How to Install Zbar Carpet Transitions to Wood Floors

A Zbar transition strip consists of metal and resides at the location where carpeting ends and a hard flooring, such as wood, begins. They are typically inside doorways, but can be found in other installation locations. The strip gets its name from its Z-shaped profile. Once installed, the lower lip of one side grasps the edge of the carpet and holds it in place. Installing a Zbar strip is no different than installing other transition strips.

Tape measure
Pencil
Hacksaw
Tin snips
1-inch nails
Hammer
Carpet tack strip
Rubber mallet
Putty knife (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the area such as a doorway where you are installing the Zbar transition.
- 2
  Measure the same width on the Zbar using the tape measure and mark the cut location with a pencil. Place the Zbar on a work table or other elevated location with the cut line hanging off. Cut through the pencil mark using a hacksaw.
- 3
  Examine the door opening to determine if there is an interior jamb that will prevent the Zbar from sliding in. If so, use tin snips to trim away notches in either end of the bar to accommodate the door jamb.
- 4
  Place the Zbar strip into place, sliding it up against the wood floor edge. Insert a 1-inch nail at the left, center and right side of the front bottom metal flap using a hammer.
- 5
  Cut a wooden tack strip to the same width as the Zbar using tin snips. Lay the tack strip on top of the metal flap and hit the attached nails with a hammer to drive them into the subfloor.
- 6
  Stretch the carpet up over the tack strip and tuck the edge under the top lip of the Zbar. Hit the top of the carpet firmly with a rubber mallet to attach it securely to the tack strips.

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