How to transition LVP flooring to a raised fireplace hearth
Bridging a height difference between luxury vinyl plank flooring and a raised ceramic hearth usually requires a transition strip, even though some prefer a simpler look like caulking or keeping a threshold. The main difficulty is finding the right material and method when heights vary by a fraction of an inch, as standard transition pieces may not look appealing despite being the easiest fix.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Carpet or flooring manufacturers suggest extending the main flooring all the way to the fireplace if a non-combustible tile hearth is not required by the manufacturer.Did this help you?
- 2Using caulking between flooring surfacesDid this help you?
- 3Installing a reducer or T-mold transition pieceDid this help you?
- 4Removing the marble threshold entirelyDid this help you?
- 5Opting for lower-profile overlap noses and using specialized heavy-duty adhesivesDid this help you?
- 6Subbing out work or hiring pricier installers capable of custom flush workDid this help you?
- 7Filling the gap with matching caulk or siliconeDid this help you?
- 8Using an aluminum strip held down by construction adhesiveDid this help you?
- 9Leaving the edge as is without moldingDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I am having trouble finding vinyl end cap molding at my local Hardware stores (orange & blue ones) that are thick enough to cover this flooring. (Most vinyl end cap molding available at hardware store are only 0.25 inch or 0.3 inch in thickness)”source ↗
“To do the flush type of stair nosing is looking like it would cost me an extra $600, so trying to decide.”source ↗
“I absolutely hate these stairnoses. The lip always seemed like a tripping hazard to me.”source ↗
“Looking for opinions on what I should use to transition from this LVP flooring to this ceramic fireplace hearth. The LVP is maybe a 1/4 inch higher at its highest point, it varies.”source ↗
“What is the best way to transition between the tile and laminate?”source ↗
“I’d like to keep the marble threshold, and I’d rather not use a transition piece.”source ↗
“Is it possible to just have caulking in between?”source ↗
“If you are looking for the easiest method you will have to put some sort of transition piece but it wont look great”source ↗
“We got lvp flooring installed but we don’t like the transition between our doors to the outside (see picture for example) how can this be fixed?”source ↗
“Do not use this if flush mount is an option.”source ↗
“Flush is obviously nicer looking, but yeah it's expensive.”source ↗
“I’m going to be laying wood plank LVTs over my existing terrazzo floors and was wondering if I need transitions/what kind I need in the spots where it butts up against the tile that is about a half inch taller.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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