Non-standard threshold
#1
11-13-04, 05:53 PM
Non-standard threshold
Our threshold needs to be replaced, but it is 32 inches. It's the 4 " aluminum with the oak strip kind that I can easily find at our local home improvement centers, but ONLY in the 36 inch size. As a last resort I guess I could cut it down with a hacksaw, but I'd rather find the exact replacement. I've searched the Web and can't find it in 32 inches. Any suggestions?
#2
11-13-04, 07:25 PM
Katiedee,
As you noticed, the only length thresholds come in is 36" (or longer). If you need one shorter, you buy a 36" and cut it to length. (They are aluminum -- RECYCLE the cut off!) Hack saw, or a chop saw with a carbide tipped blade -- they cut easy.
As you noticed, the only length thresholds come in is 36" (or longer). If you need one shorter, you buy a 36" and cut it to length. (They are aluminum -- RECYCLE the cut off!) Hack saw, or a chop saw with a carbide tipped blade -- they cut easy.
#3
11-13-04, 08:14 PM
Thank you for your response. I was afraid that was the only option. I'm not surprised in the least. Our house is only 6 years old and the builder managed to install non-standard size toilets, windows, plumbing and who-knows-what-else. Everything we've had to replace or repair required special orders or, in this case, making something else work. The screw holes won't match up to the existing ones, but with a concrete drill bit and concrete patch we should be good to go.
#4
11-13-04, 08:58 PM
Katiedee,
WHERE is this door located?? I'm sure it's not the front door -- that would HAVE to be 36" for wheelchair access. Other doors that would have a threshold would be exterior doors, like the one from the house to the garage, a back or side door to the outside, or the man door out of the garage. Which of those "HAVE" to be 36" for wheelchair access will a call to be made by your local bldg. dept. -- and the call they made 6 years ago could very well be different than what they will call for today.
That the holes won't line up is no big surprise -- THEY NEVER DO!! A masonary bit and a hammer drill and go for it.
"Non standard sized toilets" -- WHAT does that mean?? Toilets really only have 3 measurements. There's the 'rough-in' measurement -- how far the flange bolts are from the wall. That's either 12" -- the most common -- or 10" (Rare, but still 'standard'). Bowl height off of the floor -- 15" to 16", plus the 1-1/4" for the seat, but that can change, Center line of the flange to the nearest wall or obstruction at either side is 15" minimum. Every toilet mfgr. that sells toilets in the US has to conform to that one. (Tank widths will vary from mfgr. to mfgr., but they ALL fit in that opening!)
Windows -- there is no such thing as "a standard sized window". There are COMMON sizes -- 3/0 4/0, 6/0 5/0, or whatever, (where the "3" is the number of feet, and the "0" is the number of inches) and COMMON sizes come in 6" increments for width, and usually 1 foot increments for height. But windows, (ESPECIALLY VINYLS) are made in 1/8" or even 1/16" increments.
WHERE is this door located?? I'm sure it's not the front door -- that would HAVE to be 36" for wheelchair access. Other doors that would have a threshold would be exterior doors, like the one from the house to the garage, a back or side door to the outside, or the man door out of the garage. Which of those "HAVE" to be 36" for wheelchair access will a call to be made by your local bldg. dept. -- and the call they made 6 years ago could very well be different than what they will call for today.
That the holes won't line up is no big surprise -- THEY NEVER DO!! A masonary bit and a hammer drill and go for it.
"Non standard sized toilets" -- WHAT does that mean?? Toilets really only have 3 measurements. There's the 'rough-in' measurement -- how far the flange bolts are from the wall. That's either 12" -- the most common -- or 10" (Rare, but still 'standard'). Bowl height off of the floor -- 15" to 16", plus the 1-1/4" for the seat, but that can change, Center line of the flange to the nearest wall or obstruction at either side is 15" minimum. Every toilet mfgr. that sells toilets in the US has to conform to that one. (Tank widths will vary from mfgr. to mfgr., but they ALL fit in that opening!)
Windows -- there is no such thing as "a standard sized window". There are COMMON sizes -- 3/0 4/0, 6/0 5/0, or whatever, (where the "3" is the number of feet, and the "0" is the number of inches) and COMMON sizes come in 6" increments for width, and usually 1 foot increments for height. But windows, (ESPECIALLY VINYLS) are made in 1/8" or even 1/16" increments.
#5
11-14-04, 10:48 AM
Lefty:
To answer your questions, the door is an exterior door going to the back yard. Like I said, no big deal to retrofit. Front door is 36", back is 32".
As far as the toilets, it's a "near wall" American Standard which is not available in major home improvement centers. It's a 10" rough-in, but you can't just buy any 10" rough-in. The tank matters in this model. Only one store in the metroplex carries it and unless we wanted to buy the phlange to extend the rough-in to 12" & chip away the concrete to fit it, then we have no choice in toilets. We've had to replace it twice. The first one kept clogging up and we have another identical one that never does. Once we replaced it, the problem was fixed. However, we later installed new tile in the bathroom and my husband accidentally cracked the bowl. After buying two different styles that were 10" rough-ins and discovering they wouldn't fit because of the tank, we had no choice but to order from this one store the exact same kind.
As far as the windows, the main ones in the living areas are 31" x 92" long. I had to make the curtains because standard drapes weren't long enough and special order was too costly. It's a good thing I like to sew. The same goes for the blinds - they had to be special ordered.
We have three different AC filter sizes. The one that is 14" x14" can only be found in the most expensive kind - at one store - no other choice unless we want to buy the kind you have to cut down and I won't do that.
The icemaker connection the builder installed would not work with our fitting so we bought a new hose and fitting, don't remember what size now, but it wouldn't work either. We bought and returned different fittings. We finally had to buy two different adapters to go from their size to another size to the size we needed for our original connector. We even took our icemaker hose to the plumbing department and they said the problem wasn't on our end - that it was on the builder's end for installing such an odd size fitting. Again, that was when we moved in so I don't remember the sizes. It doesn't matter now anyway.
To answer your questions, the door is an exterior door going to the back yard. Like I said, no big deal to retrofit. Front door is 36", back is 32".
As far as the toilets, it's a "near wall" American Standard which is not available in major home improvement centers. It's a 10" rough-in, but you can't just buy any 10" rough-in. The tank matters in this model. Only one store in the metroplex carries it and unless we wanted to buy the phlange to extend the rough-in to 12" & chip away the concrete to fit it, then we have no choice in toilets. We've had to replace it twice. The first one kept clogging up and we have another identical one that never does. Once we replaced it, the problem was fixed. However, we later installed new tile in the bathroom and my husband accidentally cracked the bowl. After buying two different styles that were 10" rough-ins and discovering they wouldn't fit because of the tank, we had no choice but to order from this one store the exact same kind.
As far as the windows, the main ones in the living areas are 31" x 92" long. I had to make the curtains because standard drapes weren't long enough and special order was too costly. It's a good thing I like to sew. The same goes for the blinds - they had to be special ordered.
We have three different AC filter sizes. The one that is 14" x14" can only be found in the most expensive kind - at one store - no other choice unless we want to buy the kind you have to cut down and I won't do that.
The icemaker connection the builder installed would not work with our fitting so we bought a new hose and fitting, don't remember what size now, but it wouldn't work either. We bought and returned different fittings. We finally had to buy two different adapters to go from their size to another size to the size we needed for our original connector. We even took our icemaker hose to the plumbing department and they said the problem wasn't on our end - that it was on the builder's end for installing such an odd size fitting. Again, that was when we moved in so I don't remember the sizes. It doesn't matter now anyway.
