Properly selected flooring materials make life much easier. However, few materials can perform equally well in all rooms of the house. We have to resort to a combination of several types. Most often these are tiles and laminate. And here a common problem arises - how to properly design the joints between these two types of finishes.

At first glance, this is a difficult task, but the recommendations of specialists in the field of repair will help you cope with it yourself.

Where is docking used?

IN modern design Various combination techniques are widespread in the interior. This applies to the combination of colors and shades, textures, materials.

The combination of tiles and laminate is relevant and quite economical. A more expensive and luxurious coating is obtained when using parquet board instead of laminate, and tiles successfully replace the more practical porcelain stoneware.

Any other combination of these materials with each other is possible, including a combination of tiles of different thickness, color and texture.

Issues of color when combining floor coverings are resolved using simple design rules for color compatibility, but in practical implementation there is often a need to “bring together” laminate and tiles into one plane.

This happens in the following cases:

• Materials are joined on the border of two rooms. For example, a bathroom and a corridor, a corridor and a kitchen, a bedroom and a balcony. Usually the two coverings are combined under the door separating the rooms, and the transition can be made using a simple and effective solution– decorative threshold;

• A vanishing line is formed in open space, on the border functional zones in one room. This current problem For large kitchens, in which the cooking area and dining area are decorated with different materials, as well as for studio apartments, where such zoning may be the only convenient option. The areas of the kitchen, bathroom, balcony, and transit areas are decorated separately. The threshold is no longer here universal solution, more complex connection methods are needed.

However, you should not give up such a practical finish due to the complication of the process of laying materials. Connecting different floor coverings has a number of advantages:

• When tiles and laminates, which have different performance characteristics, are used only in those conditions that suit them best, the coating as a whole will last much longer. So, it is very practical to decorate areas with tiles high humidity, and lay the laminate in drier areas;
• Tile lasts longer in areas with high traffic and mechanical loads, and laminate looks more comfortable and decorative. By combining these materials in transit areas, you can get a reliable and beautiful coating;
• The floor finish looks more fresh and original;

• Ceramic tiles, and especially porcelain tiles, are expensive. Finishing an entire room with only these materials is much more expensive than combining them with laminate;
• If it is necessary to make a heated floor in the house, it can be laid only under the tiles in order to save money, or you can choose a laminate with the appropriate marking that allows installation on a heating system, and insulate the entire room;
• The pattern, relief and color pattern created by the two materials visually increase the space in small rooms.

Connection methods and materials

If necessary, combine different floor coverings Two logical questions arise: how to do this and what materials to use for this. The modern market offers a variety of solutions.

Docking profile

With its help, a neat and technological connection is created at the border of the premises under door leaf. Profiles come in the following types:

• Metal (aluminum, steel, brass). Some of them are distinguished by flexibility and pliability in operation and the ability to take a curved shape;

The cost of such a profile is low, and performance characteristics- one of the best

• Wood. This product fits seamlessly where laminate with a natural wood pattern was used. The combination looks most successful if you choose a wooden threshold to match the laminate panels. But wooden profiles have their drawbacks. They are expensive, afraid of moisture, and require constant maintenance (grinding, varnishing).

• Plastic. This is a cheap and elastic profile that is easy to install and bend, but it has the lowest wear resistance among other profiles and quickly loses its presentable appearance. This is especially noticeable on white plastic. It becomes cloudy and absorbs dirt.

Moldings made of laminated MDF

Liquid plug

This connector is a know-how in the construction industry. It is a combination of fine cork chips and a binding adhesive element. With a relatively low price and convenient format of use Liquid stopper has many advantages:

• Environmental friendliness of the material and the absence of toxic substances in the composition;
• Resistance to mechanical damage;
• Accurate filling of cracks and joints;

• High level thermal insulation;
• Not afraid of moisture, high temperatures and atmospheric changes;
• Does not deform, does not crack;
• Can fill gaps of any length and width.

However, it is important to remember that Do not allow liquid plug to get on the floor, as it is difficult to clean. The method of designing joints (threshold or butt laying) depends on what combination was used.

Using a threshold

Thresholds are used in several cases. First of all, this is the adjoining of the laminate to the tiles at the border of the rooms and the design of straight seams, and secondly, the connection of those places on the floor where it was not possible to lay the laminate and tiles on the same level.

An alternative to the threshold in this case can be a curb or a transitional PVC profile.

Pros of using a threshold:

• Levels differences in height between two coatings;
• Protects the junction of laminate and tiles from the accumulation of dust and dirt;
• Helps create tightness in spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom due to the fact that there is practically no gap left between the door and the floor;
• Has several convenient mounting methods;
• Easy to install;
• Many types are economical in price;
• You can even close a wide gap between the coverings;
• The service life of the threshold is equal to the service life of the coatings.

Disadvantages of butt thresholds:

• Even the most inconspicuous threshold will protrude slightly above the laminate and tiles, which will spoil the smooth transition;
• Choosing a threshold that matches the color of the tiles and laminate is a difficult task;
• The screws are visible if the threshold fastening is not adhesive;
• Not all types of thresholds are cheap. If the transition part is wider than one meter, materials and installation can cost a lot of money;
• The connection is not completely sealed.

