Good Questions: Is There a Nicer Saddle than Metal?

Hello AT,

The contractor started installing the tile in my kitchen last night.

Here's a picture (part of my kitchen renovation gallery!):

I love how the tile looks right next to the wood with no seam, but I know some kind of "saddle" is required between the tile and the wood floor in the hallway.

I know you can get that ubiquitous metal stuff that bridges the flooring divide between rooms, but is there a more beautiful solution?

Thanks for your suggestions, Chris

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Dear Chris, we feel your pain. Definitely avoid metal. In another life, you could have the floor cut away and sink the tile into it, but in this one the best bet is a nice, solid piece of oak floor trim - same as your floor - that will disappear as much as it is heavenly possible from view. And don't forget, this trim will not only help you avoid stubbed toes, it will also make sure that dirt doesn't collect against and under the tile.

Another suggestion for you is to stain your wood floor a darker color to blend in more with the slate tile. If you like the dark, chic look of the tile (we do), then darkening the floor will really finish the look.

Anyone else?

Comments (7)

I'm with Maxwell on this one, I think wood trim would be great. Your other option is the laminate trim material that accompanies Pergo and the like, I only say that because it might be a bit more forgiving from the rogue mop that travels off the tile and onto the wood. I think if you use wood trim you'd have to make sure that it's finished on ALL sides, including the bottom, lest water get under it and warp it. The Pergo-esque trim is laminate all around, looks like wood, and is water-tight.

I love the idea of staining my floors a darker color, especially since after this kitchen project, the floors are going to need a re-do anyway. Does anyone know if doing them a darker color than they are now would cost more?

My apartment is extremely dark (I'm on the second floor in the back, very minimal sun light). Would dark floors add to the cave-like feeling in a bad way?

I had this same problem, and did as Maxwell suggested: Oak trim. Looks great!

Just a tip that has helped me out, you want to say transition or threshold molding when you talk to floor guys or whomever you're buying the part from. That's what is used to describe moldings that allow a smooth transitional finish where floors of differing heights meet. I have old Oregon white oak floors I did a Swedish finish on, so I haven't found a piece I like yet (most are made out of red oak and seem big and 70s mugly) but I haven't looked seriously in floor stores. That's where I was told to go...

regards,
trillium

Just to "third" the motion for oak trim, I'm pretty sure that in my old tiny little studio where the kitchen was in the main room, it did have that as the transition between the white tiles and the oak flooring.

The oak trim finally got installed yesterday. It looks good -- thanks for the suggestions. It is a bit thick, feels weird to walk over, but it will do until I find something a bit nicer.

I need advice on how to solve my transition problem. We just redid our kitchen, removing the old tile. A new quarter-inch backerboard has been installed, which brings the floor level exactly flush to the oak flooring of the living room and den next to the kitchen. When the tile is laid on top of it, that will make the kitchen floor 3/8 inch or higher than the oak floor. A T molding would sit at an angle. How do you resolve this?
Regards, Ty