I posted the same question here with pictures....http://www.diychatroom.com/f5/reducer-question-143894/#post922207


I've just installed laminate locking flooring (Chesapeake brand, blond maple) and have reached the final transition to put in. I have to put a reducer in and need some advice.
Currently there's a gap of 1/2 inch (height) between the lower level and upper level planks and that's what the reducer is sized for. However, the reducer instructions call for a 1 inch space (width) to accomodate the u-track that it snaps into and IF I do that it will create a full 1 inch gap (height) between lower and upper planks.
As u can see from the pic the lower level goes right up to the upper level so if I install the u-track I'll have to drill, and subsequently, screw into the floating laminate.
My questions are....
1. Can I screw into the laminate? Will that cause bowing or some other issues with the rest of the floor?
2. If I rip a wider clearance for the u-track (causing my height to reduce to go from 1/2 to 1 inch) do they make reducer's that accomodate 1 inch?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like you will either need a different reducer or modify what you have. With a floating floor, what you cannot do is to have anywhere that the floating floor is attached - it all needs to move. So the reducer is attached to the subfloor and has a lip that overhangs the surface of the floating floor, allowing it to move.

Can I just rip some particle board to put under the u-track to accommodate the new height?

Yup. That could work.

Partical board is the last thing you would ever want to use.
I see you have posted this same question on other web sites, but for some reason you chose not to post the picture of what you have done.
Partical board does not hold screws and will crumble if you try to use a narrow piece.
For the life of me I can not think of a single use for partical board.

sure did. That's why I put the link to the other site.
What if I ripped some scrap laminate and used THAT to screw the u-track into? Would that be better than particle board?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zamboknee,