One of the advantages of using threshold docking is the wide variety of species. It makes the thresholds in a universal way for connecting laminate and tiles. Types of thresholds:

• Decorative. These are aluminum or plastic products that close gaps and create a smooth transition in places of small differences in height between laminates and tiles. In color they do not have to be neutral and inconspicuous. Silver and golden shades of metals are often used. It can be open (fastening points are visible) and hidden (fastening elements are not visible).

• Flexible. This is a soft plastic or metal profile that is installed at the border of two materials lying on the same level. Involves filling a fairly wide gap between floorings.

It can be laid on top, then the joint will not be smooth, or mounted directly between the tiles and the laminate, then the joint will be perfectly smooth.

• The plastic profile is fixed in the groove when both materials are laid on the floor. The metal profile has fastening elements of a special structure, so it is laid after laying one material and before laying the second.

• Box-shaped. This is the threshold at the transition from one room to another. It is necessary in places where height differences are up to 20 millimeters, and in addition to the aesthetic function, it also has a practical function - it improves sound insulation and thermal insulation in the room. May be part of a door frame.

There is only one inconvenient thing about such a threshold - its own height is on average 3 cm, and it is easy to trip over it.

• T-shaped. Strictly speaking, this is a type of profile made of solid wood or PVC. This is a beautiful strip that is inserted into grooves to create straight seams. T-shaped thresholds are convenient, but such pleasure costs 600 rubles per linear meter;

• Single level. Such thresholds are also called moldings. They are designed for connecting smooth surfaces.

• Speaker. Suitable for installation in doorways where there are no doors. May have sharp corners or rounded shape.

• Transitional. The most diverse and complex type of thresholds both in design and installation. It is necessary for leveling multi-level floorings. With the help of round thresholds, coverings are connected at a height of up to 20 mm, and thresholds of complex geometric shapes are needed to design the boundaries of functional zones in a room.

If the difference between the floorings exceeds 5 cm and the base cannot be leveled, a podium is built at the junction of the tiles and laminate.

Materials and tools

The required working set depends on what materials are selected and how the threshold will be installed. Both self-tapping screws and high-quality adhesives are suitable for wooden and plastic thresholds.

Metal profiles are mounted exclusively with special fasteners provided in the design, or using self-tapping screws.

But the profile and the clamp are not enough to accomplish installation work for joining tiles and laminate. Full set includes the following tools:

• Drawing supplies (pencil, ruler or tape measure) for leveling the edges of the flooring;
• An electric jigsaw or grinder with a disc or cutting blade that is coated with diamond (will protect the tile from chipping);
• A set of dowels and screws (at least one for every 10 cm) for fastening the thresholds;

• A screwdriver or drill with replaceable attachments for tightening screws;
• Phillips screwdriver to fit the thread size on the fastener;
• Rubber hammer. The usual one will not work - it can seriously damage the appearance of the flooring;
• For straight joints, you can use sealant or glue instead of screws.

How to dock correctly?

Combining two types of flooring using a threshold is done in different ways.

The simplest solution is use a self-adhesive threshold. All you need to do to install it in the groove between two floorings is to peel off protective film, place the sill tenon evenly in the slot and secure it well.

If the molding is just a flat strip, you need to make markings so that it sticks evenly. To do this, you need to attach the molding to the junction of the tile and laminate, align it so that the gap is under it in the middle, mark the edge line with a pencil or masking tape, peel off the protective film from the molding and, according to the markings, install it at the joint.

This option for masking the connection of two floorings is suitable if it is a straight seam or a doorway without differences in height between the floorings.

If the joint is figured (wavy) and the height of one coating is slightly greater than the other, flexible joining elements made of aluminum and plastic are used.

Installation plastic profile performed step by step:

• Finishing the floor with tiles (porcelain stoneware) and laminate in such a way that the gap between the coverings allows for the installation of a fastening profile. Plus 5 millimeters for the “temperature gap” - the profile width changes with temperature changes, and installation is carried out with a heated profile.
• Drilling holes in expansion joint. You can do this in advance. It is also important to consider how the electric floor heating system will be equipped in this place. In this case, the use of screws and dowels can be dangerous; it is better to choose liquid nails or sealants.

• Measurements of the required sill length. For maximum accuracy, it is advisable to manually bend it along the joint line, since adjusting the size of a too short sill is much more difficult than cutting off the excess from a long one.
• Giving the profile the appropriate length using a jigsaw or a sharp cutter.

• Connection using screws or self-tapping screws between the fastening profile and the base.
• Maceration decorative profile. So that the product can easily accept the required form joint, it is pre-soaked for a quarter of an hour in hot water (up to 70 degrees). The heated decorative part is inserted into the fastening part until a characteristic click is heard.

