Transition Decision

Q: What can we do about the uneven transition between our main floor and the kitchen? My husband has just put down gorgeous hardwood on the main floor, but it’s 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch higher than the kitchen, even with a full transition strip in place. Now he wants to raise the kitchen floor by tiling it, but that means our dishwasher wouldn’t fit underneath the counter. We’d then have to replace the countertop along with all the plumbing in and around the kitchen sink, none of which we can afford or endure. Is there another possible solution?

A: Home renovations can be a lot like a long row of upright dominos. Once the first few start to fall, it's hard to stop the rest. One thing leads to another. And although I can understand your husband's temptation to see this whole project through with new flooring, new countertops and new plumbing, that's really much, much farther than you need to go. In dealing with different floor heights in situations like yours, I've found that a custom-cut strip of hardwood does a terrific job. Even if you're not a woodworker, getting a piece of wood cut and rounded to match your particular transition height is a whole lot easier on your pocketbook and your marriage than any major kitchen rebuild. Live with this option for a month, and if a new floor and countertop still seem like a good idea, then you've lost nothing exploring another approach. The best wood to use for a transition is a species that naturally has the same colour as the hardwood floor it flanks. That way, when wear-and-tear sets in, it won't reveal lighter, non-stained wood.