laminate flooring contracting at sliding door

ckgwalk · 10-09-2010, 11:20 AM

Hi
We put laminate flooring in our dining room and this morning noticed that it was contracting where our sliding door is. My question is what do we do about the contraction infront of the slider? We can't put 1/4 round there can we?

thanks in advance

tribe_fan · 10-09-2010, 11:39 AM

Not a pro, but they make transition molding to allow for the needed gap for expansion.

http://www.homedepot.com/Flooring-La...atalogId=10053

JazMan · 10-09-2010, 07:56 PM

Yup, that's similar to the right piece that goes in such areas. There are several variations, but essentially all do the same thing. That one is for carpet to laminate or wood. You'll have to remove or cut back the laminate of course.

This is actually the molding you need. Notice the back side is not rounded like the one for carpeting. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...1t:429,r:2,s:0 is also used where flooring meets a hearth or brick wall, and many other such situations.

Jaz

ckgwalk · 10-10-2010, 12:28 AM

Thanks so much for your replies.
There is only a 1/4 inch space between the sliding door and the laminate?
How do I cut the laminate if its already installed? Is it posible to cut/thin out the trasition strip instead?

JazMan · 10-10-2010, 09:26 PM

No, not really. You have to leave a gap for expansion, that's why you have the problem now. A router would cut it the length and notch the sides too. Do you have just a few pieces which run the length of the door, or many end pieces to cut? Well, either way a router will make the cut without removing anything. Just set the depth of cut, set up a straight edge as a guide, fairly simple.

Jaz

Bud Cline · 10-11-2010, 12:05 PM

How about a picture?