How high is too high?

Wanttodoitright · 05-02-2008, 02:59 PM

I will need to transition tile to hardwood. The top of the subfloor for the area I want to tile is even with the top of my hardwood floor (the area was carpeted). Adding cement board, mortar or thinset, and the thickness of the tile on top of this seems like I will be creating a tripping hazard.

The subfloor looks to be similar to the hardwood in regards to the dimensions of the boards, but of a different material (or maybe it's the same and was never finished and hidden under carpet?) and has a black, "tar-like" substance all over it.

What is the maximum height for a transition in a case like this?

It doesn't seem practical to rip up the subfloor, but I see no other alternative if I want the tile to be level with the hardwood, or at least have a reasonable transition.

angus242 · 05-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Unless the room to be tiled is an addition or something else odd, the subfloor should be at the same level as the subfloor under the hardwood. Sounds like you have another layer to remove. If you have access to the subfloor in question from underneath, try to see what's really under there.