Universal transition molding

1. A universal transition molding for bridging two floor surfaces, the molding comprising:

a substantially symmetrical extruded profile of unitary construction comprising:

a substantially planar central portion;

a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;

a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion; and

a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion,

wherein each wing has an average thickness greater than an average thickness of the central portion.

2. The molding of claim 1 , wherein the extruded profile comprises PVC having a Shore D durometer in a range of about 50 to about 90.

3. The molding of claim 1 , wherein the central portion has a width in a range of about 7 mm to about 20 mm and a thickness in a range of about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

4. The molding of claim 1 , wherein each wing has a width in a range of about 7 mm to about 20 mm and a thickness in a range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

5. The molding of claim 1 , wherein each hinge section has a thickness in a range of about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

6. The molding of claim 1 , wherein each hinge section has a thickness less than a thickness of at least one of the central portion or each wing.

7. The molding of claim 1 , wherein each leg has a height in a range of about 5 mm to about 10 mm and a thickness in a range of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

8. The molding of claim 1 , wherein each leg comprises a plurality of friction barbs protruding from a side thereof proximate a respective wing.

9. The molding of claim 1 further comprising a cover extending along upper surfaces of the central portion and the wings, wherein the cover comprises at least one of a decorative finish, a friction enhancing finish, or a wear resistant finish.

10. The molding of claim 1 further comprising a U-shaped track defining a slot for receiving the vertical legs therein.

11. A method of manufacturing a universal transition molding for bridging two floor surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

extruding a substantially symmetrical molding profile of unitary construction comprising:

a substantially planar central portion;

a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;

a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion; and

a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion,

wherein each wing has an average thickness greater than an average thickness of the central portion; and

cooling the extruded profile.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the extruded profile comprises PVC having a Shore D durometer in a range of about 50 to about 90.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein each hinge section has a thickness less than a thickness of at least one of the central portion or each wing.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein each leg comprises a plurality of friction barbs protruding from a side thereof proximate a respective wing.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising applying a cover extending along upper surfaces of the central portion and the wings, wherein the applying the cover comprises at least one of co-extruding, coating, or adhering the cover onto at least a portion of the upper surfaces.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising providing a U-shaped track defining a slot for receiving the vertical legs therein.

17. A method of installing a universal transition molding for bridging two floor surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a substantially symmetrical molding profile of unitary construction comprising:

a substantially planar central portion;

a pair of downwardly depending substantially planar wings;

a pair of hinge sections joining the wings to opposing edges of the central portion; and

a pair of vertical legs depending from a bottom surface of the central portion,

wherein each wing has an average thickness greater than an average thickness of the central portion; and

pressing the legs into a slot between the two floor surfaces.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the slot is formed by at least one of a saw kerf, opposing edges of flooring, a U-shaped track mounted between the two floor surfaces, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising mounting a U-shaped track between the two floor surfaces, wherein pressing the legs into the slot comprises inserting the legs into the U-shaped track.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein mounting the U-shaped track comprises attaching the U-shaped track to a surface using at least one of an adhesive layer and a mechanical fastener.