Linoleum Paths: Types And Sizes Of Thresholds Connecting Rooms, Metal Connecting Strip Between Laminate And Linoleum

During repair work in an apartment or a private house, a huge variety of materials are used. They need not only to be used correctly and efficiently, but also to be able to combine with each other, creating a single composition. One of the very popular types of flooring is linoleum, but this does not mean that only it should be used for laying on the floor.

If you combine this material, for example, with floor tiles or laminate, you can create not only a functional, but also a beautifully decorated floor.

To make the transition between different floor coverings and individual parts of linoleum invisible, special sills for linoleum are used. Let's figure out what their functions are, what types and sizes they are, what materials they are made from and how to install them correctly so that this element will serve for a long time.

Functions

The main functions of the nut:

Protects joints from dirt - if you install this element on the floor, then your floor will be protected from dust, dirt and moisture. Thanks to such a joining, the linoleum will be protected from delamination, and mold will not form under it.
Protects linoleum from rupture at the joints and joints.
Eliminates differences - when joining two floor coverings that differ in height, such a docking bar will smooth out the differences in height as much as possible and will not allow the material to delaminate. Such a nut can be used to join, for example, linoleum and laminate.
It acts as a decorative element - even if you try to dock the individual elements as much as possible, the seam or the joint will remain visible, which do not look aesthetically pleasing at all. To avoid this situation, you need to use a linoleum sill.
Improves the perception of various types of coatings. This makes the various floor coverings look like a single unit, without contrasting with each other in color, texture and shade.
A similar sill is used as a connecting strip between rooms.

Thanks to the listed functions of such planks, you will be able to create the perfect design covering, without even resorting to the help of specialists.

Types and sizes

Depending on the functional features, there are several types of sills for linoleum:

Direct (also known as single-level) - used to dock one or more options of different materials. Such floor coverings are located at the same level or have a minimum drop of no more than 1 mm.
Differential (the second name is multilevel) - used to connect materials that differ in height. Similar planks are used to join linoleum to floor tiles, laminate or parquet flooring. They are able to neutralize even significant differences in the height of floor coverings, the size of such a difference can range from 0.3 to 1.8 cm.

Finishing - stacked in the place where the linoleum ended, and docking with another coating is not carried out. Most often, these sills are used in doorways.
Corner (also called staircase) - this plinth has an angular shape and acts as a fastener to dock and fix materials on stairs. These elements are very flexible because they are made of rubber.
Final - used to form an approach to the threshold or podium, which has a large difference in height.

Please note that sills for linoleum must be chosen, focusing on the applied floor covering, the existing differences in height, the requirements put forward for the service life. The service life of this product will be influenced not only by the correct type of nut, but also by the material from which it is made, as well as how correctly it was installed.

The sills can be either wide or narrow in size. Most often, wide sills are used to hide the large gap formed between different floor coverings. The narrow plinth is less visible against the general background and does not attract much attention.

Manufacturing materials and design

Laminate runners are available in a variety of materials. The most common options are:

metal;
plastic;
rubber;
cork.

Metallic

One of the most popular skirting boards are metal models, as they are characterized by a long service life and a presentable appearance. Such products are made from either brass or aluminum. Aluminum thresholds are more common than brass counterparts, as they have a lower cost.

The main advantages of aluminum sills include:

They are lightweight and durable, so they will last a very long time, retaining their original appearance.
They are used both in residential and non-residential premises, since they perfectly tolerate temperature changes, stress and high humidity.
They are made in various sizes: both narrow and wide. If the aluminum threshold fits into the doorway, which is characterized by non-standard dimensions, then such a product is very easy to shorten, just use a hacksaw or grinder.
The smooth surface helps to make even large differences in height less visible.

The only drawback of such a bar is that you can easily slip on it. This feature should be taken into account especially by those families with small children or elderly people. To avoid an unforeseen traumatic situation, it is better to opt for an aluminum skirting board, which has a corrugated strip in the middle. Such a product can even be placed in a bathroom, where the floor is very often slippery.

