Hello Thrilledtobuild, Building the field tile out should not be under consideration. These issues should be addressed at the time materials are being selected. Unless your installer is giving you a rendered wall (mud job) where he can carve out a channel for the accent, I suggest that you use a decorative relief to isolate the two planes. A simple half-round liner used above and below the accent will define the detail while also obfuscating the 1/8" disparity between tile thicknesses. Best of luck, Shaughnn

If I were looking at homes for sale, I would rather see a tile to wood transition than a tile to different tile transition. Also, I would much rather remove wood than tile if there was ever the possibility of going back to one single floor covering 10 years from now.

Sometimes, transitions are simply a fact of life. A good contractor can eliminate or reduce some transitions. But depending on existing conditions that's not always an option. You rarely have the luxury of being able to redo the entire level of the house. So, having small steps is just something you might have to accept. And realistically, if done well, it's not going to be a huge problem. Ask your contractor for suggestions how to make the transition look appealing. It's generally less offensive, if the transition coincides with a door way. So, if you have that option, take advantage of it.

I'm not fond of a wood transition between two tile floors. Of course it is an easy install...ahem...easy on the installer that is. The Schluter system is correct. It has been used hundreds of thousands of times (should I say millions of times...who's to say the number but it is A LOT!). If a slab that has concerns with cracking/movement (and they all have SOME sort of movement whether it be a little or a lot....so be aware) should have a decoupling membrane. And just to be clear carpet HIDES some HORRIBLE substrates. I mean *GASP* SPUTTER* HORROR* type concrete. Why you ask? Because BUILDERS know that carpet hides HORRIBLE workmanship. Ergo a carpeted slab will be MUCH uglier than a slab prepared for tile. Here's what you are looking for in a tiling professional: https://www.tile-assn.com/ You want to WRITE OUT the contract so that it states: "To be installed per NTCA Specifications AND per tile manufacturer's instructions." And a 1 year labour warranty is standard stuff in the building industry. You are looking at a substantial installation (if we estimate the labour alone will be $10-$12/sf and the tile/materials will be EXTRA) somewhere in the range of 500sf - 600sf (or so)??? Your quote MAY NOT include "subfloor preparation". If it DOES....please ask for the guestimate they have provided for the subfloor. If they have estimated $0.50/sf for concrete work, then they are too low. If they have estimated a MAXIMUM of $4/sf (not to exceed this amount without your written approval) then they are more in keeping with reality. I would stick with the person who is well acquainted with the NTCA guidelines, if not a member, the person who INCLUDES the cost of a decoupling membrane, who INCLUDES the high-priced estimate for slab prep as part and parcel of his quote....and then the person who includes the Schluter system as part of the transition between floors. Please notice how the transition is FAR down the list. Right. There are some more important things that need to be dealt with other than the final look. And Schluter has DOZENS of transition options which work with floors AND/OR wall settings. The appropriate option will be looked at before anything is laid.