Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds are essential to smooth uneven gaps at the bottom of doors and protect you from all seasons of bugs, draughts and water. A threshold that is lower also offers the safety of pushchairs and wheelchairs and connects indoor and outdoor spaces.
When you are advising your customers about their options for thresholds for french doors, it is crucial to know the different options available.
Weathered
The threshold of an external door is an essential element of any door system, providing protection from the elements and seamless transition between outdoor and indoor space. When deciding on the threshold to be used with an exterior door it is essential to strike a balance between safety and aesthetics. Alongside being essential to keep the home weatherproof, thresholds play an important function in ensuring safety for the user by preventing tripping and also restricting access for those with mobility issues or wheelchairs. Therefore, there are several threshold options to choose from for customers to select the one that is suitable for their home.
A threshold that is weathered is an ideal choice for doors that are outside, since it provides exceptional weather protection and creates a solid barrier that keeps water, wind and draughts out. This type threshold is set into the floor with a rise of 14mm. This reduces tripping hazards and creates a solid seal against the elements. Weathered thresholds should be utilized for all doors that are external because they provide better protection against weather than other options. The higher height of weathered thresholds can make them unsuitable to some users, especially those with wheelchairs or pushchairs/prams.
Unweathered thresholds tend to be lower in height, with some only a few millimetres above the ground, meaning they are less likely to pose any risk of tripping. They also offer an effortless transition between indoors and outdoor, allowing the two to be connected in a way that is accessible and open. While they may not be as weatherproof as a weatherproofed option, they are ideal for homeowners who want to improve the aesthetics of their home without sacrificing protection or functionality.
If you are planning to replace your french doors or they're currently fitted with an unweathered threshold installing a new threshold can be a DIY project. It will help to reduce the unevenness of the gap at the bottom of the doors and protect against drafts and water ingress. The old threshold needs to be removed before the new one can be installed on an existing sill. To remove the old threshold, stick an uncut bar (aka pry bar) between it and the subsill, and carefully pull up the middle section. If RepairMyWindowsAndDoors of the threshold have been nailed to the subsill then use a hammer or chisel to remove them from the jambs. After the threshold is removed, clean away any mortar left behind and sand the area to an even surface. It is recommended to spray an expanding foam sealant under the threshold before installing it. This will hold it in place and fill in any air gaps.