Carpet to Vinyl Plank Transition Made Easy: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Learn how to transition from carpet to vinyl plank flooring with this easy-to-follow step-by-step tutorial. Whether you're installing new floors or renovating your home, this guide will make the process a breeze.
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00:18⚙️ Tutorial on transitioning carpet to vinyl plank, including the importance of z bar and avoiding floor bouncing.
02:22⚒️ Installing transition from carpet to vinyl plank requires proper nail placement, trimming, and precautions for doorways.
04:58🔑 Tips for securing transition strips: use duct tape to attach felt to the pad, ensure the tack strip is completely stuck before working the z bar.
07:25⏩ Tips for transitioning from carpet to vinyl plank: use z bar as a guide, bend z bar for easier tucking, turn under the carpet for a comfortable fit.
10:15🔑 Improving the visual appearance of the carpet-to-vinyl transition by pulling out fibers for a professional finish.

[@brucestubbs6944]

Thank you so much. This helped me with the problem I was encountering and gave me some detailed instruction and explanation to move forward.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@grantimus1]

Searched dozens of guides...all incomplete...this covers every detail! Excellent guide!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I’m very nice, thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@Craig-ib7gk]

I've seen two videos by this man on proper z-bar installation, and both are absolutely top-shelf instructions. Nice work.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you very much

[@BackToYa]

Great video! I'm working on a basement floor transition just like this but it's on concrete and this is the best video I have found and shows exactly how I want to do it. I hope I can do it half as good as you did in the video!

[@neomacchio4692]

This is one of the most clear and concise how-to videos I’ve ever watched. Thank you!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you very much. I’m glad you like it.

[@TSGLL4M4]

Thank you! DIY homeowner, never did this type of transition. Your directions and tips were extremely helpful. I did two of these following your directions and they both turned out great!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@TSGLL4M4 that’s awesome

[@markpr73]

Soooo glad I found this video! I have a coat closet that was carpeted but the carpet was damaged by a leaking water heater in an adjoining room. I pulled that carpet out and replaced it with laminate flooring but still have the rough edge of the carpet to deal with. My handyman told me that I needed a certain type of transition strip ( it’s going into concrete flooring) and all I could remember was that there was a “Z” in the name. Now I know what it is.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@emi1y]

Thank you so much for this walkthrough, it was the exact level of detail I needed. Looking forward to trying this instead of my usual vinyl transition strips!

[@jmpsmith9]

Just did this! Best tutorial we found!!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Wonderful, thank you for sharing that

[@timp3257]

Excellent video!! I hate t-moldings and this is exactly what I was looking for. You are a very well spoken person. Very detailed. Thank you.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I hope it turned out nice

[@NutsandBoltswithTone]

Fantastic walk through, followed step by step turned out great. Thank you for sharing

[@BrAdiCaL-77]

I put down Vinyl in my office and the hallway is carpet. This was the perfect transition in my doorway. Excellent job being so detailed in this video. I went ahead and hit that subscribe button.

[@CodeCuttlefish]

Amazing video with perfect instruction. Thank you!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Glad to hear, thank you

[@jlander82]

Thank you for the excellent instruction and camera angles!

[@nomadryder4377]

Doing this tomorrow thanks to you. Have concrete floors, but still gonna do the tack strip and felt in the 3 bedrooms with the z bar to my lvp in the hallway. From plank on my stairs to this video, you've helped me get my new house in shape. Appreciate your knowledge and you sharing it very much.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Congratulations on your new home,

[@nomadryder4377]

@Floors by Southern boys Thank You, been alot of work but we are almost to the finish line.

[@heatherpierce9149]

Great video. The detail and instruction you provide is extremely helpful - thank you!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you for sharing that. It’s inspiring.

[@robertyoungs6360]

Excellent information. I like your solution to allow expansion of the vinyl tile flooring. My installation is over concrete so I’ll adjust accordingly. I may try to include an adhesive under the Z-bar/tack strip combination. The trick there will be adhesion to both wood strip and metal Z, plus to brittle-hardness like epoxy. I’ll check your other videos to see if you have recommendations there also. Much appreciated.

[@benernst2764]

Great video. I've been looking for this exact video for like three years now LOL THANKS!!!!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@michaelwoythaler]

Thank you much for sharing the tips. Blessings 🙏

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@michaelwoythaler your welcome

[@RickYelley]

True professional

[@SBizz1e]

Thank you so much work like a charm and looks a lot better than the plastic trim pieces

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@greggmiller9495]

Great presentation and detail. You answered every question i came here with. Thanks, brother.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@randywl8925]

I wish Z-bar was one gauge thicker like it used to be. I keep mine farther away from the planks so it lays like it was hand tacked. I made a tool that goes under and butts to the Z-bar and has an upward lip to cut against to trim the carpet at the right length to fold under. I had a sheet metal shop make the bends. You can apply a strip of 3/4 or 1 inch blue tape exactly on the edge of the plank to use as a visual aid to check for consistency as you cut the carpet edge that will be folded under. Peel it off before folding under and hammering down the metal.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Cool

