Laminate Flooring Question – Transition Pieces

Q: We installed laminate flooring over old vinyl flooring in our kitchen and have run into a problem when trying to install the transition pieces (laminated wood transitions, no pre-drilled holes) between the laminate flooring in the kitchen to the carpet in the living room and reducers in front of the doorways. As our house is on a concrete slab the nails we bought bend when nailed in to the transition pieces. Our local hardware store suggested construction glue along the bottom tongue part of the transition piece – however that part does not sit low enough in the gap between laminate flooring and carpet to touch the bottom of the vinyl to allow to be glued down to anything. Can you glue or nail the transition strips to the laminate flooring or do you need to stay in the gap between flooring and carpet? We just want the easiest way to attain secure transition pieces without ugly nail heads showing. PLEASE help us!
Jamie H.

A: The first thing I would suggest is to check if your trim is one that is meant to be used in a track system. Most laminate trims nowadays are made so that you nail or glue (also called liquid nail) the track in place and then snap in trim into the track. Its somewhat common to get a track based trim without knowing you need the track as well when the tracks aren’t included with the trim (few manufacturers include tracking with their trims).
This being said, you could glue the trim to the floor, but keep in mind these trims are meant to cover necessary expansion gaps and gluing something in place can effect this (although I don’t think you would run into any issues as long as you keep your home well regulated throughout the year).
Make sure the glue you are using has a moisture seal built into it (most construction glues referred to as liquid nail will). Should the trim use a track, just pick up a track, glue it to your vinyl (you may need to rough the vinyl up slightly to help the glue form a good bond, then snap the trim in.
I would avoid nails in this case because of the concrete subfloor.