Hardwood Matching Reducers
Hardwood reducers slope from your hardwood floor down to a lower floor such as ceramic or vinyl, or finish an edge where quarter round will not fit. Shop matching reducers for your floor's collection and colour, unfinished oak or maple reducers you finish yourself, and equalizers for height differences up to 3/16".
A hardwood reducer is the molding that slopes from a hardwood floor down to a lower floor next to it—such as ceramic or vinyl—so you get a smooth step instead of a sharp edge. It can also finish the floor against a vertical surface where quarter round will not fit. Shop two ways: a reducer matched to your floor's collection and colour, or an unfinished oak or maple reducer you stain or finish yourself. For small height differences up to 3/16", use an equalizer.
Compare options such as the M-D PRO Oak Reducer 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6', the M-D PRO Oak Reducer 7/16" x 1 3/4" x 6', the M-D PRO Maple Equalizer 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 6', the CG Hardwood Molding Red Oak Unfinished Reducer 84", and the Lauzon Hard Maple Natural Semi-Gloss Reducer 84".
Browse related categories: Hardwood Moldings, Hardwood Stair Nose, Floor Transitions, Wood Flooring, and Engineered Hardwood. Colour on screen is a guide only — contact us to confirm the right reducer for your floor.
Frequently asked questions
See all FAQsWhat is a hardwood floor reducer used for?
A hardwood reducer gives a smooth transition from a hardwood floor to another floor of slightly lower height, such as ceramic or vinyl. It can also finish the floor against a vertical surface where quarter round cannot be used. For related moldings, see Hardwood Moldings and Hardwood Stair Nose.
How do I find a reducer that matches my hardwood floor?
Many reducers are named after the floor collection and colour they go with—for example Lauzon, Casa Bella, Nouveau 7, Endura, or Regale—in lengths that vary by maker. Start with a collection match such as the Lauzon Hard Maple Natural Semi-Gloss Reducer 84". Colour on a screen is a guide only; contact us to confirm the right reducer for your floor.
What's the difference between a reducer and an equalizer?
A reducer creates a sloping transition from a higher hardwood floor to a lower adjoining floor. An equalizer joins two floors when the height difference is up to 3/16". Compare the M-D PRO Oak Reducer 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 6' with the M-D PRO Maple Equalizer 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 6'.
Can I use a hardwood reducer between hardwood and tile?
Yes. A reducer molding is made for a smooth transition between flooring surfaces at different levels, including hardwood next to ceramic or tile. Pick a matching or unfinished reducer that suits your floor, then see Floor Transitions for other threshold options. For an oak example, see the M-D PRO Oak Reducer 7/16" x 1 3/4" x 6'.
Should I choose a prefinished or an unfinished reducer?
Choose a prefinished reducer when you want one already matched to a floor collection and colour, such as the Lauzon Hard Maple Natural Semi-Gloss Reducer 84". Choose an unfinished oak or maple reducer when you prefer to stain or finish it yourself—for example the CG Hardwood Molding Red Oak Unfinished Reducer 84". Not sure which fits your floor? Contact us.
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