When picking new hardwood colors next to existing ones, blending hardwood floors comes to mind.
You can blend hardwood floors using T-molding, seam binder or a transition strip, thin metal transition or installing a threshold piece.
Read on as we throw more light on how to blend hardwood floors.
Related: How to Fix Faded Hardwood Floors
How to Blend Hardwood Floors
Table of Contents
There are different ways to blend hardwood floors. Are you installing both wood floors or placing a new hardwood floor next to an existing one. Here is a list of methods you can use to blend woods.
Use T- Molding
T-molding can create transition appealing to the eyes without closing up the expansion gap between the two floors.
The narrower part of the T- shaped molding fits into the gap between two adjoining floors, while the upper part closes up the gap.
To fasten a T- molding, you can use either the glue-down method or the screw-down method. Both involve using a metal track with the T- molding kit.
The glue-down method involves using adhesive uniformly spread along the expansion gap before the T- model is placed in position and pressed down.
Screw down method: pre-drill hole inside the metal track to guide screw placement; you will then attach the T-molding to the metal track.
Using a Seam Binder or a Transition Strip
A seam binder is best for use between two hardwood surfaces with similar heights. It is like using only the top of a piece of T- molding.
It is a thin, rounded piece of wood material nailed down across a wood flooring seam to bind the two areas together. It is one of the most straightforward options but not usually the best.
Use a Thin Metal Transition
In recent years, the metal transition has become popular; metal transition gives a modernized look to a room and can be smooth to step on.
Most metal transitions are narrow (1/8th of an inch); their straight lines and shiny appearance make for an attractive joint between floors.
This method involves leaving a thin gap between the floors and mounting the metal transition strip using adequate adhesive.
Install a threshold piece
A threshold may come in different materials, such as stone or marble; it’s not necessarily wood. It looks like a flat, rectangular block about the thickness of the hardwood flooring. It’s usually some inches wide.
The threshold is designed to be placed in a doorway between two different types of flooring.
It can be an exciting option because of its larger surface; it’s even better if you choose a threshold made of excellent wood or stone.
Order a threshold length nearest to the size of the transition area and install in between your two floorings materials. It is effortless to install.
Blending Floors of Different Height
Sometimes, you might want to blend floors of different thicknesses and heights; you can choose a few options depending on the height difference.
You can use options similar to T-molding when the difference is less than an inch, but if the difference is several inches or more, you can consider the following options.
Lay One Floor with a Border
This technique depends on a nice smooth edge on both floors since you will put the flooring materials right up against one another.
If you are putting a new wood next to an old one with rough edges, you may need to cut the old floor edge by one inch to create a new, clean edge to align with the border of the new floor.
Lay a hardwood square, one or two planks wide outside one wood floor area. Thereafter, you can fix the flooring inside that square, and it will appear more offset from the other flooring.
Consider Staircase Flooring
If the height difference is several inches or more, you might want to look into staircase options; you can apply staircase flooring principles to many steps of offset floor height to give it a nice and smooth blend.
Now we have seen the different ways to blend hardwood, and there are tips to consider to get the best transition results.
Read: Are Waterhog Mats Safe for Hardwood Floors?
Choose Contrasting Colors
This means that you shouldn’t put two light colors or two dark colors next to each other. It’s better to try materials that aren’t so similar, or you can consult a professional for a better choice.
Consider the Layout
Dark colors in a small-sized room can make it feel smaller and more closed in, whereas light colors can brighten up a small-sized room and make it feel bigger.
This may not be the same in bigger rooms as you get the space to try out colors. It all boils down to the choice.
Making the right choice will give you a better transition.
You should also consider the type of wood used, the condition of the existing floor, the age of the existing base.
FAQ: How to Blend Hardwoods
Can You Put Different Hardwood Next to Each Other?
The answer to this question is yes.
With the right hardwood colors and blending method, you can get a flooring pleasing to the eye
Can You Put Different Hardwood Next to Each Other?
No, it’s not necessary unless you want to, it can be expensive to install the same type of wood in a house and sometimes, it looks better if there are different designs of wood floors in other areas of the house
Which Installation Method Is the Best?
This depends on the type and size of your flooring and where it will be installed. You can use the best option available depending on working with you.
Is There a Type of Hardwood That Is More Durable than the Others?
Yes, most hardwood falls within a category.
Read: How to Make Wood Filler for Hardwood Floors
Conclusion
When it comes down to how to blend hardwood floors, It comes down to personal choice and aesthetics.
There are different methods like using the T-molding method, using a seam binder, using a thin metal transition or installing a threshold in place.
This article was written to give you in-depth knowledge about how to blend hardwood floors.
It is our sincere hope that this article helped make the process easier for you, if it does, kindly share it across your social media platforms.