Laminate Living Room into Kitchen - Height Difference

Well, why not use 3/8" thick cork instead of the 1/4"? Also, there is 3/8" thick ply flooring. Personlly, I'd fuss with a 4 foot level and low-angle work light to get the floor reasonably flat and smooth. Bumps and dips will telescope through the laminate for all to see.

Umm, make it so there isn't a difference. Build up the living room floor by 4mm so both floors are even with each other. That is what anybody with a lick of common sense would do.

What is so damned difficult about that concept?

Heh.... Even Aqua Protect installation wants a expansion gap. The installation instructions want you to separate the rooms at doorways with a suitable profile.

Like I initially said, the manufacturer dictates what is supposed to be done.

How old is the kitchen vinyl? If put down in last 10-15 years, odds are it is only edge-glued and will come up pretty easy. With the layer of mushy stuff that goes under laminate, the floor under it doesn't have to be perfect- you could probably get the vinyl up and scrape the high spots smooth enough in a couple of hours. That will get most of your height difference solved right there.

And no, there are lots of kitchen floors that are pretty much dishwasher-proof if properly installed, as long as it doesn't sit wet for days. Make sure new floor goes under the dishwasher so you don't trap it, and it doesn't present a raw edge to soak up water when it leaks. You want a nice tight smooth floor and caulked bottom edges of the dishwasher space, so leaks immediately run out into the room where you will notice them, instead of hiding under the cabinets.

-- aem sends...

Whatever.

My (admittedly) limited experience, plus my scientifically-controlled experiments, plus the official pronouncements from SOME laminate manufacturers are at variance with your no doubt heartfelt opinions.

Oooo! Good idea!