Installation of a metal-based profile, be it aluminum, brass or any other, is somewhat different from PVC:

• Before starting installation work, it is necessary to calculate the thickness of the flooring, including the leveling layer (substrate), adhesive composition, and the thickness of the tiles and laminate panels. As a result, the two floorings will have to match. This is prerequisite, when the dividing threshold is made of metal.

• You need to start laying the flooring with tiles, since they “press” one edge of the profile and securely fix it. The profile itself is equipped with metal “legs” that are attached to the floor, so its installation should be carried out immediately after or in parallel with the tiles.
• After the tiles have been laid, you must manually bend the profile so that it follows the curves of the joint. Then cut off the desired piece.
• IN last resort laminate is installed. Having laid out part of the covering, it must be “pushed” under the profile, and only then covered to the end.

Wooden thresholds are most often used in doorways. It is less flexible and more expensive. Mounted in two ways: open and closed.

To open, you need to do the following:

• Measure the width of the doorway, taking into account the trim.
• Mark the points for drilling holes at the joint, drill.
• Insert dowels into the holes and secure the wooden threshold on top with self-tapping screws. It is better to use a Phillips screwdriver to avoid damaging the product.

Closed installation:

• Purchase a wooden threshold that has a groove for installing screws;
• Unpack the screws, if necessary, file the sides of the caps so that they stay in the groove better.
• Drill holes required diameter in the floor and insert the dowels from the kit into them;
• Insert screws into the groove, space them at the same distance as the dowels.
• Insert the threshold with screws into the holes in the dowels and nail it to the floor with a rubber hammer.

Thresholdless connection

When the gap at the joints is too wide, installing thresholds, profiles and moldings is impractical. It is more convenient to connect two floorings using materials that will fill the void between the laminate and the tiles and align them in height. These are a variety of sealants, compensators and liquid formulations, which harden in air.

Complex actions to combine two floorings into one are not necessary when these floorings are located at the same level and as close as possible to each other. There is a separate installation technology that eliminates the need to use imagination and work with your hands to eliminate gaps in the floor - end-to-end.

Laying tiles close to laminate flooring requires some skill and experience to ensure it is done as accurately as possible. Joining two floorings requires compliance with a number of rules:

• Carefully level the floor using a substrate and a stabilizing layer. This is necessary to bring together surfaces that need to be connected into one plane;
• The maximum difference in height between floorings is up to 1 mm;
• The end parts of the ceramic and wood-fiber coating must be properly processed;
• To install materials end-to-end, they must be cut down without chips, burrs or irregularities.

Today there is a huge amount of materials to create maximum comfort in your home. Most homes use several types of flooring. For example, in the living room the floor is covered with carpet, in the hallway they use laminate or parquet, and in the kitchen - tiles. At the junction of various floor coverings, a joint is formed, which not only spoils the appearance and aesthetics of the interior, but also collects dirt and various foreign objects. To make everything look beautiful and practical, the joints between the tiles and the laminate are closed. There are several ways to do this, which will be discussed below.

When and why is it necessary to use different types of flooring?

Each material that is used as a floor covering has certain properties and characteristics, and also performs different functions. Carpet is very soft and cushions small children from falling, making it great for a child's room. The tile is resistant to water, which makes it great solution for the kitchen and bathroom. Parquet and laminate give the interior a more elegant and expensive look. All these materials are presented in a wide range in specialized stores.

Using several types of flooring allows you to conditionally divide a room into different zones. This is especially true in the kitchen. The cooking area can be tiled, since it does not absorb water and grease, which will certainly drip onto the floor during cooking, and it is better to use laminate for the eating area. And in order for everything to look aesthetically pleasing, the place where the tiles and laminate meet must be covered.

Basic docking methods

Before you begin laying several types of flooring, you need to decide where the border between them will be, as well as how it will be closed. Today there are two main connection methods various materials:

• straightforward;
• wavy.

Each method has certain characteristics. And in order to choose the most suitable one, you need to have a detailed understanding of each type of joint.

Straight joint

A straight joint line is suitable for doorways, arches and visual delimitation of space into different zones within the same room. This type of joint can only be used if the gap between the different floor coverings is no more than five millimeters. A sill is best for this type of joint as it will hide any unevenness caused by cutting the flooring.

Wavy joint

The wavy joining of tiles and laminate is more difficult to implement and requires certain knowledge and skills. Most often it is used to delimit a room into separate zones or create a “path” passing through the room. In addition, the junction between various types Wave-type flooring is very often used in interior design and allows you to give the interior an original and aesthetic look.

If you decide to use different materials for the floor and want to close the joints with a wavy joint, then it is better to do this using a special template made of cardboard. In addition, if the shape of the joint is very complex, then special equipment may be needed to trim the materials, so you should think very carefully and really evaluate your strengths.

Threshold

You can also hide the joints between the tiles and the laminate using a threshold. This is the simplest and cheap way give the interior a more attractive look. The advantage of using a threshold is that this element can be made of plastic, wood and metal, so you can choose the ideal solution that will fit harmoniously into the interior.

Today, there are the following types of thresholds for the junction of laminate and tiles:

• straight;
• curved;
• flexible.

