Types of Transition Molding for Laminate Flooring

T-Molding

• T-molding gets its name from its shape. The top of the molding is flat, like the top of the letter "T," with a piece that extends straight down. The extended piece helps allow for a laminate floor's expansion, when it grows larger or smaller because of changes in temperature and humidity. These moldings traditionally are glued to a subfloor with construction adhesive. For wooden subfloors, use 6d finishing nails to install t-molding, but make sure you nail the molding to the subfloor and not the laminate. This type of transition most commonly is used with baseboard molding and is found only around a room's edges or doorways.
  
  

Reducer Molding

• Reducer molding is a slightly slanted piece of transition molding used to lead the way from a higher laminate surface to a lower flooring area. Reducer designs include one that sits flush with the laminate and one that dips slightly on both sides. Reducers are snapped onto the edges of laminate flooring pieces and held in place with glue. An overlap reducer is used on floors that require an expansion gap and it will cover about half an inch of the laminate. These are glued down like t-molding.
  
  

End Caps

• End cap or square nose transitions are placed on laminate flooring installed on stairs. These pieces also are commonly used against walls or fixtures such as fireplaces because they create an abrupt end to the laminate. Some manufacturers will not provide square nose or end cap transitions as an option for laminate flooring because they will overlap it and provide little expansion. Glue this type of transition down to the subfloor or an adjoining wall.
  
  

Threshold Molding

• Threshold molding provides a slight slope leading from laminate flooring to an adjoining area. The material overlaps the laminate but is cut to provide a half-inch expansion gap for the floor, which generally exceeds manufacturer recommendations. When the gap is too large because transition flooring sits level or above the laminate and pushes the molding up, you can trim off part of the base of threshold molding with a saw to fit the gap to your needs.