Laminate floor threshold 't bar'

stevetuk · 23 Jun 2013 at 15:00

Just bought a new house, and in the process of decorating. The hall and lounge have a nice wood effect laminate flooring I'm going to keep but the threshold t bar between the two is worn away and looks really ugly.
Is there any way of cheaply repairing it or am I best just nipping down to B&Q or Homebase etc to buy and fit a new one? Any tips on popping it off, if so? Seems to be stuck down really tight.

Nightglow · 23 Jun 2013 at 15:24

Usually find T bar comes in two pieces, usually a metal base which you screw down, then a cover strip which push fits into a slot.

Use something to protect laminate, & used a small screwdriver to pop it out, but you might find someone has glued it in place.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silver-Oa...A%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=21&pmod=280683272789&ps=54

Makhaira · 23 Jun 2013 at 15:50

If you have the option, go to your local builders merchant. Thresholds and trims for floor and tiles seem to command a ridiculously high price at all retail places, trade is usually the only way to get sensible prices.

Bear in mind that you might struggle to get a "wood" match (or you might be lucky!). A metal trim would be the alternative if you struggle.

stevetuk · 24 Jun 2013 at 19:40

Thanks for the replies. Yep, I wonder if they've glued it down...I'll try a screwdriver to pop it off. Fingers crossed I don't crack the damn thing...!
Will check out my local Travis Perkins as they're the nearest trade place. Other retailers seem to be from £6-£10...

stevetuk · 12 Aug 2013 at 21:19

Got another question about this one - been waylaid with major redecoration jobs so it's been a while!

I managed to find a close enough match (Light Oak) and have cut to a good size, fits snug and that's great, but I'm wondering how I get the t-bar to stick down without needing to glue it...

Previous people glued things. Took me a while to make sure I got rid of the glue without damaging the laminate...now that I have, I don't want to ruin it myself.

The pack came with a plastic runner, and some spacers of different heights one of which works ok, however the strip does move if it's pushed and I'd rather it stayed solidly in place.

Any ideas for how to fix it down without resorting to glue? Or, if I do have to use glue is there anything that will hold it down but be easy to get rid of later on if I needed to replace it?

Nightglow · 12 Aug 2013 at 22:34

Screw it.

Use a No 4, more likely a No 6 screw countersunk would be better, length to suit.

If it's a T bar version, you place in location & drill some fine pilot holes through the base,will also mark the floor for drilling holes for wall plugs if fixing into concrete..

stevetuk · 15 Aug 2013 at 19:03

Don't really want screw heads showing in the t-bar to be honest, though. Is there some sort of glue that will hold it down but that can then be pulled off the laminate without causing damage?

Nightglow · 15 Aug 2013 at 20:35

stevetuk said:
Don't really want screw heads showing in the t-bar to be honest, though. Is there some sort of glue that will hold it down but that can then be pulled off the laminate without causing damage?

Oh! you haven't got the type which has a metal T base, & the capping push fits into it.

stevetuk · 17 Aug 2013 at 15:14

Its a plastic runner/base and there are plastic spacers that clip on to it which the tbar then slots on to but its slightly loose and id like it to be stuck down more firmly somehow