Straight ones are used to mask joints when moving from one room to another, curved ones are most often used in various design projects, and flexible ones are made according to special technology and have rubber base, which allows you to give the thresholds any shape and hide the joints even in hard-to-reach places.

The thresholds are very easy to install. They are fastened using dowels, which can subsequently be hidden by a decorative strip, resulting in a more beautiful and elegant look.

Masking cracks without threshold

This design of the junction of tiles and laminate is quite complex and requires very high precision and accuracy when performing work, so it makes sense to resort to it only when you need to make a figured connection.

The first step is to lay the laminate and tiles. In this case, one material should be laid slightly overlapping on top of the second. Then the joint boundary is marked. To make everything smooth and beautiful, it is recommended to apply markings using a template. When the line is drawn, the laminate is cut and the flooring is laid. However, if you want both types of flooring to lie at the same level with each other, you need to remove the underlay from the laminate. To add aesthetics, the joint between laminate and tiles without a threshold needs to be grouted.

Masking joints using polyurethane foam or sealant

Using this method, you can remove large gaps between different coatings, which are filled with polyurethane foam or a special silicone-based sealant. In this case, laying laminate and tiles is carried out in the same way as when masking cracks without a threshold. The only difference is that the gaps are pre-filled additional materials. If you are using silicone sealant, then you can find several of it on sale color options, which will match the color of the flooring.

When working with foam or sealant, you should not fill the cracks with too much building material, because if there is too much of it, it will come out of the crack. If excess foam or silicone is not removed immediately, then after it has hardened it will be much more difficult to do so. If there is not enough material, the floor covering will not be fixed well, and the joints between the tiles and the laminate will constantly become clogged with dirt.

In addition, when using foam or silicone, you should take into account the fact that they tightly fix the floor covering, so it will be impossible to replace part of the floor in the future.

Cork joints

Cork joints between tiles and laminate are among the highest quality and most aesthetically pleasing. They are made using a cork expansion joint, which looks great with any type of floor covering. Cork can be painted in any color, which makes this material universal and allows you to implement any design ideas, regardless of the level of complexity.

It is worth noting that this material has a porous structure, due to which the color of the paint will look more saturated. In this regard, the junction will stand out and catch the eye, which does not suit everyone. In addition, using a cork compensator it is impossible to eliminate various defects resulting from uneven cutting of floor coverings, so it can only be used if the cutting was performed by professionals using specialized equipment. It is also better not to use cork if the laminate and tiles were not laid at the same level, since this method of masking cracks on the floor will not only eliminate the defect, but will also make it more noticeable.

Using moldings

Moldings are a special profile for the junction of tiles and laminate. IN construction stores you can find fittings of various colors, made of plastic, wood and aluminum, which allows you to use them in conjunction with any modern types floor coverings. The main advantage of moldings is their versatility. They allow you not only to hide the border between parquet and carpet, but also to eliminate various defects caused by improper installation of the floor covering. With the help of accessories you can hide even very large gaps, and also hide height errors. However, you need to buy fittings even before the floor is completely completed, in order to make sure that the fittings have the necessary elastic qualities and reliable joining.

So, you already know how to close the joint between the tiles and the laminate, however, regardless of the choice of masking method, in order for everything to turn out well and beautifully, you need to do correct styling floor covering, which begins with markings. If you already have ready-made design project and it involves the use of parquet and ceramic tiles in one room, then after pouring the screed on cement, future zones should be drawn.

The first step is to lay the laminate, after which you can proceed to the tiles, but you must strive to ensure that both materials are on the same level. This is quite difficult to achieve, but if you succeed, then masking the boundary line between both materials will be much easier. If you do not have such work experience, then it is better to abandon amateur activities and seek help from professionals. Their services will cost much less than completely redoing the floor.

Conclusion

There are many different types of flooring available these days, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. However, the aesthetics of the interior of a home largely depends not on the floor covering itself, but on how well the junctions of various materials were hidden. In addition, if the joints are closed poorly, the laminate at the junction will wear out very quickly and lose its attractive appearance. Therefore, masking joints should be approached with the utmost seriousness, because savings in this matter are simply inappropriate.

What type of coating to choose for the floor is everyone’s business. The most important thing is to make beautiful and neat joints that will look harmonious in the interior of the entire room.

Despite the seeming complete incompatibility of materials such as tiles and laminate, many have been using this idea for a long time. Let's look at the advantages of this design:

• visual enlargement of a small room;
• allocation of zones in the room. For example, there are tiles near the stove in the kitchen, which allows you to wash it from any dirt, and near dining table- laminate, which makes the floor pleasant, warm and cozy;
• creating a unique pattern on the floor;
• low cost of coating, economical;
• long-term operation.

If you still don’t believe in the aesthetics of this combination, we suggest you evaluate one of these solutions, shown in the photo below.

