How To Transition Vinyl Plank Flooring To Stairs
You might know that the right flooring can be an essential part of your home, bringing a room together and adding to its aesthetic appeal. What you might not know is how to pick the right flooring for every area of your home! From the basement to the bedrooms and everything in between, there are a lot of different places in your house that needs flooring.
Adding new flooring to any part of your home will require some redecorating and planning, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here we will show you how to transition vinyl plank flooring from a lower level or finished basement up the stairs into an upper level or second story. If you have a finished basement with a separate entrance outside of the main house, then this article won’t apply to you—but don’t worry, there are other great ways to include it as part of your home!
Why Vinyl Plank?
Vinyl plank flooring has a number of benefits, including a relative ease of installation, a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures—including wood-look options—as well as affordability. It will also stand up to high foot traffic and can be cleaned with a quick mop and disinfectant.
Vinyl flooring is also environmentally friendly, with a low risk of off-gassing, making it a great choice for families with young children and babies. Additionally, it is a great option for outdoor spaces, including patios, porches, and decks, as it stands up well to inclement weather. Vinyl flooring is also a good choice if you have allergies, as it is often made without the use of pesticides. It is also a great option if you are remodeling a space with poor air quality, like a basement, as it is easy to install over old or subpar flooring.
Your Guide to Transitions
If you are transitioning from an upper level to a lower level of your home, or vice-versa, then you will need to pick a transition piece that will blend the two flooring types together. There are a few options for this, including a stair-nosing, a stair-tread, or a threshold with a built-in transition piece. A stair-nosing will cover the front edge of the step and blend in with the upper level flooring of your choice, like hardwood, ceramic tile, or other materials. A well-made stair-tread will also provide a seamless transition between the two flooring types. A threshold with a built-in transition piece will extend the lower level flooring up the stairs, covering the threshold and extending to the upper level flooring. This is a good option if you have a wide gap between the two flooring types.
Step 1: Determine the New Flooring Type
If you have decided to replace your current vinyl flooring with another type of vinyl flooring, then you may not need any transitions. If, however, you have decided to transition from vinyl to another type of flooring, you will need to select the new type of flooring for the upper level. There are a number of different types of flooring available today, including hardwood, tile, and linoleum. When transitioning from vinyl to hardwood, you will need to install a stair-nosing to cover the front edge of the step. Hardwood will also require a transition strip to cover the threshold and extend the lower level vinyl up to the upper level hardwood. When transitioning from vinyl to tile, it is important to note that ceramic and linoleum tiles are not compatible, meaning that you can’t use a vinyl tile in place of a ceramic tile. You will need to select ceramic tile, and you may also need to take into account the weight of the tile and any subflooring issues that may arise. You may also need to adjust your stairs to account for the change in height.
Step 2: Select the Right Upside-Down Trim
If you are transitioning from vinyl to hardwood, then you will need to find the right upside-down trim to go along with your transition strip. Hardwood can be installed with either a grooved or a smooth edge, but grooved is the most traditional option. If you are transitioning from vinyl to tile, then you will need to find the right trim to go along with your tile. Trim is an important part of any flooring installation, but it is especially important when transitioning between two flooring types. If the trim isn’t installed correctly, then it can create an unsightly gap between the two flooring types. Trim is available in a variety of materials and styles, so you will likely be able to find one that will work for your home and budget.
Step 3: Select the Finishing Touches
After you have completed your transitions and picked the new flooring type for your upper level, you will need to make a few finishing touches to complete the installation. This includes cutting the transition strip to the appropriate length, measuring and installing the stair-nosing or threshold, and installing any baseboard molding. If you are transitioning from vinyl to a hardwood, you will need to make sure that you extend the transition strip all the way up the stairs and along the threshold, covering any seams between the two flooring types. You will also need to make sure that you extend the transition strip along the baseboard molding, covering any seams between the flooring types in the room corners.
Final Thoughts
When transitioning from one flooring type to another, it is important to take your time and be as precise as possible. This will help to avoid any damage to the subflooring, and it will also give you a clean and professional-looking installation. If you have any questions or concerns about making the transition from vinyl to another flooring type, don’t hesitate to reach out to a flooring professional.