[@berkscatbill5582]

you have a very good post here, no fluff just info. and it looks like the same rules apply to many other types of installs. thanks for doing this.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you and you’re welcome

[@Tom-e8s5t]

Thanks 😊

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@Tom-e8s5t 😀👍

[@chrisfields9919]

We use cap metal, and tuck to it. Works perfect. Much faster

[@sman6435]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Glad you like it and I hope it helps

[@macoeur1122]

Love it! Seems to address all problems related to ditching the transition strip. I'm going to try and buy my carpet from someone who's willing and/or able to do my transition this way. I really don't like the look of transition strips.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I don’t blame you, I don’t either

[@reggieantoine460]

Thanks for the info, used the zbar and got great results

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Awesome

[@petergiannakos3741]

Great video. Would you recommended this method for transitioning from carpet to laminate plank as well? I have thin berber carpet transitioning to 10mm thick laminate in multiple doorways. Would using the laminate manufacturers reducer transition piece along with the zbar provide any added benefit or should I just forgo using it and do it this way for a more seamless look? I’m having trouble deciding if using the reducer piece is necessary. Thanks for the help.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I prefer to do it like I did in this video, if you use the manufacture provided reducer and Z bar and Something Happens then your carpet is an inch and a half too short to do anything with now

[@petergiannakos3741]

@@FloorsbySouthernboys thank you. Would you also use the zbar and tack strip method if ending the carpet up to a wood transition reducer that’s taller then the carpet in a doorway? or would you just turn and tack the carpet up to the transition with stapes and not use a tack strip? This is over wood subfloor.

[@brentjohnson6654]

New subscriber here. My son has a carpet strip to vinyl plank that is poking people. Do you have any advice on fixing it where they don’t get poked in the foot as they walk through the door way? Thanks and all the best!

[@dougthompson6427]

thank you ...very good explanation and demonstration.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

😀👍

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

That looks easy enough.Nice work

[@cutlass0125]

I really want to do this!!! All the flooring centers in my area are saying this will void my warranty. I think the zbar is fantastic and will still give my plank flooring the 1/4 in gap I need. I hate the transitions that they offer.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

There are loads of options that you can do for customizing your own vinyl plank transitions, watch just a few minutes of this video and it will give you some ideas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2XKfKWPn8-sotk Here is another one making an actual transition. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHekcpRoa6hnebM

[@cutlass0125]

@@FloorsbySouthernboys Thank you for the links! I am going to stick it to the flooring center man and perform these cleaner transitions!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@cutlass0125 awesome, good luck buddy

[@marklloyd5045]

Could you do me a favour and post a link to the zbar you use as all I can find is aluminium extruded that look nothing like the stuff you use. I really like the way you explained the do and don't. Vry easy to follow.

[@caramellaswirl3503]

Hi, UK here. I have been pulling my hair out on the "Z" bar, why can't I find it in the uk? Great video btw

[@eringerman7233]

Beginner question: is it possible to try to level two floor types in the seam, with a gradual decline into the other room, using a cement mix of some sort? The kitchen into the living room had two types- laminate with 1/4" underlayment and then the living room had carpet that we removed. We are about to install vinyl (super thin) floors. It says that it will hide most subfloor imperfections, but my husband and I are in disagreement about what to do about the transition. I think we should either A. bring up the living room; B. bring down the kitchen by removing the existing floor; or C. put a transition, in case later maybe someone would want tile in the kitchen or something. He's saying that it will be okay with a very gradual decline (hill, basically) from one to the other. I'm thinking it will cause buckling.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

You can lay a straight edge on the floor after you have made your ramp and as long as there is not 3/16 of an inch gap between the straight edge and the floor you will be fine doing that, straight edge needs to be at least 6 foot long for that to work. Ramping will work if it is done to this specifications

[@bmcdonald7303]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@darrelldean8115]

Nice but how do you handle a right angle - carpet wraps around right angle of LVT? the corner of LVT is a high traffic area. Thanks.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I will do a video

[@spicyville]

@@FloorsbySouthernboys is this video done I'm going to have this same problem when I start my install

[@annarumsey5049]

I currently have a carpeted entryway. I want to take out a section and add wood plank flooring. Would I use this technique across the top and down the side?

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Yup

[@justsaygold]

Excellent video!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you buddy

[@johnfrancois2058]

Looks easy but add cement floor when the tack strip won't stick to the cement hard enough bend the metal up. Any help is appreciated..

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Drill then use aluminum drives, I will be doing a video on that real soon

[@CraigP-z4t]

Is the tape necessary? Can you just nail the felt and tack strip down together or am I over thinking this?

