| DIY How To Do It Handyman Home Repairs Repair an Exterior Door Threshold For installation call 330 524 5626 Have a DIY question? Ask the expert on the blog |
Exterior Door Threshold Repair
By: Ben Spofford, Housecalls Home Services
By: Ben Spofford, Housecalls Home Services
How to Install an Exterior Door Threshold
DIY Difficulty (1 easy-10 difficult) 4
Time to completion: 3 hours
Material cost: $ 40
Pro Labor and misc. parts $ 130-200.
TOTAL $ ~220
A door threshold is the bottom piece of any exterior door opening.
The threshold does many things. It acts as a doors stop, a transition
between the height difference between interior and exterior levels. It
acts as a weatherstrip to keep the harsher elements from
penetrating a homes interior and it keeps the bugs out.
In the past they were made of copper, steel, wood. Today they are
usually extruded aluminum or plastic. As shown in the picture to the
left this is a plastic extrusion. Follow along as we remove the
damaged plastic threshold and replace it with a more durable
extruded aluminum.
DIY Difficulty (1 easy-10 difficult) 4
Time to completion: 3 hours
Material cost: $ 40
Pro Labor and misc. parts $ 130-200.
TOTAL $ ~220
A door threshold is the bottom piece of any exterior door opening.
The threshold does many things. It acts as a doors stop, a transition
between the height difference between interior and exterior levels. It
acts as a weatherstrip to keep the harsher elements from
penetrating a homes interior and it keeps the bugs out.
In the past they were made of copper, steel, wood. Today they are
usually extruded aluminum or plastic. As shown in the picture to the
left this is a plastic extrusion. Follow along as we remove the
damaged plastic threshold and replace it with a more durable
extruded aluminum.
STEP 1.
Remove the door from the hinges. Some doors are heavy and may
require a helping hand, especially when removing the screws. Or, use
STEP 2.
Remove the threshold. As shown in the picture above the threshold is
cracked in the center. Since this one is cracked in the center it does not
require a saw cut down the middle. One way to remove the threshold is to
gently lift the pieces upward, one at a time from the center. The screws on
the ends should ease out with a swaying back and forth motion.
Remove the door from the hinges. Some doors are heavy and may
require a helping hand, especially when removing the screws. Or, use
STEP 2.
Remove the threshold. As shown in the picture above the threshold is
cracked in the center. Since this one is cracked in the center it does not
require a saw cut down the middle. One way to remove the threshold is to
gently lift the pieces upward, one at a time from the center. The screws on
the ends should ease out with a swaying back and forth motion.
Housecalls Handyman Home Services copyright 2012-13
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STEP 3
Once the old threshold is removed clear the area of all debris.
The picture to the left shows the doorway with the threshold
removed. Notice the 4 holes in the slot below the door jamb.
These were screw holes that originally held the threshold in
place.
STEP 4
Rough-in the new threshold. Lay the new threshold across the
area and see if you can slid it in at the widest point. If so, then
mark both ends with a pencil. If the threshold does not fit under
the jamb you will have to cut the aluminum at the pencil marks.
You will be cutting a notch on each end. Do not cut the entire
width or you will be too narrow on the inside of the threshold.
Once the old threshold is removed clear the area of all debris.
The picture to the left shows the doorway with the threshold
removed. Notice the 4 holes in the slot below the door jamb.
These were screw holes that originally held the threshold in
place.
STEP 4
Rough-in the new threshold. Lay the new threshold across the
area and see if you can slid it in at the widest point. If so, then
mark both ends with a pencil. If the threshold does not fit under
the jamb you will have to cut the aluminum at the pencil marks.
You will be cutting a notch on each end. Do not cut the entire
width or you will be too narrow on the inside of the threshold.
STEP 5
do not secure. You want to make sure of a sound fit on Once the
threshold is 'sized' properly set it in place but do not secure. You
want to make sure of a sound fit on the ends, bottom and where it
meets the floor on the interior and exterior.
STEP 6
Some replacement thresholds come with weather strip attached
to the bottom. If not, use anything that provides weather infiltration
-caulk, insulation, construction adhesive and so forth. This will be
installed on the back side of the threshold or directly on the rough
opening as shown in the picture on the right.