Selecting a docking method

Today, you can choose many ways to join materials of such different compositions as tiles and laminate. They differ both in terms of aesthetics and in their price and complexity of operation. Next, we will consider the most popular methods of how to carry out connecting laminate to tiles, among which you can choose the optimal solution for yourself. It’s not difficult to do this kind of work yourself. This does not require specialized skills, you just need to be careful and have a little patience.

The easiest way to join

The easiest way to join laminate to tiles is when the joint is straight, as in Fig. 2 shown below.

For such a transition, the easiest and cheapest option would be to place an aluminum or plastic threshold between the materials. It will tightly close the gap and prevent dirt and moisture from entering the joint, which will protect the laminate and tiles from damage. An example of such a threshold is shown in Fig. 3. Thresholds can also be designed to look like wood or wood, as well as bendable, which is suitable for uneven joints between laminate and tiles.

However, this joining method also has its disadvantages:

• the threshold protrudes slightly above the surface in any case, which spoils the smooth transition;
• the difficulty of choosing the color of the threshold to match both materials;
• The sill is fastened with screws, and they are visible on the surface.

Despite this, the fastening of the threshold remains the most in a practical way junction of materials. They attach very easily. Dowels are driven into the floor, and the threshold is screwed with screws that are already included in the kit. In addition, a range of thresholds such as color scheme, and in terms of strength - enormous. There are also thresholds with internal fastening, without the use of external screws.

Docking without additional materials

The method of simply joining laminate and tile end-to-end without attaching a threshold is now widespread. For such a joint, the two materials must be absolutely the same height, as well as a lot of patience and a lot of accuracy. You can see an example of this design below.

For such work, the height is first measured to the nearest millimeter, the materials themselves are measured and a template is made, and tiles and laminate are tried on before fixing. After you have made the joint, you need to rub the seam very carefully, otherwise you will end up with a crooked joint that cannot be smoothed out with almost anything. The seam can be sealed with silicone or other materials, for example, a fugue for facing ceramics.

This method is not so simple, and not everyone will be able to make a perfectly even seam, but it is the cheapest of all. Of course, it is much more difficult to make it with a wavy or curved transition, so it makes sense to try a straight joint with a straight transition of materials.

Also, this method is not suitable for sealing a seam over a large area.

Docking with a cork compensator

When using this method, the transition is practically invisible, visually it seems very beautiful and neat. It is especially relevant for long seam lengths. It is done quickly and simply, but requires lengthy preparation, since if the seam is not even in width or depth, then this defect will be visible, and subsequently it will be difficult to repair it. This procedure is done like this:

• it is necessary to adjust the laminate to the tiles or tiles, but be sure to leave a gap of about two millimeters between them. This is done because the materials are too different in strength and with direct, direct contact, the tiles or tiles will remain unharmed, but the laminate can become damaged and swell over time;
• V installation seam a cork compensator is installed. It fits easily with the help of a regular screwdriver, which is used to push it inside;
• further, absolutely no special care or additional putty is required.

This method is perfect for both straight and wavy transitions, as can be seen by looking at Figure 5.

Completely sealed docking

This method is the simplest in terms of technical execution. For it you can choose the following materials:

• mounting paste, mastic;
• silicone sealants;
• construction foam.

The most important thing here is the choice of sealant, since it is necessary that it combines good adhesion, that is, the adhesion of both materials, and also has high strength and elasticity to prevent deformation and detachment.

Be sure, before sealing the entire floor, you need to try the purchased sealant on small pieces of laminate and tile, and if the result suits you, you can start working. After finishing, the joint turns out to be permanent, so the disadvantage this method is that, if necessary, dismantling one of the materials is impossible; everything must be removed together.

But with this method, the joint is practically invisible, and there is no need to worry and constantly re-seal the seam. We see an example of such work in the picture.

Step-by-step instructions for joining laminate and tiles without a threshold

So, after you have chosen the most optimal docking method for yourself, you need to:

• first of all, you first need to lay out the tiles, and adjust the laminate to fit them when the glue has completely dried;
• the laminate is laid on top of the tile, covering it with a margin, overlapping;
• precise marking of the cutting line is made;
• Using a grinder with a diamond blade, the unnecessary layer of tile is cut off. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the material and prevent chipping;
• from laminate boards, you need to cut the backing of such a width so that the height at the junction with the tile or tile is the same, after which you need to rub the material well with sandpaper;
• in places where the backing was cut off, the laminate is glued to the primed screed;
• Having tightly joined the materials, you can begin sealing the seam with the selected material.

Following these simple instructions, you can rest assured that the connection is reliable and long-lasting.

Wavy joint

Its execution will require more time and accuracy, but such a cut looks great, giving any room uniqueness. Joining laminate flooring with tiles without a straight line, with a wave or other pattern is carried out according to the same instructions as above, but has its own specifics.

A wavy transition looks much more beautiful than a straight one, but the main condition for such hard work is a more or less even width of the seam, its depth and smoothness of the transition, otherwise the seam will be visible in some places, and it is difficult to change this. So before such important work, you need to make a careful calculation and outline the location of the desired cut.

