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (4) How To Install A Transition Strip with Glue (6 Steps)

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (5)

Do ensure that you follow manufacturer guidelines to ensure the best results, but if these aren’t available or you want to ensure that you’re doing it right, follow these steps for a successful installation.

Gluing the strip down is the simplest method, but it requires a relatively flat and even sub floor and glued strips may come unstuck sooner than screwed strips.

1. Measure The Doorway

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Measure the exact width of the doorway, and then measure it again to ensure you got it right.

2. Cut The Strip

Cut the strip itself to exactly meet your measurements above. Use a power saw to cut the strip because this allows for greater precision and reduces the risk of damaging the strip.

If the strip has a metal track, cut this using decent metal snips.

3. Apply Construction Adhesive To The Strip

If the strip comes with a track, fit the strip and the tap together. They will usually snap into place but you can add some adhesive glue to ensure a permanent fixture. Apply a bead of the construction adhesive to the bottom of the track, if there is one, or the bottom of the strip, if there isn’t. The adhesive should be placed where the strip will touch the concrete floor.

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4. Press The Strip In Place

Press the strip firmly into place between the two floors. The top of the strip should sit flush against both floors and there should be no gap between the strip and the floor surfaces.

5. Remove Excess Glue

Remove excess glue from the area. This is best done using a damp cloth and before the adhesive has had opportunity to start drying.

6. Hold The Strip Down With Tape

The adhesive will take at least several hours to dry. To ensure that the strip remains in place during this time, you can weight it down with heavy objects, or tape it down with masking tape.

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (8) How To Install A Transition Strip with a Screw (6 Steps)

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (9)

Screwing the strip down, if possible, offers a firmer and longer-lasting solution. The process is similar and follows these general steps:

1. Measure The Doorway

Measure the space between the two floors and between the two door frames. Double check to make sure the measurements are accurate.

2. Cut The Strip

Use metal snips to cut the metal track and a power saw to cut the strip itself and ensure that the cuts are as smooth and accurate as possible.

3. Place The Track In The Gap

The metal track should include pilot holes. Place the track in position in the doorway and between the two floors. Mark holes where the pilot holes are, on the concrete floor below.

4. Drill Holes And Install Concrete Anchors

Drill holes into the concrete, remove the track, and add concrete anchors.

5. Screw The Track Down

Replace the track and screw it into place using the pilot holes and the concrete anchors that you added.

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6. Snap The Trim Into Place

Once the track is firmly in place, you can snap the strip into the track. Push down and ensure that the molding sits flush against the top of both floor surfaces.

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (11) Conclusion

Transition strips allow for a smooth transition from one floor to another. Although they are most commonly used to connect floors between two rooms, they may also be used to connect large sections of flooring and some specific types of transition strip are used up against hearths and other vertical surfaces. In most cases, you can choose to glue or screw the strips in place, using the guides above and the manufacturer’s instructions.

See also:

  • How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress? What You Need To Know!
  • How to Dry a Wet Mattress Fast (6 Methods)

Featured Image Credit: Vladeep, Shutterstock

Contents

How To Install A Transition Strip In 6 Simple Steps (with Pictures) | House Grail (2025)

FAQs

How are transition strips installed? ›

Some snap in place, others are glued down, while a few need to be screwed down or are attached with teeth. But, typically, you'll prepare your subfloor, then cut the transition strip and the mounting rail or channel, attach it to the subfloor, and then attach the transition strip.

What is the best adhesive for transition strips? ›

Loctite® PL PREMIUM MAX makes it simple to fix those pesky problems around your home. Use it to lay transition strips, construct eye-catching DIY projects, adhere tough materials like leather, brick, concrete and more.

Where to place transition strip in doorway? ›

The rail should sit between the two door jambs at the narrowest spot in the doorway. If your flooring is already installed and you are adding a transition strip, there is a little more to do. To prepare your subfloor, you will need a few supplies: Dremel saw or multi tool.

How big of a gap do you leave for a transition strip? ›

T-Molding is used in doorways to transition between two floors of similar height. It's important to leave room beneath the molding for the floor to expand, so you'll need a gap of approximately 1 and ¼ inches between your two surfaces.

Do I need a transition strip between rooms? ›

Transition strips are also used if one space is slightly elevated compared to the other. Between two rooms utilizing the same flooring material. While you may be able to get away without a transition strip in these spaces, using one can better allow for expansion and contraction over time.

Should a door frame touch the floor? ›

You can leave it a little off if you want = about 1/4"... You will be cutting the bottoms when install flooring. If you do carpet a 1/4" is about perfect. for hardwood or tile I like it cut flush with the finished floor surface.

What size gap for T-molding? ›

T-Moldings are used to fill the gap between two floors of equal height. Install the flooring leaving a 1-1/8” gap between the two floors for the t-molding installation. Center the track between the flooring leaving a 1/4” spacing between the track and floor planks.

How to transition flooring between rooms? ›

Transition strips are a piece of flooring hardware that help to connect two sections of flooring together. While it is possible to connect two rooms without a strip, adding one often adds more style and functionality to the floor. Transition strips are nailed into, or glued directly on the subfloor.

How do you secure a metal transition strip? ›

You can secure transition strips with screws or glue. If you have a high-traffic area, screws are best because they reduce the risk of slippage. However, if you worry about aesthetic appeal, glue offers a more seamless appearance, as you do not have holes or screws showing throughout the strip.

Are transition strips necessary for vinyl flooring? ›

While you may be able to get away without a transition strip in these spaces, using one can better allow for expansion and contraction over time. This is particularly important with wood plank, vinyl plank or tile materials.

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