How to choose between different floor transitions?

Tips for floating floors, carpet, or ceramic tile

In architectural and construction projects, floor transitions play both an aesthetic and a functional role by ensuring safety, durability, and visual continuity between different surfaces. ATRIM offers a wide range of transition profiles, primarily manufactured in 6063 T5 anodized aluminum and stainless steel, suitable for floating floors, carpets, and ceramic tiles.
Choosing the right floor transition profile is essential to achieving a professional and functional finish in any project.

What are floor transitions and expansion joints?

Floor transitions and joints allow you to connect different types of flooring, providing visual continuity while protecting floor edges from wear and tear. In high-traffic areas, such as offices and commercial spaces, ATRIM’s transition profiles ensure floor durability and a clean, seamless finish. The product range includes items like the Separator with Quick Fix, which enables transitions between floors at the same level without visible fasteners, and the Ramp with Quick Fix, designed to compensate for height differences with an easy, clean installation system.

Types of floor transitions

Profiles for ceramic tile floors

For transitions involving ceramic tile floors, ATRIM offers solutions such as the Ramp cover (aluminum, 10 mm) and Joint cover (aluminum, 8 mm)—perfect for covering imperfections and bridging floors of different heights. These profiles are available in finishes such as matte gold, matte bronze, and matte lead.

Transition joints for floating or laminated floors

For floating or laminated floors, it is crucial to consider the material’s natural expansion. The ATRIM range includes profiles such as the Edge profile (aluminum, 13.5 mm) for perimeter joints and the Deco F profile (aluminum, 8.5 mm and 15 mm), designed for stair nosing—both available in matte chrome finish.

Transitions for carpet

For joining carpet with other flooring types, ATRIM offers the Separator (aluminum, 14 mm) and the stainless steel Strip (25 mm)—both providing a safe and aesthetic finish that prevents tripping and extends the life of the flooring materials.

Profiles for vinyl floors

In spaces with vinyl flooring, ATRIM offers a dedicated line with models such as:

• Point: Transition for vinyl floors 3 mm or thicker, available in matte chrome, matte nickel, and matte gold (27.5 mm x 7.8 mm)

• T-profile: Bridges joints between vinyl floors 3 to 5 mm thick, preventing step differences (14 mm x 4 mm)

• Ramp: Compensates for floor height differences up to 5 mm (41 mm x 7.4 mm)

• Gap: Perfect for transitions with wood or carpet (31.4 mm x 7.4 mm)

• Step: Provides stair nosing with rounded edges (23 mm x 16 mm)

Most common materials for transition profiles

Aluminum profiles

6063 T5 anodized aluminum is the predominant material used in most ATRIM profiles. Models such as the Ramp with Quick Fix (10 mm) and the Joint cover offer corrosion resistance and a modern finish—ideal for both residential and commercial projects.

Stainless steel profiles

For demanding environments, such as hospitals or areas with high moisture exposure, the stainless steel Strip and the Mushroom profile (14, 22, and 40 mm) offer maximum durability and chemical resistance.

Tips for choosing the right transition profile

Space and design

Consider the function of the space and the project’s overall aesthetic. The Separator with Quick Fix is ideal for office environments, while the Edge profile is perfectly suited for residential projects requiring a minimalist finish.

Materials and compatibility

Select profiles compatible with your flooring material:

• For vinyl flooring: Ramp and Gap are ideal for level transitions.

• For floating floors: Deco F profile and Irregular angle ensure clean finishes on edges and corners.

• For carpet: The Separator is the most recommended option.

Installation

ATRIM profiles feature systems like Quick Fix, enabling fast installation without visible fasteners. Profiles for vinyl floors can be installed with either adhesive or screws, depending on project requirements.