STEP 6
In this case the new threshold had a removable vinyl weatherstrip
on the top. Notice the 4 screws on the wood grain vinyl. This vinyl
strip is removable. Below it are holes used to secure the
threshold to the plywood floor.
If you are interested in woodworking this is a good source for
plans.
do not secure. You want to make sure of a sound fit on Once the
threshold is 'sized' properly set it in place but do not secure. You
want to make sure of a sound fit on the ends, bottom and where it
meets the floor on the interior and exterior.
STEP 6
Some replacement thresholds come with weather strip attached
to the bottom. If not, use anything that provides weather infiltration
-caulk, insulation, construction adhesive and so forth. This will be
installed on the back side of the threshold or directly on the rough
opening as shown in the picture on the right.
STEP 6
In this case the new threshold had a removable vinyl weatherstrip
on the top. Notice the 4 screws on the wood grain vinyl. This vinyl
strip is removable. Below it are holes used to secure the
threshold to the plywood floor.
If you are interested in woodworking this is a good source for
plans.
relatively easy job if you have
the right tools. Replacing a
door threshold is not a
difficult diy project and can
be completed in a couple of
hours.
This is a project that requires
a threshold similar to the
one in place. In this example
the customer had contacted
Lowes and they were able to
get her a similar threshold.
For a professional the
damaged threshold and take
it down to Lowes or Home
Depot or your nearest door
center. It won't take long for
someone to recognise the
threshold that will do the trick.
By all means do not remove
the old threshold until you
have one in hand. Make sure
it is the correct height, width
and depth. Once it has been
determined a good fit then
proceed.
The threshold project falls in
the category of finish
carpentry --which is my
favorite trade. It is the one I
learned when hired as a
carpenter helper in 1977.
The tools you need include
the basic cordless
screwdriver, reciprocating
saw, hammer, chisel,
screwdriver, PL 400 (or any
construction adhesive. You
might want to place some
insulation beneath the new
threshold or try the
expanding foam.
Threshold projects can
become an insect pest
control project. Many times
the area below an exterior
threshold is wet (for
northeast Ohio anyway). Ants
love damp, protected
environments. Many times I
have had to call the
exterminator and then
replace a section of wood. In
extreme examples the ants
will bore channels in the
joists and rim of the rough
framing. Needless to say
this is not good. Structural
deficiencies can do great
harm to the structure and
should be attended to as
soon as possible. Usually
they are not difficult projects,
the hardest part is dealing
with the ants. If you have ants
call the exterminator.
In the meantime if you have a
question visit the blog and let
me know what you think.
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Exterior Doors
Exterior doors are manufactured in steel, fiberglass, composite materials and wood veneers. These doors usually are made outside of
Ohio. We are happy to install, service and repair any door in your home. Here in northeast Ohio we are fortunate to have an abundance
of oak, poplar, maple, cherry and douglas fir trees. But it is icing on the cake to have the Amish craftsman who put old world pride and
craftsmanship into every handcrafted piece. The local tree farms are carefully harvested and used in the manufacture of fine quality
custom-made solid wood interior and exterior doors. You can now cut out the middle man and order from us a one-of-a-kind factory
direct custom-made door made with Amish workmanship. When you buy local not only do you support our local economy but you get
much more value for your dollar which would otherwise be spent on overseas shipping, handling and mass production in some far away
country.
Ohio. We are happy to install, service and repair any door in your home. Here in northeast Ohio we are fortunate to have an abundance
of oak, poplar, maple, cherry and douglas fir trees. But it is icing on the cake to have the Amish craftsman who put old world pride and
craftsmanship into every handcrafted piece. The local tree farms are carefully harvested and used in the manufacture of fine quality
custom-made solid wood interior and exterior doors. You can now cut out the middle man and order from us a one-of-a-kind factory
direct custom-made door made with Amish workmanship. When you buy local not only do you support our local economy but you get
much more value for your dollar which would otherwise be spent on overseas shipping, handling and mass production in some far away
country.
