How to Install a New Threshold In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva installs a new oak door threshold In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to replace a threshold. 1. Remove old threshold from doorway using hammer and reciprocating saw. 2. Use reciprocating saw to cut the nails securing toekick; 3. Test-fit new threshold in doorway. 4. Build up toekick and subfloor with pressure-treated lumber; 5. Apply bead of tri-polymer caulk to joint between finished floor and new threshold. 6. Install new threshold, then tap shims underneath. 7. Close door and check for even gap along threshold. 8. Open door, and apply expanding polyurethane sealant under the threshold. 9. Close the door, then tap shims between door bottom and top of threshold; leave shims in place until the sealant cures. 10. Sand threshold, then finish with an exterior paint or stain and topcoat that contains a ultra-violet protector.
See products and services from this episode Tools for Replacing a threshold 1. New oak threshold for sealing joint between floor and threshold 4. Expanding polyurethane sealant, used to adhere threshold used to fill in subfloor and bolster toekick 7. Exterior paint or stain and topcoat varnish 8. 2-inch decking screws, used to fasten subfloorBe sure to scroll down... there may be more than one question on this page! I can try to get you started but I can't guarantee that it will be an easy job or that it may not turn into "quicksand"... my favorite expression for a job that looks small but grows to gargantuanI hope to give you a good sense of what this job entails and some potential problems so you can judge whether or not you really want to tackle it yourself. Rot repair is a two-step process... removing the rotten wood andThat at least sounds easy! And some rot repairs ARE fairly easy, such as wood moldings or siding, since the entire rotten
area is easily accessible. Thresholds, however, can be a problem when the rot extends beneath them. Depending on the design of your home, there is always the chance that other wood members will also bethese may or may not be accessible. For example, if you have concrete steps outside your door, there is often rot in the woodIt is almost impossible to remove all the rotten wood in these situations, so the only "easy" solution is to get out as much rot as possible and fill the area with a concrete patchingThis will give a solid base that will never rot again. am getting off track... The first step in this repair is to remove the old funky threshold. This is done by making two cuts with a circular saw across the width of the threshold approximately four inches from each side of the door frame (or as close as the body of your saw will allow). cut too deeply... just enough to get through the threshold. have to make multiple cuts along the same line, that is better than
Make sure your saw has a carbide blade... there is a chance you will run into nails and if your blade isn't carbide it will most likely be ready for the trash heap should you hit one. You should now be able to remove the center part of the threshold, leaving a small piece on either side. If the remaining pieces do not come out easily, they are probably held in by nails to the door frame. Trying to pry them out may cause unnecessary and even severe damage toOld, dry door frames can split severely if you were to try to force the threshold out. Instead, get a wood chisel at least anSplit the threshold up into smaller pieces (along the length) by hammering the chisel into the grain of the wood from theThe grain may not be visible if the threshold is painted, but it runs from door jamb to door jamb. The threshold will split along theKeep splitting it until it is completely free of the nails holding it into the door frame. You might be able to save yourself some splitting if there is a gap
between the door jambs and the threshold pieces. This gap will allow you to insert a hacksaw blade and cut the nails off. You can get a special hacksaw blade handle for this purpose or lock a hacksaw blade into a set of ViseGrips. Once the threshold is completely removed, you will know whether or not you have a more severe rot problem. This is where it gets complicated, since there are too many possible repairs to go intoSo lets pretend that the rot does not extend beyond theNow your job is to install a new threshold. the center piece of the old threshold as a sample, take it to the lumberyard or home store to choose a replacement. information you will need is the width of your door. Exterior oak thresholds are shaped like a squat, fat "T" with two small ears that protrude under the outside staff molding. Thresholds precut into this shape are available. Whether you will have to modify it or even make one yourself from a length of raw threshold
is a big question mark. Chances are, though, there will be some modification needed to fit it under the frame. We are going to make a leap of faith (and time) and assume that you have properly cut and test fit your replacement threshold. trick is installing it in such a way that it will be as good andAnd it is a trick! Since the threshold is slightly tilted towards the outside to run off rain water, it is not just a matter of sliding it under the door jambs and nailing it in place.that would be too easy. To raise and hold the threshold securely, you insert strips of wood... a.k.a. shims... and insert them under the threshold to give it the support down under. Because of the threshold's angle, it is impossible to insert a shim to hold up the inner edge of the threshold while it is in place. Instead, you will have to attach a shim or shims along the "two-by" frame under the inside edge of the threshold. width of these shims should be no more than 1 1/2 to 2 inches.