Hi all,

Due to timelines we had to install our wood before our tile. For smooth transitions from the foyer to the living room and dining room, I wanted them to butt the boards into a 'threshold' board, if that makes sense - one piece that spanned the doorway. Well, they didn't - they simply cut the boards off in the door transition. Problem is, they aren't even flush with each other... see my pathetic drawing:



2 questions I really need help with:

1) Is there a way to cut these boards to be flush with each other rather than using my circular saw and oscillating tool? (ie. a more professional way)

My plan is to lay the tile to within 1/4" and then use caulking (same color as the grout) to provide a seamless transition from tile to wood (I'm using Ditra XL and they will be the same height).

2) Should I cut the boards back even further and install a 1" strip running the opposite way so the boards butt up against it (I'd glue and finish nail it) so that it gives a really clean line, or would that look funny or be too complicated??

I hope some folks see this right away as the tiler is coming tomorrow night so I need to act fast!

Thanks!!

Well, there are a number of saws that will cut this floor back straight; but since you have a circular saw on hand, you could use that. Put a line of wide masking tape spanning the line you are going to cut to. This will help reduce splintering along the fresh cut edge. Cut carefully and slowly, using a fine toothed carbide blade. A straight edge guide may be necessary unless you have a lot of experience with the saw.
If the ceramic does not come with a threshold piece, then by all means cut back far enough to insert on made from the flooring material, as wise as the opening will allow for. To my eye, the boards running straight up to the ceramic looks incomplete, somehow.

Plan B : call the installers up and ask them to do it, since you indicate that you told them this is what you want.

Circular saw as close to the edge as possible and then use a multifunction tool to the base. Sand edge and match stain/seal/finish. Cheapest multi-fundction tool is at Harbor Freight for round 60 bucks.

So next question is - should I even bother with all of this work to butt the boards to the tile (with a 1/4" caulking), or should I just use a t-molding? For context, this is a $500k house in a $500-800k neighbourhood (I tell this only for future resale - what are buyers at this level looking for)

Thanks guys!

Butt it to 3/16 and use matching grout caulk.

There is a general market distaste for t-moulds, so I feel they should only be used when necessary, such as floating installations.
I also still feel that if you informed your installer(s) of your desire to have a threshold installed at the doorway, then you should invite them back to complete their work.

well, I decided to do it myself late last night (midnite)...

put a new 40t bosch blade on my circular saw, and let 'er rip. Fininshed the cut off with the dremel multi-max (great tool for $89 CDN). Installed a 1.5" wide strip over a length of about 6.5 feet, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. Took me about an hour and a half...

I'll post pics later. Thanks for the advice everyone!