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

You could probably do that, the tape just prevents the felt getting bunched up when the carpet slides over it

[@The.Floor.Store.At.Your.Door44]

Can't believe I haven't thought of this way. But Don't put felt on your tack strip. After the carpet is installed just bend the tacks down by tapping them with a hammer. Lot faster and better hold.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Tapping the nails down destroys the Tackstrip plus it leaves dimples in a smooth looking carpet. By your name guessing that you have a mobile outfit for selling carpet, I love that idea and want to do that myself.

[@thomasolson7447]

I think if it's hot in the room, you should probably move that closer because it's probably already expanded as much as it's going to expand.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

👍thank you

[@CarlaCarroll-zy5wk]

after removing carpet in hallway, how do you finish off in doorways to bedrooms that have existing carpet

[@vernonharley]

What if there's only cement under the carpet and flooring??

[@johnathanrobello271]

I'm guessing liquid nails the tac strips first

[@jeffjunk]

Awesome video!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thanks buddy

[@fannymackk]

Will the Carey fray without putting the metal thingy over it?

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Your phone on plank will move up and down and eventually end up on top of the edge of your carpet if you do not use the Z bar

[@PNWTraveler]

Can i use this transition from a hallway to living room about 4 feet wide?

[@SteveScaife]

Where can I buy this type of bar? The only option I can find is the solid section Z bar which leaves a slight gap above my tiles.

[@toddabrams3260]

Great video!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Thank you Todd, good to hear from you again

[@eandrewknightjr]

On this video, you talk about using a "Z-Bar" for carpet-to-LVP transitions, but I cannot seem to figure out what is the exact product I should be buying. When I look up Z-Bar on Amazon, what I find looks different than what you're using in the video. Can you give me more specifics on the Z-Bar you're using? Thanks!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

www.tools4flooring.com/futura-z-bar-carpet-edging.html

[@eandrewknightjr]

@Floors by Southern boys Thanks! I only need 5 of these, but this is a minimum of 25. Any suggestions on where else I could buy these in lower quantities?

[@jeffcowell3935]

Great video, thank you!

[@dylmey]

I have a open concept where one room is carpet the other will be vynil plank. It's about 15' span with 2 3' 45 degree turns. Would you consider this solution in a situation like this?

[@macoeur1122]

Can this zar transitions strip be used in the same way on a concrete slab?

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Yes

[@macoeur1122]

@@FloorsbySouthernboys Thanks!!!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@macoeur1122 you’re welcome

[@matthews8576]

When I vac the beater bar grabs and pulls the thin weak zbar up. Is there a trick to stop that.

[@Klumsyy13]

Will this method work on concrete

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Yes

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

What is the Z bar called, the Z bar I see at the HD look much larger.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

There is only one Z bar, so it must just look smaller in the video

[@CraigP-z4t]

You're probably looking at Z bar (flashing) used to protect horizontal joints for T1-11 sheet siding or used as window and door caps to protect against water infiltration on the outside of your house. This is not the same as what's used in the video and is usually found in the lumber/building materials area at HD, not in flooring where the Z bar you want is found.

[@derrickclinton2757]

Great video

[@buche2208]

Thanks so much!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

You’re welcome

[@kenmitchell3355]

Thank you as this is a helpful video.

[@stacenrob1977]

I always use transitions made for the vinyl plank , looks way nicer than zbar

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Cool

[@AlexB-hp3dj]

I take my stair tool with my rubber mallet and hit them down lightly.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Nice

[@martinjdesmond]

Nice video

[@awesomeness7117]

I'm trying to repair mine because my cat tore it up for some reason, and they didn't do the job right at all, I'm surprised I wasn't getting stabbed in the feet

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Oh snap

[@jacklem2662]

Can I just hire you?

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

😀👍

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Where are you located?

[@jacklem2662]

Kalamazoo Michigan

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

@@jacklem2662 sorry that’s a little far for me buddy

[@handlethis1]

I hate the feeling of stepping on the tack strip.

[@JMorris216]

When I see people do that, they always chip the board edge .

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

😮

[@Anthonythesider]

You should of used a nice stiff berber carpet for this example

[@wendiyee6442]

~ 🙌🏽

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

😀👍

[@robl496]

carpet to other flooring shouldn't exist.... not sure why people go that route, yeah it might be cheaper but carpets keep the dirt not matter what you do to it.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

😀👍

[@Jeff-bl1rz]

Bad camera work with the tuck and tap down

[@Scobieone111]

Not a fan of how that looks...

[@claytonjames4779]

Lors have mercy. 5 seconds in.... invest in a Bluetooth lapel mic. Great video though!

[@Lowderpoop]

What is the thickness of the vinyl flooring in this video? I'll be doing exactly this with a wood subfloor - transitioning the new vinyl in the master bathroom to pre-existing carpet in the bedroom. Just curious if 5 to 8 mm thick vinyl will need to be raised a quarter inch for a better transition. Master bath currently has carpet.

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

I believe this is a 8mm product, you should not have to raise up your vinyl. You typically want your vinyl to be a little bit lower than your carpet so you do not feel that edge whenever you step halfway on and halfway off

[@thatchfly]

Great Video!