How to transition for 1" step down from new wood flooring to old. Contractor says it can't be done w/ reducer?

Question

I will have a 1" difference between new & old flooring. Contractor wants to rip out subflooring & I would like to save money & use a transition strip. He says 1" is too high. What about a wide wooden transition about 6" to allow a gradual transition?

Answer 1

Why does he want to rip out the sub floor?

If he does he could also put in a new sub floor to bring it even.

I'm sure you could get a bevelled peice of wood at Home Depot & stain it, then butt it up to the new floor.

Regardless of what you do, is this going to cause a tripping hazard.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Of course a transition strip can be done, and as you suggest, ramping it over 6 inches would not be a tripping hazard.  The problem is, this is not something that you will find as a stock item, and will have to have this custom milled.  Expect to pay $50-60 for this, but this is still far less expensive than either taking up the old floor, or building up under the new.  I would lose faith and not use a contractor who says this can not be done.

Answer 3

Yes you can do it, but it might cost a little more say if a transition strip is $5 this might cost $15 but it can be done. Do not listen to the contractor! Also he might not know any better, we are not all the same. Some of us read and others only know what we know! Hope that helps!