Match Hardwood Floor With Tile Height
There will be unlimited scenarios with matching any new hardwood floor to an existing tiled area. The video segment 
below looks at removing an older vinyl floor in a great room area that also had carpeting. The segment also focuses on not using the more common t-molding to transition the two areas.
Transcript of the video
We’ve all seen how ugly moldings can be. Here the customer 
wanted the new hardwood to sit vertically flush with a tiled kitchen just as it did with a vinyl plank floor that was getting removed.
Stepping back you get a better idea of the layout. Here’s the tricky part. Not only did the vinyl have to get removed, but the underlayment too. But that’s only one quarter inch. The new floor will still be a half inch higher than the tile if we stop there.
Once the test section was removed and a sample of the ¾ inch hardwood to be used was placed against the tile we’re now ¼ inch lower. This is where most give up and make an excuse for a molding. Why? There could be several reasons. They don’t know how to handle it right, don’t have the time or the customer doesn’t want to spend the money to have it done right. How about throwing some shingles in there? Forget it. Too much of a difference.
So what’s the solution? Add a layer of ¼ inch plywood so we now have the tile and wood at the same vertical plane. And no ugly molding either.
Here’s where the cost issue probably comes in for many. Not only did this section require removal, but the rest of the room that measured 500 square feet. Plus we needed to install that ¼ inch plywood in the entire room. Material costs alone run around $250 plus labor to tear out the ¾ inch plywood and install the new underlayment. All told the job cost can increase from $800 to $1500 and plenty more depending on where you live.
Once the floor was installed sanded, stained and finished, the customer got what he was looking for. A new solid ¾ inch hardwood floor without any of those ugly moldings.
So now that you have the basics…what looks best to you?
