Installing A Door Threshold

  • 2-4 hours
  • Beginner
  • 75-150
What You'll Need
Nails
Hammer
Saw or chisel
Caulk
Wood stain
Water repellent finish
Wooden threshold
Measuring tape
Drill
Vacuum or broom (for cleanup only)
What You'll Need
Nails
Hammer
Saw or chisel
Caulk
Wood stain
Water repellent finish
Wooden threshold
Measuring tape
Drill
Vacuum or broom (for cleanup only)

A door threshold will help protect your home from wasted energy as well as water damage. A door threshold can be installed in a day with some simple steps. Here’s how you can save yourself from paying a professional and install it yourself.

Step 1: Measuring

The first thing you need to know is how big of a threshold you have to replace. Most doors and entryways come in two sizes: 32 and 36 inches. Your common exterior door is at least 36 inches to allow for larger items to be carried into the house. Some newer homes have even larger dimensions. Most hardware stores have door thresholds large enough to fit any sized door.

Step 2: Remove the Old Threshold

This solves everyone’s desire for destruction, as the old threshold can be removed by simply prying it up out of the floor. If necessary, you may need a chisel or circular saw, but this is not common. The important thing is to remove the old threshold without damaging the floor or the current door, so be sure to use caution

Step 3: Measure and Cut the New Threshold

This is assuming you are using a wooden threshold. Again, many thresholds come pre-fixed to fit common sized doorways. Sometimes this step can be achieved by simply taking the old threshold into the hardware store and comparing it to the ones that are already precut to the proper length.

Step 4: Notch the Threshold

The new door threshold needs to have notches at the ends in order to fit around any stops on the current door frame. Again, using the old threshold as a guide is a good idea. That gives you more incentive to use care when taking it out so it is mostly intact. Using it as a guide can save you several steps in the long run.

Step 5: Clean the Area

This is where the vacuum and broom comes in handy. Before installing the new threshold, be sure to clean the area of any dirt and debris. This will also help you to form a tight seal once the new threshold is down.

Step 6: Caulking

Once you get the threshold in place, be sure to caulk the area between the floor and the threshold. This will form an airtight seal and prevent air from getting through underneath the new threshold.

Step 7: Positioning

Lightly tap the new threshold into place so that the edge facing the home’s exterior faces away from the house. If necessary, save the caulking portion until the threshold is properly in place.

Step 8: Drill Guide Holes

These holes need to be slightly smaller than the nails used to secure the threshold in place.

Step 9: Nail It Down

Once the holes are drilled, securely nail the new threshold in place. If wanted, seal the holes down with wood dough and sand it to an even finish when dry.

Step 10: Staining

The water repellent stain will keep the threshold weatherproof and it seals the wood from water damage.

In just a few steps you’ve installed your own door threshold. You can now have peace of mind that your home will be less susceptible to water and other damage.