To make the seam as invisible as possible, you need to leave a gap between the materials of 2-3 mm and it is better to seal it with a cork expansion joint. This perfect option, if you have measured well and made sure that the entire seam is equal in width and depth, from start to finish. For such a precise fit, a cardboard template is also suitable, as can be seen in the photo.

Video - joining laminate to tiles

In the video we can see the connection of laminate with tiles using a flexible profile, which will help you appreciate the complexity and possible mistakes with this kind of work. After watching the work of professionals, you can easily do this work yourself.

29.07.2014

It is necessary to install the joint between the laminate and tiles when major renovation extensive hallways and kitchen-dining rooms - when part of the floor is finished with durable ceramics, and the rest of the space is occupied by a “warm” laminate.

The joint between laminate and tiles - when and why is it needed?

The joining of two types of coating allows you not only to save on the repair budget, but also to create a transition on the floor that has an amazing design effect, which does not at all have to be predictably straightforward. Most often it is needed in a spacious kitchen, which smoothly transitions into a dining room, loggia, or even a living room. Times of miniature kitchen premises, when from the center of the room it was possible to reach all four walls, remained in the “panel-Khrushchev” past. Nowadays, the kitchen requires space and scope - in the layouts of new apartments, 20 m2 or more are allocated for it. And remodeling old homes, with the kitchen moved out into the loggia, has been practiced for a long time and everywhere, as has insulating balconies for all-weather use.

But with such a renovation of the apartment, the question will definitely arise of how to join the laminate and tiles. The space near the stove, sink, washing machine And kitchen set It is reasonable to veneer it with floor ceramics. It is resistant to abrasion and impact, immune to water and steam, and is easy to clean from all kitchen contaminants - from grease to spices spilled in a hurry. But constantly walking on tiles is unpleasant, your feet slip on the tiles, it is a “cold” finishing material. Laying tiles all over the floor in a large kitchen-loggia-living room is rarely practiced - not only because of its cost, but also because constant contact with cold and slippery tiles is undesirable.

Laminate flooring is practically indistinguishable in tactile sensations from natural wood, but at the same time it is many times cheaper than the most modest parquet or solid board. Its external advantages, if properly installed, will last for many years. But you can’t install laminated wood substitute in the kitchen or bathroom (however, natural wood This is also contraindicated). Kitchen moisture and bathroom dampness will quickly lead to warping of the most resistant laminate - so the need arises to join it to the tiles.

In large hallways, the floors are also zoned into ceramic and laminate areas. Right next to front door a “tiled bridgehead” is being built so that a person can calmly come in and take off his shoes, shake snow off his clothes, dirt from his shoes, etc. For further movement around the apartment, a laminate surface is provided - warm, elastic and friendly to human gait, due to the absolute absence of sliding properties. A high-quality joint between the laminate board and the tiles is also necessary in this case.

When renovating bathrooms and swimming pools in private homes, there is also a need to join tiles and laminated boards, because... the floors of individual rooms are not always separated by thresholds and lead through arches to the hall or living rooms. In living rooms with fireplaces, part of the floor near the open fire is laid with heat-resistant tiles (tiles), and the rest of the room is laid with laminate; the same picture is observed when arranging balconies with direct access to the living room or bedroom. So the ability to join these coatings may be needed not only in standard apartment, but also in a country house.

How to join laminate and tiles - features of repair methods

Joining methods for two such dissimilar floor coverings can be divided into four groups. Each method has its own advantages, but they are united by one important property - you need to choose your joint option in advance! Experiments during the renovation process, changing one joint to another during the cladding process can result in reworking the entire floor. Here you won’t be happy with any joint, nor with the repair itself.

Method 1. Permanent joint

Technically the fastest (but not the easiest!) connection method. For it, it is enough to buy any sealing compound (silicone, construction foam, mounting paste), which has high adhesion to both materials. Moreover, the seller’s assurances and advertising notices on the sealant packaging will not be enough; it is wiser to conduct the experiment on pieces of tile and laminate. That is, lubricate their ends with a sealing compound and see how firmly it holds.

It is important that the sealant has high elasticity to compensate for the difference physical properties between ceramics and laminate board (deformation, thermal expansion, etc.).

The advantage of a permanent joint is its extreme reliability. It’s easier to tear off the laminate board or cut it out tiles than to pick out a high-quality sealing layer from the mounting gap. Disadvantages are the need for an exact junction of the tiles with the laminate in height and its minimum “run-up” in width. On consumer qualities the changing width of the sealing layer is not reflected, but the appearance of such a connection leaves much to be desired. In addition, it is impossible to disassemble such a joint after installation.

Method 2. Almost invisible joint

Relevant only for straight and small (up to 1.5-2 meters) joints of floor ceramics and laminate boards. It is carried out with an ideal fit of the tile to the end of the laid board in height and width, with an installation clearance between the materials of about 2-3 millimeters . Direct contact between tiles and laminate is unacceptable under any circumstances! These materials have different coefficients of elasticity, thermal expansion, etc.; a direct joint will swell and cause destruction of the floor lining, and this can happen quite far from the joint line, several meters from it.

