Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds are a necessity to eliminate gaps that are uneven at the bottom of doors. They also offer all-season protection from bugs, draughts and water. A threshold that is lower also offers safety for wheelchairs and pushchairs/prams and connects interior and exterior spaces.
It is crucial to be aware of the different options when advising customers on their French door threshold choices.
Weathered
The threshold of an outdoor door is a crucial feature of any door. It offers protection from the elements and an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. When choosing the threshold to be used with an exterior door system, it's important to strike a balance between safety and design. Alongside being a necessity to keep the home weatherproof thresholds play an essential role in user safety by preventing slips and falls, as well as restricting access for those who have mobility problems or wheelchairs. As french door repairs repairmywindowsanddoors there are many threshold options to choose from that allow customers to pick the best one for their home.
A weathered threshold offers excellent weather protection for doors that are outside. It creates a solid barrier that keeps out rain and wind as well as draughts. This kind of threshold is recessed or sunk into the floor with a rise of 14mm. This minimizes the risk of tripping and creates a solid seal against weather. Weathered thresholds are recommended for all external doors since they offer higher levels of weatherproofing than unweathered alternatives. However, the higher elevation of weathered thresholds may make them unsuitable for some people, particularly those who use pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Unweathered thresholds are usually shorter in height, with many just a few millimetres off the ground, which means they are less likely to present any tripping risks. They can also provide a seamless transition between indoors and out which allows the two areas to be connected in a manner that is both accessible and open. They may not provide the same levels of weatherproofing that a weathered option does however, they are ideal for homeowners looking to improve their home's aesthetic without sacrificing practicality or protection.
If your french doors have an unweathered threshold, or you're planning to replace the threshold, a new one is a simple do-it-yourself project that can help smooth out the uneven gaps at the bottom of doors as well as protect against water ingress and drafts. The threshold that was installed previously must be removed before a new one is fitted to an existing sill. To remove the old threshold, place a flat bar (aka pry bar) between it and the subsill, and carefully lift up the center section. If the ends of your threshold are nailed to the floor using the hammer to break them off of the jambs. After removing the threshold, sand and remove any mortar remnants. When reinstalling the threshold it is recommended to spray expanding foam sealant under it to secure it in place and fill any air gaps.