Transitions, also known as floor trims and reducers, are often underappreciated but nonetheless critical last-minute elements of a successful flooring installation in either commercial or residential spaces. Daniel Koutavas, territory business manager for Fishman Flooring Solutions’ Southeast Region, about transitions and the value they bring to flooring installations. 

FLOOR Trends & Installation: How important are properly installed transitions transitions to installations? 

Koutavas: Transitions are a very important aspect of most flooring projects. They are the finishing accessories that will ultimately complete flooring installations, in both residential and commercial settings. Transitions can be used to bridge flooring of different heights, protect the edges of floors, or to separate rooms. 

FLOOR: What percentage of transition installations are done properly, in your opinion? Are there any installation issues that stand out to you?

Koutavas: Many transitions are installed properly today, but it is still a common occurrence to see transitions separating or coming loose on the floor; gapping, which is when long stretches of transitions start to split from one another, usually at the end joints; and transitions that have been damaged over time by heavy foot traffic. When transitions are improperly selected and installed, it can create problems ranging from tripping hazards to a flooring visual that is aesthetically jarring.

In my opinion, there are two primary reasons for these issues. First, the transition that is selected may not be the best fit for the flooring situation. Second, the adhesive used to install the transition is not sufficient to accommodate the foot traffic expected for the floor.  Some transition pieces can easily be installed with something like pressure sensitive tape, while others may require a more aggressive adhesive for a more permanent bond. 

FLOOR: Is there a rule of thumb to help installers and other decision makers select the right transitions for the installation job at hand? 

Koutavas: Not necessarily. The top installers and specifiers invest time in researching which transitions will be best for their specific flooring installations. Also, manufacturers, such as Johnsonite and Bonnell Aluminum, have transition selection charts that can be very helpful in determining which transition will work best for a given installation.

FLOOR: You mentioned the importance of using the right adhesive when installing transitions. Can you talk more about this?

Koutavas: Using a proper adhesive is one of the most important factors in successfully installing transitions. Some projects require an immediate bond for quick access. Other installations need a permanent bond for longevity. Certain transitions can also be mechanically fastened in conjunction with adhesive to provide an additional layer of durability. Adhesives for transitions include epoxies, contact cement, construction adhesive, and double-sided tapes. 

FLOOR: Where should installers go to determine the right adhesives for the job?

Koutavas: Installers will need to go to the manufacturer of the specific transition to make sure they are following the proper installation instructions. Each manufacturer will have different recommendations based on the transition selected and the intended application. 

FLOOR: Are there differences in the transitions that are installed in commercial spaces compared to residential spaces? 

Koutavas: Absolutely! This will often be determined by the expected foot traffic volume. Commercial transitions will sometimes need to withstand thousands of people stepping on them daily; shopping carts rolling across them; or perhaps pallet jacks carrying heavy materials crossing them regularly. Residential floor transitions will experience a lot less foot traffic and potential damage by comparison and will accommodate flooring that you would more commonly see in homes. 

FLOOR: ADA compliance is a critical issue when installing transitions for commercial flooring. What should installers know about this issue? 

Koutavas: ADA compliance is very critical when installing transitions in commercial spaces where floors are not the same height. To accommodate those who are disabled, there are a range of ADA compliant transitions that address flooring height differences and enable wheel chair access for those who need it. One example that comes to mind is Schluter’s Reno Ramp K, which is a wide transition that is ADA compliant. 

FLOOR: Have there been any improvements recently in transition technology?

Koutavas: Yes, there have been some innovations and improvements in transitions in the last few years. First, there have been some new slim trim profiles introduced to reduce the width of transitions. The idea behind this is to reduce the overall visual of the larger 1”+ wide transitions that have been the standard for some time in order to create a more refined look on the floor. 

Also, many manufacturers have been introducing vinyl floors with an increased overall thickness. To accommodate these floors, transitions in commercial and residential spaces have been modified to accept 4mm, 5mm, and larger flooring depending on the application. 

FLOOR: What new transition-related products stand out to you and why are they important to successful transition installations?

Koutavas: The Make-it-Match tool system is one new product that stands out. It enables the decorative wear layer of any rigid core LVP to be removed from a plank and then applied to an existing transition, saving time by creating a matching trim right there on the job. This is a great solution when a project is being held up because matching transitions need to be manufactured. In today’s world, saving time means saving money and that’s what this product does for installers, specifiers, and end users.