The installation gap is sealed with an ordinary fugue for ceramic cladding. It doesn’t stick well to a laminated board, so filling the gap will be a constant source of entertainment for the owners even after the renovation. But the transition boundary will be almost imperceptible tactilely - but often visually visible. The labor intensity of the method is very high, and the design quality requires regular “lubricating” procedures.

Method 3. Cork joint

In preparing the base, the cork joint is similar to the previous option. It is necessary to lay the tiles and install the laminate with a perfectly straight connection line both in width and height. Linear size The seam can be large, up to 5-6 meters, here the cork joint significantly outperforms the invisible joining.

A cork compensator is placed in the installation gap. Actually, its size limits the amount of gap left. The cork is quite elastic; the compensator made from it is carefully pushed into the gap with careful movements of a wide screwdriver. However, the width of the gap between the laminate and the tiles must be constant, ± 1.5 mm maximum. Appearance cork joint good for everyone, its durability is beyond doubt. This connection does not require special maintenance or care.

Method 4. Moldings and thresholds

The most accessible and do-it-yourself answer to the question “How to connect tiles and laminate?” needs additional fittings. They are straight sills and curved moldings. The cladding fittings are made of aluminum, wood, and plastic. It is the only one that allows you to hide the difference between the coatings in height and allows for uneven installation clearance. The threshold and molding can be chosen to be harmoniously combined with the color and texture of the main covering, or they can sharply and defiantly delimit the floor space; other methods do not have such possibilities.

Another obvious advantage of the threshold joint between laminate and tiles is curvilinear and extended connections. All the flaws in performing such design solutions are easily hidden under the fittings, the floor looks neat and unusual. A set of thresholds and moldings should be purchased in advance and applied to the joining lines to examine the elastic properties and ability to turn before the ceramic tiles are laid on cement mortar. Among the shortcomings of the connection along the thresholds and moldings, one can only note that the joint is noticeable in height, but its profile is made smoothly and without sharp corners.

How to connect tiles and laminate with a guarantee of joint strength

Laying such different floor coverings as laminate and tiles begins with ceramics. The line of the future connection with the laminate part of the room must be marked in advance, directly on the cement base of the floor. A good solution would be to keep the gaps between the tiles the same size as the installation gap at the boundary of the room zoning. They try to bring the total height of the tile to the installation level of the laminate - alas, this is not always possible, since the thickness of the laminate board is usually comparable to the tile, but it does not require a layer of mortar.

If it is decided to make a permanent, cork or sealed joint, the last tiles before the border are not laid. Precise levels are installed on the tiled surface, and the laminate is installed using their marks. You will probably have to raise this part of the floor by stuffing plywood or installing false floors. After laying the laminate, the ceramics are precisely and accurately cut and installed in the reserved places. Next, the joint is sealed, grouted, or filled with a cork expansion joint.

When choosing the “threshold technology” for connecting work, the tiles are laid right up to the border, leaving a gap of 5 ± 3 millimeters. The laminated floor is installed and thresholds (moldings) are installed. They are cut using hacksaws, exactly in place. Fastening is done with self-tapping screws into the concrete base, for which it is drilled out and mounting plugs are hammered into the holes. Full contact with both surfaces along the entire length should be achieved; fittings with a perforated base are well suited for this. The design of the moldings and thresholds allows you to hide the mounting screws with decorative strips on snaps - your connection looks just great!

Modern flooring can be made from various materials. Recently, you can often find a combination of different structures and colors. This allows you to divide the room into functional zones or perform a specific design idea. How to correctly combine different materials in such a way that the border between them is not too noticeable, and most importantly, does not create problems in moving and cleaning? Today we will try to give detailed answers to this and other questions.

Laminate, tiles, porcelain stoneware - all these materials are used for floor coverings in modern houses and apartments. The coating is selected depending on functional purpose premises. Since many homes have an open layout, the question arises of allocating functional areas to separate the entrance hall and hall, dining room and kitchen. It is preferable to tile the area in wet areas and lay out the rest of the room with laminate.

Besides correct docking materials allows you to visually expand the room through the use of different textures (wood and stone) and shapes (squares and rectangles). The layout of materials helps to save considerable money. The point is that the cost quality tiles will cost significantly more than the same amount of laminate area. So why overpay if it is possible to connect materials together.

Different floor coverings need to be properly joined to highlight functional areas

According to established practice, and judging by reviews, this approach is the most rational: in the hallway, kitchen and bathrooms it is preferable to use ceramic flooring materials, since they are resistant to moisture, have good wear resistance, and are the easiest to care for. Looks better in residential areas. These materials give coziness and warmth to the rooms.

It should be noted that this approach to the use of materials does not mean that laminate, for example, cannot be used in the kitchen, and tiles in the living room. Modern products are distinguished by increased performance properties; in addition, cold porcelain stoneware can instantly become warm when using the “warm floor” system, and waterproof laminate will calmly withstand the attack of water.

