How to Replace a Door Threshold

Yellow house door with white trim
  • 3-6 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 0-2,000
What You'll Need
Tape measure
Scissors
Pencil
New door threshold
Saw
Drill
What You'll Need
Tape measure
Scissors
Pencil
New door threshold
Saw
Drill

Learning how to replace a door threshold is important as a homeowner. Owning a house is a large and costly undertaking and learning how to replace a door, sink, cupboards and the like will help you over the coming years. The threshold is part of the doorway and covers the bottom of the door frame. It is susceptible to damage such as rotting and cracking and sometimes needs to be replaced. The article below will walk you through the process of learning how to replace a door threshold.

Buy the Threshold

Before replacing a door threshold you first need to buy your new one. Open the door you are replacing the threshold on and measure the gap from the bottom of the door to the floor. Now, use the tape measure to find out the width of the threshold as well as the length. This will give you a rough estimate of the size of the threshold you need to use.

Take these measurements to the home improvement center and pick up the new threshold. You can get larger than you need as you may trim off the excess but never get smaller than your measurements dictate. You can choose between wood and metal, and some will have weatherstripping included. Once you’ve settled on the new threshold, you’ll need to compare the measurements you took previously. The new threshold has to match the length, width, and depth of the previous threshold.

Remove the Old Threshold

Remove the screws in the top two hinges on the frame. Brace the door with your other hand and remove the screws from the middle hinge. The door will be loose, so brace it to prevent it from falling. Removing the door gives you enough room to remove the threshold. Use the screwdriver again to remove the screws in the center of the threshold strip.

If there is weatherstripping, you need to remove it to expose the screws. If the threshold you have currently is nailed in place then you will need to pry the threshold off the floor by inserting the pry bar around the edges. You can discard the threshold at this point but save the screws if there were any removed.

Trim

You may need to trim the new threshold. Measure the doorway’s width and length again, using the space where the old threshold used to be. Use these measurements and double-check them against the new threshold you purchased. If it is too long, cut the excess off and use scissors to cut the weatherstripping if that is also included.

Replace the Threshold

Place the new threshold in the vacated space and tap it down to seat it. If there are no holes for screws, drill pilot holes and screw the threshold in place. You can also nail it down if you so choose, using galvanized nails. Attach the weatherstrip if you have one and replace the door.