Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds are a necessity to fill in gaps that are uneven at the bottom of doors. Repair My Windows And Doors protect you from all seasons of bugs, draughts, and water. A lowered threshold is more secure for pushchairs, wheelchairs and prams and connects indoor and outdoor spaces more effectively.
It is essential to know the different options when advising customers on the French door threshold options.
Weathered
The threshold of an external door is a crucial element of any door system, providing protection from the elements as well as an effortless transition between outdoor and indoor space. When choosing a threshold to go with an exterior door, it's important to find a balance between security and aesthetics. In addition to being essential to protect your home from weather they also play a crucial function in ensuring safety for the user. They help prevent tripping as well as limiting accessibility for people with mobility issues. As a result there are a variety of thresholds to choose from that allow customers to pick the best one for their home.
A threshold with a weathered finish is a great option for exterior doors, as it provides exceptional levels of weather protection, and creates a solid barrier that keeps water, wind and draughts out. This type threshold is set into the floor, leaving a 14mm rise. This reduces tripping hazards and also provides a secure seal against the weather. Weathered thresholds are recommended for all external doors as they provide greater protection against weather than other options. The higher height of the weathered thresholds can cause them to be unsuitable for certain users, particularly those using wheelchairs and pushchairs/prams.
Unweathered thresholds are usually shorter in height, with many only a few millimetres above the ground, meaning they are less likely to present any risk of tripping. They also provide a more seamless transition between outdoor and indoor spaces, allowing you to connect the two in a more open and seamless manner. Although they may not be as weatherproofed as a weathered option but are perfect for homeowners who wish to improve the aesthetics of their home without sacrificing protection or practicality.
If your French doors have an unweathered threshold or planning to replace them, a new threshold is a do-it-yourself task that can help smooth out the uneven gaps at the bottom of doors as well as protect against water ingress and drafts. It is possible to fit the new threshold on an existing sill, however the old threshold must be removed first. To remove the threshold, put an uncut bar (aka pry bar) between it and the subsill and carefully pull up the middle section. If the ends of the threshold are held in place, use a hammer and chisel to remove them from the jambs. Once the threshold has been removed, wipe away any residual mortar and sand the area until it has a smooth surface. It is recommended that you squirt an expanding foam sealant under the threshold before reinstalling it. This will keep it in place, and fill any air gaps.