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How to Cover Flooring Gaps: Trim, Quarter Round, and Transition Tips
You installed your laminate or LVP flooring. It looks great… until you notice that ugly gap around the edges. Or maybe the floors don’t quite meet at the hallway threshold. It’s normal—and 100% fixable. This guide will show you how to cover flooring gaps using quarter round, transition strips, and a few key tools. Whether you’re finishing a living room or fixing an eyesore near the door, these tips will help your floors look polished and pro.
Why Do Flooring Gaps Happen?
Even a perfect install can leave visible gaps because:
- Floors need expansion space at the edges
- Walls may not be perfectly straight
- You switched flooring types between rooms
- Subfloor inconsistencies caused slight shifting
These aren’t dealbreakers—but leaving gaps exposed looks unfinished.
Quarter Round vs Transition Strips
So which trim do you need?
✅ Use Quarter Round When:
- Covering perimeter gaps around walls or cabinets
- Trimming under baseboards
- Working with slightly uneven edges
Pro move: Paintable quarter round blends perfectly with baseboards.
✅ Use Transition Strips When:
- Connecting laminate/LVP to tile or carpet
- Covering height changes between rooms
- Ending flooring at sliding doors or thresholds
Most strips snap into a metal channel or glue down clean.
Tools That Make It Easy
You don’t need a full woodshop. Just a few trim tools make this job painless:
- Trim Miter Cutter or Miter Saw – for perfect corners
- Brad Nailer – clean, fast trim install
- Adhesive Caulk or Construction Glue – gap fill + secure
- Measuring Tape + Pencil – accuracy = clean lines
- Wood Putty or Filler – for seams or nail holes
If you’re tackling trim or molding, you might also need a brad nailer — and that means a reliable air compressor. Check out our top DIY-ready picks.
Pro Tips for a Clean Finish
- Always dry-fit pieces before nailing or gluing
- Cut inside corners first (easiest to hide gaps)
- If using caulk, tape your lines to avoid smears
- Color-match filler to your floor or trim
- Transition strips? Measure twice. Cut once.
Before & After: A Small Trim = Big Upgrade
Covering flooring gaps doesn’t just hide imperfections—it makes the room feel finished. The eye instantly notices when flooring just “stops” vs when it’s framed and intentional.
If you’re selling your home, this is one of the easiest ways to elevate the whole space.
Our Favorite Gap-Fix Tools + Trim Kits
Here’s what we use to fix flooring gaps the right way:
Quarter Round + Trim Kits:
Transition Strip Kits:
- Snap-In Laminate Transition Strip (Multi-Color)
- Floor Reducer Strip for LVP to Tile
- Self-Adhesive Threshold Trim Kit
Essential Tools:
- Miter Shears (Angled Trim Cutter)
- DEWALT 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
- Gorilla Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive
- Color-Match Wood Filler or Putty
