How do I make an aesthetically pleasing joint between PVC flooring and tiling?

During technical visits to construction sites, it is very important to pay attention to where the floor covering joins with another flooring material. Often this is between 9-12 mm of porcelain stoneware, with the majority of flexible floor coverings oscillating in the 2-3 mm thickness range. The client's wish is to avoid a wide, medium-thick threshold strip levelling the height difference between the materials. In such a situation, we have the task of levelling out the carpet with the tiles and connecting these materials aesthetically. How can this be done?

The easiest way is to pour the smoothing compound to such a thickness that will leave space for the carpet to be glued in. Usually, you should pour about 10 mm of the compound. Remember to leave some circumferential expansion gaps. Pouring the smoothing compound to the desired thickness is the safest, aesthetically pleasing, but not exactly cheap.

The second more economical solution is to make a so-called 'chamfer in the threshold' by stretching the smoothing compound to form a gentle overrun. Then pouring a levelling compound over the floor to a minimum thickness to smooth the substrate.  This solution is often chosen by clients due to limited budgets. It is important to bear in mind that this solution works up to a certain height. The greater the difference in floor levels, the greater the risk that the smoothened overrun will be visible and not always accepted by the client.

It is very important to make sure that tile setters finish their material in the thresholds with the so-called L-shaped corner profile. By using it, we can cut the lining precisely, aesthetically, and the joint will be less susceptible to damage in the future.