# Install sliding door floor guide over carpet over concrete... no wood **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663 "2025-03-16T15:31:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saladoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@saladoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saladoil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/1 "2025-03-16T15:31:43Z")
Need to purchase sliding door bottom guides over carpet with no wood installed as screw in base. I envision something like a super velcro (Hooks), on one side with sticky back on the other attached to bottom of floor guide. Another solution I had was to design bottom guide with internal spiked wheels that can turn with a screwdriver and bite into carpet, or base depending on design. Screws were installed direct into carpet and, of course, they worked themselves loose quite quickly. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/2 "2025-03-16T15:40:37Z")
Ever used a [**masonry (drill) bit**](https://www.amazon.com/Masonry-Drill-Bits/b?ie=UTF8&node=256276011) and [**masonry screws**](https://www.concretefasteners.com/concrete-screws/)? Mind drilling a few holes in the concrete? That’s probably the ‘right’ way to do this one. ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/3 "2025-03-16T16:11:18Z")
A wood strip with very many nails or screws driven in so the points stick out the other side. Screw the track to this wood strip. I think screws would be best. Sturdier and will not back out under pressure and movement. Make the strip out of plywood to avoid splitting. If allowed. Soak the carpet with a glue that will harden before installing. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/4 "2025-03-16T16:19:47Z")
Was going to suggest the same. Easy enough to fill the holes later, if that’s ever needed. ---
**Author:** ![saladoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@saladoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saladoil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/5 "2025-03-16T16:21:41Z")
Yes I have, and have the equipment to do so. Previously I used masonry bit with plastic/nylon screw anchors and wood screws. Guess that would work but seems someone should have designed something better by now. I live in Virginia south so not too many basements, i.e. wood underlayment, and many slabs. Thanks for the response… ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/6 "2025-03-18T20:28:35Z")
As a carpenter, what I would do in this situation, is make a plate out of scrap baseboard, plywood or what ever thin material is available, mount that to the floor and mount your hardware on that. Cut the plate slightly larger than the hardware. You can also just make a plate that covers the threshold of the door opening; this may actually be easier over all. Place masking tape and card stock, carpet protector film or something similar on the carpet in the general area to give yourself a working surface and something to mark. Mark the location and screw holes. Carpet grabs drill bits, so you may want to melt the holes through the carpet with a hot nail. If this is on concrete, then use a hammer drill to pilot holes in the concrete. You will need to use anchors for the screws; a brad nail or pieces of wire also works great if you don’t have anchors. The best thing in this situation is a threshold plate that carpet tucks into rather than runs underneath, as this simpllfies futue floor replacement. ---
**Author:** ![saladoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@saladoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saladoil)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/7 "2025-03-18T20:41:20Z")
Thank you kind sir (I’m assuming the sir) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/8 "2025-03-18T21:04:14Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Ever used a [**masonry (drill) bit**](https://www.amazon.com/Masonry-Drill-Bits/b?ie=UTF8&node=256276011) and [**masonry screws**](https://www.concretefasteners.com/concrete-screws/)? > > Mind drilling a few holes in the concrete? > > That’s probably the ‘right’ way to do this one. This is absolutely the way. Trying to jury rig wood to the carpet somehow is not going to work in the long run. It might seem fine at first, but your door sliding over the track will loosen things over time, unless you do this right and tightly screw the guide rail into the concrete. ---
**Author:** ![saladoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@saladoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saladoil)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/9 "2025-03-18T21:35:03Z")
Yes I have a masonry bit and screws and anchors. Guess I was hoping someone would have designed something more efficient and less laborious to install. Problem is I’m basically lazy. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/10 "2025-03-18T21:56:57Z")
> [@FluffyBob](#): > > As a carpenter, what I would do in this situation, is make a plate out of scrap baseboard, plywood or what ever thin material is available, mount that to the floor and mount your hardware on that. As a handyman, this is what I would do as well. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/11 "2025-03-19T08:38:28Z")
How would you mount the plate to the floor? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/12 "2025-03-19T14:34:25Z")
Of course the “right way” is to cut back the carpet and attach the plate to the subfloor. The reattach the now separated in-closet and out-of-closet carpet edges to the floor with fresh tack strips, re-stretching, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/13 "2025-03-19T17:51:32Z")
LSLGuy has it right. Cut back the carpet and attach a plate (strip of plywood) to the slab. Ideally you would want to attach the plate with something like hammer-set fasteners. It’s also possible to glue boards to a concrete slab, use a construction adhesive specifically designed for wood-to-concrete bonding, ensuring both surfaces are clean and dry, and follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions for application and curing. If using this method, I would also use small metal braces to hold the plate at either end. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/14 "2025-03-19T19:14:13Z")
I have had to deal with replacing flooring only to discover previous owners had done the track on top of carpet move. So we had to pull the track, pull the carpet, reset the track on the subfloor, _get new taller doors_, then lay the new flooring around the new track. The italic part was the expensive surprise the OP would be building in for later. Whether they spring the surprise on future themself in a few years, or on the next owner is sorta up to chance. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2025, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/15 "2025-03-24T19:43:07Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > _get new taller doors_ Curious, might it not been cheaper to just drop the header? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/16 "2025-03-25T11:42:55Z")
That would have been easier and more straightforward. The existing doors were not great, and we ended up replacing them as much for a style and condition refresh as for the height diff. It was also a matter of "Are we doing this whole job greenfield ‘right’, or are we going to half-ass bodge part B as a consequence of choosing to do part A ‘right’? " ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/install-sliding-door-floor-guide-over-carpet-over-concrete-no-wood/1015663/17 "2025-03-25T15:51:37Z")
Ideally, sure, cut the carpet. Are you going to install smooth edge to tuck it into as well? Problem here is the carpet is already installed. Cutting a hole in the carpet without a plan for how you are going to fasten the carpet down after is not a good process. As long as the plate is solid and big enough you should be able to anchor it down over the carpet. Ideally you would get or make a threshold plate, cut the carpet, install smooth edge either side, install the threshold plate (ideally with a lip to receive tucked carpet), kick the carpet, and install your track hardware. I think the OP was looking for a simpler solution.