During the production of metal thresholds, they can be painted in a variety of colors that mimic bronze, silver or gold. The use of lamination technology helps to produce a skirting board, the finish of which will resemble wood, stone or other material in texture.

Plastic

For the production of such strips, polyvinyl chloride is used. The main advantage of plastic sills is its extensive color palette, which is obtained due to the fact that the paint is added to the original composition.

Most often, such products are used to combine various kinds of floor coverings, for example, linoleum with carpet.

An important advantage of plastic skirting boards is also high flexibility, which helps to decorate curved joints in floor coverings. It is worth considering when choosing such a product that its service life is limited, since it is fragile and may eventually lose its ideal appearance. After a certain time, it will have to be replaced, but since the cost of plastic sills is small, you can do this without harming the family budget.

Rubber

Such thresholds for linoleum are made in two versions:

completely rubber;
having an aluminum base.

They are used in decoration in order to minimize slipping of the floor covering.

Rubber skirting boards also perfectly connect curved seams.

Cork

Such strips are used to fasten linoleum, since the cork has excellent shock-absorbing properties. Due to this feature, they are also called compensation rails. Cork sills can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes.

A wide selection of materials and a variety of colors allows you to finish the floor covering for any, even the most fastidious taste.

Installation and fastening methods

In order to hide the joints between laminate and linoleum, it is necessary to correctly install the sill. The most popular installation method is dowel fasteners. In this case, a decorative skirting board with an aluminum strip is used. Such an attachment is called hidden, since the dowels are hidden under the cover plate and do not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the floor covering.

In order to secure the planks correctly, carry out the process in stages:

measure the seams;
cut the nut, adjusting it to the desired size;
clean the seams from dirt and dust;
lay the planks, moving from the center to the seam with the marked laying place;
outline where the dowels should be;
using a drill, make holes into which the fasteners will be inserted;
further, screws should be screwed on and a decorative strip should be installed on top of them.

There are also small tricks on how to fix linoleum when laying, which is characterized by curvilinear or arcuate joints. There are two ways to fix the strips at such joints:

Soft joint - in this case, a flexible plinth is used, which is attached to the floor, and a decorative strip is put on top. Such products are very easy to bend. They are able to hide the joints between laminate and linoleum 1 centimeter on each side.
The aluminum profile is able to hide small joints (several millimeters on each side).

The process of securing the plank is as follows:

Drill holes for dowels in the floor.
Measure the threshold of the appropriate length, insert the dowels into the holes.
To give the profile the desired shape, it must be immersed in water heated to 70 degrees, and left there for 20 minutes. After this time, the nut will become very flexible and it will be easy to bend it.
Next, you need to screw the plinth onto the self-tapping screws and insert the plug on top.

The threshold to the balcony is most often attached to mounting foam:

It is necessary to clean the base under the threshold from contamination.
Measure the opening and cut off the nut of the required length.
Further, you should lay an even layer of polyurethane foam.
Place the sill on top and put a load that will hold the structure in the desired position.
After the foam dries, the gaps formed at the joints should be closed with silicone sealant.
The ends of the nut are closed with special plugs.

Successful examples and options

More and more design solutions include the use of several flooring options at the same time. So, a combination of linoleum and ceramic tiles is used for the kitchen, this will allow you to zone the space, separating the work area from the dining room.

Floor tiles and linoleum can be connected in curved lines. In this case, it is better to use a cork nut, since during the installation and tightening of the screws, it contracts and almost completely merges with the surface, leveling it.

The combination of linoleum with laminate or parquet is equally popular. If you use a similar combination in the hallway, it will be practical. Using a linoleum insert near the threshold, you will protect your laminate or parquet from getting wet, which becomes relevant in rainy or snowy weather.

A perfect solution for a kitchen studio will be a combination of linoleum and carpet. The working area is lined with linoleum and you don't have to worry that during cooking the floor gets dirty and it will be difficult to clean it. Carpet will look great in the dining area, adding coziness and comfort to it. Use a split sill to bond such flooring materials.