Flexible PVC profile for curved joints

A flexible floor profile is a threshold made of homogeneous thermoplastic or metal that can take almost any bend. According to its design, it can consist of two parts - a fastening profile and a decorative nozzle, or be completely solid. To arrange the joining of laminate and tiles, a compensation gap of 5 mm thickness is left. We will put our profile in it.

One way to install a joint between tiles and laminate is to install the profile with liquid nails adhesive, but this method is not ideal, since over time there is a risk of the profile falling out of the joint. For this reason, it is advisable to use other methods to connect tiles and laminate.

If the connection is detachable, then holes are drilled in the expansion joint with a hammer drill, into which dowels are then inserted. The distance between the holes depends solely on the smoothness of the lines: the steeper the bend, the more often it is necessary to drill the floor. After this, we take the fastening part of the profile and, using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, screw the structure to the base. Then we snap it decorative overlay into the floor-mounted connector.

Advice! When attaching the profile to the floor, use galvanized self-tapping screws. They are not susceptible to corrosion if water gets on them.

If a one-piece flexible profile is used, care should be taken to install it in advance, even at the stage when laying ceramic tiles. The design has special protrusions that are inserted directly under the tile. If you have not provided for this possibility, then you can spread the tile adhesive under the tiles to a depth equal to the profile tabs and install the profile in the gap. The laminate is inserted into a special groove that is formed between the floor and the profile on the other side of the fastening.

To make bending easier, the PVC profile is placed in hot water for a few minutes, after which the material becomes pliable and bends easier. Change geometry metal profile You can just do it with your hands, using little effort.

Most often, the joint between tile and laminate is made using thresholds, especially if the connection is located in doorways. Designs are being made different widths made of wood, plastic or aluminum. They have a durable body and hold their shape well. When facing material located at different levels, and not in one plane, moldings are used - connections that can adapt to height differences due to the asymmetrical arrangement of the side protrusions in height. It is worth mentioning that the separator, which is inserted into the hole between the materials, can be located not only in the center of the threshold (molding), but also with a different offset.

The most common joint method is thresholds

The structures are attached to the base using dowels, and the fastening can be hidden or not. When arranging moldings with hidden fastening Holes are drilled in the floor with a hammer drill into which dowels are driven. The removable lower part is screwed on with self-tapping screws, and a special overlay is attached to the top, making the connection of the laminate and tile neat.

Thresholds with open fastenings have holes along the entire length. Since products are produced in a certain footage, before installation it is necessary to take measurements and cut the required length from the profile. Then the marks that correspond to the holes in the threshold are transferred to the base. Next, drill holes in the floor and fasten the threshold with screws all the way through. To install structures with through holes, use self-tapping screws with flat heads to match the structure. If desired, the hats can be further decorated with special plastic overlays.

This transition from tile to laminate requires special care and precision. It is made either completely end-to-end, or with a small, millimeter gap, which is then filled with sealant or tile grout to seal the joint as much as possible. The second option is preferable because, firstly, it creates a seamless coating, and secondly, it does not allow dirt and dust to accumulate at the joints.

When joining materials end-to-end, it is better to leave a small gap, which should then be filled with sealant

To ensure a tight fit of the tiles to the laminated floor, the materials are laid one on one, and a line is clearly drawn along their surface, which will serve as a sawing point. Alternatively, you can make a template to transfer the connection line to the tiles and laminate flooring. After the materials are cut, they must be adjusted and, if necessary, defects are corrected.

First of all, tiles or porcelain tiles are laid, after which they pause until completely dry tile adhesive. This is done so that the laminate does not swell from excess moisture contained in the adhesive solution. At a distance of 10 cm from the edge of the laid tile, the backing laid under the laminate is removed, and the planks themselves are attached in that place with sealant or special glue to prevent the laminated floor from lifting from the very edge. After the glue has set, you can begin to putty the seam.

Joining materials using a cork layer

Cork compensator is a material that is placed between tiles and laminate. It is good because, thanks to its structure, it is easily compressed, and subsequently regains its shape again. Cork is not exposed to moisture, it does not rot and can last for quite a long time. This type of layer is ideal when installing a “floating” laminate floor. When the laminate moves due to changes in temperature or humidity, the cork will shrink or, on the contrary, expand, preventing the material from entering the tile and dirt from accumulating in the joint hole.

The use of a cork compensator allows you to hide the gap large thickness, however, when arranging such a joint between laminate and tiles, particularly careful trimming of the materials is necessary, since the cork is not able to hide the flaws in the work. In addition, the ends of the materials must be carefully sanded and treated in case of moisture. In particular, this applies to laminate. Most experts recommend this particular docking option. The only drawback of this approach is the experience and accuracy of the work.

It’s interesting, but some craftsmen prefer to replace the cork with polyurethane foam in order to save money. Money. This choice is not always justified. Firstly, careful protection of the material from contact with polyurethane foam is required. And if it is quite easy to remove the remaining foam from ceramics, then you will have to tinker with the laminate so as not to spoil the surface. Secondly, polyurethane foam Over time, it turns yellow and dries out under the influence of direct rays of the sun - this fact also needs to be taken into account.