I just replaced our entry door with Therma-Tru fiberglass door. Its a pre-hung so had to replace the whole frame. The reveal looks pretty uniform all around except some places.

I have a decent sized gap in the bottom between the door and the threshold. Can I use weather stripping under the door to fill this gap? It already has a weather strip but is very small (doesnt go all the way to touch the threshold). Is the gap due to an error in my installation? Whats the best way to rectify this?

In the process I accidentally cut the contact for the security system. I was able to pull the wire through the hole in the frame and left it handing. Can I buy any contact and connect it or do I need the exact one that I cut. Its from C&K and the part is 9824S. Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

Won't be much help on your security sensor, but on the door, it fit when it came from the factory, what happened? Is the gap across the entire bottom, or only on the latch side? Where are the other gaps you mentioned. Use terms such as hinge side and latch side so we can understand where it is. You may even want to post a couple of pictures on a site such as photobucket.com and copy/paste the HTML code to your reply post.

Larry

 

Larry - thanks for the response. I'll take some pictures today after I go home.

The gap is in the bottom, between the door and the threshold. The reveal is almost even around all other edges.

Here's the story. When I installed the frame I checked for plumb (bottom, top and sides) and the edges were level (though I used a 2ft level instead of a 4ft as recommended). But when I tried to put the door, the top hinge wouldnt fit (off by a fraction like maybe 1/16th inch [this is just a guess, I didnt actually measure]). So I adjusted the frame using shims, checked for level etc, but still no luck.

I had to loosen the top hinge on the door just a little bit to fix the door and then tighten the screws. I hope I didnt mess anything by fixing the door this way. Now when I check the reveal the gap near the top hinge (between the door and the frame) is slightly (maybe 1/16in) more than the rest of the areas. Also there is a gap in the bottom (between the door and the threshold). This gap is slightly tapering with the gap smallest at the hinge side of the door. I was wondering if I can use weather stripping to cover this gap. Does this make sense? I'll try to post some pictures tonight.

 

Your threshold is probably adjustable. Using a big #3 phillips screwdriver (or #3 straight, depending on the type of screw), you should be able to turn the 4 adjustable screws on top of the threshold which will raise the threshold to meet the weatherstrip. To test how tight the seal is at each adjustable point, slip a piece of paper over the threshold as you shut the door, then pull it out. You just barely want a little resistance as you pull the paper out... and you want the amount of drag to be even at each adjustable point.

If you don't see the adjustable screws, there may be a rubber/plastic plug covering them up. Carefully pry the plug out... do your adjusting... then replace the plug.

 

I did see the screws. I didnt know the threshold was adjustable. I'll give it a shot once I go home. Do you know how adjustable these are? Will I be able to lift it up by 1/2in, 1/4in?

Thanks again!

 

Yes, there is roughly 1/4" of adjustment.

If that isn't enough, then the head and sill of the door are probably out of level, and the hinges probably aren't as plumb as you think they are.

IMO, you really need a 78" level to do a "perfect" door installation, because it allows you to check the entire length of the side jamb and all three hinges for plumb at one time, and the long level is also a straightedge that helps you ensure that nothing is bowed. a 24" or 32" level is good for checking the head and sill to get them level. (provided it's an accurate level!) Believe it or not, levels can get OUT of level.

If the sill is not level, the large gap under the door on one end would indicate to me that you need to shim up one end of the door jamb.

 

Here are the pictures as promised (sorry I should have taken them in macro). and . It may not be too clear from the first picture, but the reveal is slightly large at the first big arrow compared to the second big arrow. Also notice the zig zag in the hing (small blue and red arrows).

You can see the gap under the door in the second picture. I tried to adjust the threshold height by removing turning the screws counter clockwise but the threshold doesnt rise. I lifted the threshold up by lifting it up but as soon as some pressure is applied it goes down. Whats the correct way to adjust the threshold height?

Thanks!

 

Ok. For some reason my links are not working. Let me try one more time.

Picasa Web Albums - nikkilu - Door

Picasa Web Albums - nikkilu - Door

 

Step back and take a picture. Macros shots don't tell us much. We need to see all the reveals. What kind of door is this? Does it have a mirror finish on one side?

 

You tighten the screws to make the threshold rise.

 

I dont know what mirror finish is but its a fiberglass door. Here's a complete pic from inside.

Picasa Web Albums - nikkilu - Door

You can use picassa's zoom in feature to look at the reveal.

Thanks again!

 

I was able to raise the threshold. The screws were incorrectly threaded to the flat washer under the threshold, so I couldn't turn the screw clockwise or counter clockwise. I removed the threshold and loosened the screws and was able to adjust.

I also figured why my door wouldn't fit. The frame is not flush with the interior (drywall) on the top edge and the top corners. That means I have to remove the door, frame and put them back (correctly). Anyways, thanks for all the replies/suggestions.

G'day!