It is unlikely that someone will say that the threshold for the floor (cover) is the main detail in the interior of the room, but all the same, such elements are important: it is they that give the space completeness, emphasize the elegance of design. Often these decorative elements are used to hide technological gaps, which can be between two rooms in a house. In addition, the floor threshold helps to connect floor coverings that differ in structure or color; it also helps to mask irregularities and edges that have been poorly processed. Lining also perform protective functions - it is not without reason that it is customary to wash the floor from the threshold. It should be remembered that they protect floor coverings in vulnerable areas from rapid wear.
Varieties of Thresholds
There is a traditional classification, according to which it is customary to distinguish four main types of thresholds:
- In the form of a sphere (it has open places for fastenings) - such structures are mounted where the floor coverings of different rooms are separated if they are on the same level.
- Spherical in shape, but with hidden fasteners (installed where floor materials are separated, but the joints are not visible).
- Multilevel thresholds for the floor - this solution is chosen when you need to connect coatings that are at different levels.
- L-shaped thresholds - they are put in order to connect those coatings on the floor that are not only at different levels, but also join in the most difficult places. These pads are chosen when others cannot be used.
In addition, there are final thresholds (they are placed near the entrance doors or before leaving the loggia) - they are needed in order to close the gap that appears when there is a strong difference between the two levels. Often there are metal, wooden, cork overlays. The oldest solution is wood sills. These products look great with any furniture products in the room, in perfect harmony with the doors.
Metal sills
Today metal floor linings are very popular - the construction market offers consumers an impressive range of such products. As a rule, products are made of aluminum. Such thresholds for the floor, the price of which varies significantly, can be made in different forms: there are overlays for bronze, gold, silver, wood - it is easy to guess what will cost more and what is cheaper. With the help of such products, you can make any interior more interesting, additionally emphasize the flooring in the room.
More about pricing:
- the most budget options will cost you 50-100 rubles for 1 nut;
- mid-range products cost between 200-400 rubles;
- the cost of expensive products starts from 450 rubles.
Metal thresholds for the floor will help protect the most vulnerable areas in your home, including stairs and corners (as well as the material used to finish the floor). All products are equipped with a profiled surface, due to which they achieve an anti-slip effect.
Threshold setting
Before starting work, they perform all the necessary measurements - the length of an individual profile is determined. The design of the lining is made in such a way that the elements can be cut into pieces of different sizes. The instruction manual accompanies each kit, the installation process is also described in detail there. The thresholds for the floor with a difference are laid in order to really effectively and beautifully combine completely different coatings in the house. Installation of linings, in fact, is not at all a difficult task, this process can hardly be called labor-intensive either (especially when compared with other repair work). But in the device of the floor, this is certainly an important stage. If the threshold for the floor in a particular area is set correctly, the general appearance of the coating will be impeccable - you can not worry about this. Lugs are usually mounted in two ways - closed and open.
Closed threshold mounting method
This option is resorted to if you want the joint between the floor coverings to be harmonious, beautiful - a flexible threshold for the floor will help to bring the plan to life. Fixing is carried out by special fastening structures that have guides, you can find them on the underside of the product. Such a system helps to make a truly reliable connection of joints, the appearance of the floor is effectively complemented. The application of sills on liquid nails is attributed to the same method of attachment. Experts advise choosing a closed installation method in order to process joints in the corridors of office and residential facilities.
Open pad mounting
In this case, the masking element of the floor is attached to the screws. If you bought metal sills, they should already have matching holes. This type of fastener is usually used where you need to connect surfaces at different levels. Profiles with the help of self-tapping screws are fixed very securely, but the caps remain in sight - for all the elements that serve for fixing.
Cork linings
What about the thresholds that are made of cork? Specialists call this choice universal. A distinctive feature of the material is that it is very flexible. Due to this property, it is possible to obtain wide thresholds for floors of various shapes. However, these products have a drawback: they are not able to hide the edges of the flooring - it is important to remember this when choosing overlays.
Color matching
To achieve harmony in the design of the flooring, you should think about what color your joining thresholds will have. It is usually selected to match the materials that were used in the interior and generally used in the work. There are certain principles that are recommended to be guided.
- It is worth choosing the classic option - that is, such sills will have the same color as the floor skirtings. In this case, the lining will be beneficial to complement certain decoration elements, so you can get a completely finished interior. The classic solution allows you to get the harmony of color in the room.
- You can choose the color of the doorway that is in the room. As a result, the door takes on a clear outline, where every detail works to fit the element into the overall composition harmoniously. This method allows you to perfectly divide the space if you have adjacent rooms.
- Under the color of the floor - this method is especially popular today. Thanks to this technique, you can make an imperceptible transition between rooms, the image of the room comes out complete. The threshold, which has a hue of floor grouting of tiles, looks very interesting - especially when contrast is maintained.
Types of Docking Thresholds
Today there are three types of thresholds: leveling, t-molding, final. What can be said about the first variety of products? This design is needed when you create a smooth transition between different levels of the floor. Due to this, it is possible to combine different floor materials with each other, for example, carpet and ceramic tiles. The range of permissible heights varies from 3 to 18 mm. When the work is done, the result is neat, all the uneven edges are masked, a convenient transition appears between the rooms.
A special option is used when it is necessary to work with hard floors. Such a pad has a beveled edge, as well as a smooth transition to a low from a high level. Powder lining emphasizes texture, and also significantly increases the strength of the floor itself.
T-molding is needed in situations where different coatings are smoothed at the same level. It perfectly connects parquet and laminate flooring, gaining a complete look. The name is also not accidental - the shape of the product is somewhat similar to the letter "T", due to this, the joints between the coatings are aligned. The profile of this nut can be curved or straight - thanks to this it can be adjusted to the floors of any configuration.
Final - this floor threshold is needed when it is necessary to fix the coating near the steps, balconies or entrance doors. Most often used on those surfaces that have a large difference in height. The final nut is a great tool to effectively finish the finish on one level and highlight the next surface.
Remember that each type of docking threshold has its own functions and solves certain problems. That is, the choice of the element must be approached responsibly, oriented not only on the type of floor coverings (which must be combined), but also on the functions of the lining itself.
How to buy perfect thresholds?
Today, companies produce a variety of docking sills, in the construction market you can find both simple and very decorative options. Due to the wide range of colors and textures used, the consumer can buy floor profiles even for the most sophisticated rooms.
To achieve the best effect, you need to analyze - for what functions the room serves you, what materials the floor or other elements in it are made of. Then it will be easy to choose the perfect lining, and the result will live up to all expectations.