Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds are required to smooth uneven gaps at the bottom of doors and provide all-year-round protection from bugs, draughts and water. A lowered threshold also provides security for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and also connects the indoor and outdoor spaces.
It is essential to know the various options when advising customers about their French door threshold choices.
Weathered
The threshold of an outside door is a crucial feature of any door. It protects you from the elements and an effortless transition from indoor to outdoor space. However, it is important to find the right balance between safety and style when choosing the threshold for an exterior door system. While replace garage door with french doors are essential to protect your home from weather thresholds also play a crucial role in user safety. They prevent tripping as well as limiting accessibility for people with mobility issues. In the end, there are several threshold options available for customers to select the one that is suitable for their home.
A threshold that is weathered provides excellent weather protection for doors that are outside. It creates a solid barrier that blocks out water, wind, and draughts. This type of threshold can be recessed/sunk into the floor leaving a 14mm upstand, minimising tripping hazards while leaving an effective seal against elements. Weathered thresholds should be utilized for all doors outside, as they offer greater protection against weather than other options. The higher height of thresholds that are weathered can cause them to be unsuitable for certain users, particularly those who use wheelchairs and pushchairs/prams.
Unweathered thresholds are generally lower in height. A lot of them are just millimetres off of the ground. This means that they are less likely to create accidents due to tripping. They also provide a more seamless transition between outdoor and indoor spaces, allowing for the connection of the two in a more open and connected way. Although they may not be as weatherproofed as a weathered option but are ideal for homeowners who want to improve the aesthetics of their home without sacrificing security or practicality.
If your french doors are currently fitted with an unweathered threshold or planning to replace the threshold, a new threshold is a simple do-it-yourself project that can smooth uneven gaps at the bottom of doors, and also protect against drafts and water ingress. The old threshold needs to be removed before the new one can be fitted to an existing sill. To take off the old sill, you need to place the flat bar between it and the subsill. Carefully pry up the middle section. If the ends of the threshold are nailed to the subsill using a hammer and chisel, to break them off from the jambs. After removal of the threshold and sanding it, remove any mortar remnants. Before reinstalling the threshold it is recommended to spray a bit of expanding foam sealant beneath it to keep it in place. Also, make sure to plug any air gaps.