Methods to join tiles with panels without a transition strip
Open spaces are increasingly popular in homes where the living room is combined with the kitchen or hallway, or in bathrooms where both tiles and panels are desired. Such a connection requires careful selection of tile and panel patterns to harmonize well together, as well as using appropriate joining methods.
Self-adhesive expansion strips
Self-adhesive expansion strips are an excellent solution for joining tiles with wood-based panels without the need for traditional wide masking strips. Masking expansion gaps in thresholds between two rooms is necessary to allow for material movement due to temperature and humidity changes.
Traditional gap fillers like cork, silicone, or expansion strips fixed with dowels are not always ideal because they do not provide proper stability or allow the floor to "float," which affects product durability. Therefore, narrow and nearly invisible self-adhesive expansion strips have become more popular, offering better fit and durability.
The best current method uses self-adhesive expansion strips with high-quality adhesive and strong bonding power. This ensures a durable connection between panels and tiles, completely eliminating the risk of panels wedging against tiles, which can cause bulging and floor damage.
Another advantage of self-adhesive strips is their variety of colors, flatness, and simple shape. They come in natural shades like silver, gold, or champagne, matching modern interiors well. They are also available in wood-like colors, allowing for matching with traditional flooring styles.
Using self-adhesive expansion strips makes installation between tiles and panels simpler, more aesthetic, and more durable. Therefore, consider using them during renovations or space arrangements to ensure a long-lasting and visually pleasing transition between different materials.
Joining tiles and panels – things to consider
The effect of combining two different floor types can be impressive or disappointing, depending on the skill of execution. It is important that the joining of tiles and wood-based panels is done aesthetically and properly.
The first thing noticed about a room’s floor is its color scheme. In small rooms, to avoid visually shrinking the space, it is best to choose similar or matching shades and colors for tiles and panels. In larger spaces, you can be more adventurous, playing with contrasting colors and tile patterns that partially coordinate with panel colors.
Always remember to leave an expansion gap of about 8-10 mm at the junction between wood-based floor panels and other materials. On the remaining three walls, apply an expansion gap of no less than 12 mm. This gap ensures the floor can expand and contract freely.
Another popular option is installing water-resistant wood-based panels, like the Aquatus collection, which works well in kitchens and does not require expansion gaps between open kitchens and living rooms if the total combined area does not exceed 64 m².
