First off, thanks for such a valuable forum, much appreciated.

I successfully installed engineered hardwood in our living room with 1/2" gaps around the perimeter (as suggested by the manufacturer) and it's time to install the various transition pieces.

I'm a little confused as to what the preferred installation method is. I have a t-molding piece for the hardwood/kitchen tile transition and an end cap piece for the hardwood/sliding door transition. I plan on leaving a 1/2" gap underneath the hardwood side of the transition.

Am I good to just glue the transition piece to the sub floor? Leaving 1/2" gap to the hardwood for any expansion?

Thanks for any input!

 

Most of your transition pieces made for this type flooring will come with a metal strip which engages part of the transition bottom firmly once pressed into it. You would attach the metal strip to the subflooring via screws, then press the transition in firmly.

 

Thanks for the help. That makes sense. Unfortunately, there weren't any metal strips included with the transition piece purchase. I'll double check they aren't in any of the packaging, otherwise I'll go see if I can't hunt it down anywhere.

Gluing to the sub floor would be ill-advised I take it?

Thanks again

 

You can glue it, but your adhesive will be the weak or strong link. I have found a superb adhesive from the makers of Liquid Nails. Run a bead on the subflooring, then set your transition in it with a good amount of weight atop the wood transition to hold it for an hour or so. Liquid Nails Liquid Nails Fuze It 9 oz. All Surface Construction Adhesive-LN-2000 - The Home Depot

I used it to put a 2x4 on a wall flat without wanting to nail into the concrete. In a few minutes you could not pull the wood off the wall, period.

 

Perfect! Thanks Chandler, great to hear.