CFI Transition & Trim Installation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A hardwood floor installer needs to transition from 3/4-inch solid hardwood to 1/2-inch engineered hardwood in an adjacent room. Which transition piece is most appropriate?
- T-molding
- Flush reducer (Correct answer)
- Stair nosing
- End cap
Correct answer: Flush reducer
A flush reducer is designed specifically to bridge the gap between two hard-surface floors that are close in height but not exactly the same.
Question 2: When installing stair nosings on LVP (luxury vinyl plank) stairs, the nosing must be rated for:
- At least 200 lbs per step
- Commercial-grade traffic only
- Stair use specifically, with a slip-resistant surface (Correct answer)
- Indoor use with carpet underlay beneath
Correct answer: Stair use specifically, with a slip-resistant surface
Stair nosings on LVP installations must be specifically rated for stair use and include a slip-resistant surface to meet safety codes.
Question 3: What is the recommended maximum gap between the subfloor and the bottom of a transition track before additional shimming or leveling compound is required?
- 3/16 inch (Correct answer)
- 1/8 inch
- 3/8 inch
- 1/4 inch
Correct answer: 3/16 inch
A gap greater than 3/16 inch under a transition track can cause it to flex under foot traffic, leading to squeaking or fastener failure.
Question 4: When installing a transition strip at a doorway where the door swings over the flooring, the installer should verify that:
- The transition strip is no taller than 1/2 inch
- The door clears the transition strip when opening and closing (Correct answer)
- The transition strip is centered under the door stop
- The transition is fastened with only one fastener to allow movement
Correct answer: The door clears the transition strip when opening and closing
The door must swing freely over the transition strip without dragging or catching; if clearance is insufficient, the door must be undercut.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the purpose of a wall base (cove base) in a commercial flooring installation?
- It provides expansion gap coverage at walls on floating floors
- It creates a sanitary, easily cleanable joint between the floor and wall (Correct answer)
- It is used only on carpet installations
- It replaces the need for a moisture barrier at the perimeter
Correct answer: It creates a sanitary, easily cleanable joint between the floor and wall
Cove base in commercial settings creates a seamless, cleanable junction between the floor and wall, preventing debris and moisture from accumulating in corners.
Question 6: A transition track on a concrete slab keeps pulling loose within weeks of installation. What is the most likely root cause?
- The flooring was installed in the wrong direction
- Concrete moisture is degrading the adhesive bond (Correct answer)
- The transition piece is the wrong color
- T-molding was used instead of a reducer
Correct answer: Concrete moisture is degrading the adhesive bond
Moisture migrating through a concrete slab breaks down the adhesive used to secure transition tracks, causing repeated fastener and adhesive failure.
Question 7: When installing aluminum transition strips over tile, a professional installer pre-drills holes through the tile to prevent:
- The tile from expanding
- The bit from dulling prematurely
- The tile from cracking due to the force of drilling (Correct answer)
- Adhesive bleed-through
Correct answer: The tile from cracking due to the force of drilling
Tile is brittle, and forcing a screw without a pilot hole can fracture the tile; pre-drilling with a tile/masonry bit removes this risk.
CFI Transition & Trim Installation 4
A hardwood floor installer needs to transition from 3/4-inch solid hardwood to 1/2-inch engineered hardwood in an adjacent room.
Which transition piece is most appropriate?