How to stop levelling compound from falling out?

[divergentmojo]

About a year ago, I had laminate floorboards installed. At the join between my living room and my bedroom, there is a significant height difference, and I've had continual issues with the levelling compound breaking off and coming/falling out from underneath the floorboards onto the lower carpet of the bedroom.

Is there anything I can do to 'seal' the compound into where it's meant to stay? Thanks!

[JacobZ]

Hi @divergentmojo,

Thank you for your question.

I think the best option would be to add a timber piece across the face, similar to a skirting board. This will give you a nice clean finish that has no potential to crack out in the same way the self-levelling compound has.

You could use finishing nails to secure the bottom edge of the timber and Liquid Nails to secure the top edge to the aluminium trim. The top of this timber should be slightly rounded to protect your toes and sit 2-3mm below the top of the tile trim so you can seal the top edge with No More Gaps and then paint it.  

If you can let me know the height of the step, I would be happy to recommend a specific timber for this application.

Jacob

[divergentmojo]

Hi Jacob,

Thank you so much for your reply, and many apologies for taking so long to respond (life gets in the way)!

The height is 35mm on the left, reducing to 30mm on the right.

Thanks!

[JacobZ]

Hi @divergentmojo,

There's no need to apologise; I understand. Life always seems to get in the way of my grand plans.

I'd suggest using either this Porta 30 x 8mm 2.4m Tasmanian Oak Rounded Edging Bead or this 30 x 8mm 1.2m Square Edged Board Tasmanian Oak and slightly rounding the top edge.

If you keep the top edge of the bead consistent with the top edge of the flooring, you will get a nice, clean look that conceals the open edge.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob