Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds eliminate gaps at the bottoms of doors and provide protection against water, draughts, and insects throughout the year. A lowered threshold is safer for pushchairs, wheelchairs or prams, and also connects interior and outdoor spaces more effectively.
It is crucial to be aware of the various options available when advising customers on their French door threshold choices.
Weathered
The threshold of an exterior door is an essential feature of any door system, providing protection from the elements and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor space. However, it is important to strike the right balance between safety and fashion when selecting the threshold for your external door system. In addition to being essential to keep the home weatherproof thresholds play an essential role in user safety by preventing tripping, and limiting accessibility to those with mobility problems or wheelchairs. There are many threshold options, so customers can choose the one that is suitable for their home.
A weathered threshold provides great weather protection for doors on the outside. It creates a solid barrier that keeps out rain and wind as well as draughts. This kind of threshold is recessed/sunk in the floor with a rise of 14mm. This reduces tripping hazards and creates a solid seal against the elements. Weathered thresholds are recommended for all doors that are external as they provide greater weatherproofing than non-weathered options. However, the higher elevation of thresholds that are weathered could make them unsuitable for some users, particularly those with wheelchairs or pushchairs/prams.
Unweathered thresholds are usually lower in height, with many just a few millimetres off the ground, which means they are less likely to present any risk of tripping. They can also offer an easier transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for the connection of the two in an open and connected way. They may not provide the same level of weatherproofing as a weathered alternative however, they are ideal for homeowners who want to enhance their home's appearance without sacrificing functionality or security.
If your french doors are currently fitted with an unweathered threshold, or you're planning to replace the threshold, a new threshold is a simple do-it-yourself project that can help to smooth out the uneven gaps at the bottom of doors as well as protect against water ingress and drafts. It is possible to attach a new threshold to an existing sill, however the old threshold must be removed first. To remove the old sill, you need to place a flat bar between it and the subsill. Carefully pry up the middle section. If the ends of your threshold are nailed to the floor using the hammer to break them away from the jambs. After removing french doors glass replacement , sand and remove any mortar residue. When reinstalling the threshold it is recommended to spray expanding foam sealant under it to hold it in place. Also, make sure to plug any air gaps.