A threshold is usually made from a solid piece of wood for reinforcing the frame of a door and it provides some kind of a weatherproof seal for the bottom of a door exterior. With this protection, it helps keeping the rain water, snow, as well as insects from entering your house. In other words, by building a threshold, you will be defining two rooms or help to hide two different thickness of materials used for your flooring. Below are some of the steps that you can do in order to build a door threshold.
What you need:
- Wood
- Saw table
- Hammer
- Finish nails
Method:
- First of all, you have to check whether your door already has a threshold or not. If it already has a threshold, you can use it as a template for a new threshold and if there is no threshold, you need to measure and cut it to fit in between the trim molding and not underneath it. If under certain circumstances that it needs to go under, you will have to remove the trim set threshold and replace the trim.
- For a normal threshold, usually it comes with 3/4-inch in height but still can vary depending on the situation. Always make sure that the threshold finish above the floor surfaces. You also have to cut into size the pieces of hardwood and usually this wood should come with a thickness greater than your depth. If you are using 1/4-inch of your total depth, it is already considered too thick. When you finish cutting it, you can test whether it fits or not.
- Then, you need to add shims in order to bring its height up. Then ensure that you cover the whole area with shim material so that it will not move or squeak when being stepped on. You also need to make a mark on the threshold the height difference from the floor to top of threshold on both of the sides so that you can use it to cut bevels into the threshold.
- After that, you have to remove the threshold and place it on the table saw enabling you to cut the bevels. Ensure that you adjust the table saw to 45 degrees and also adjust fence so that you can make a cut on the top edge of the threshold. The process of cutting the bevel is according to the need as the one you have marked on your threshold, for example if you need a 1/4-inch size, you can cut the bevel with the similar size for both of the sides. Then, you have to sand and finish the threshold.
- In order for you to do the installation, you need to place your shims by using a construction adhesive before placing the threshold. Then, nail it with finish nails, set the nails and cover the holes using putty. If you are afraid that wood might be splitting up, you can just use pre-drill holes where the diameter of the drill should be having a slightly smaller than the shaft of the nail that you are using.
- Finally, you can use its finishing with another layer coat of polyurethane and let it dry thoroughly.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4715356_build-door-threshold.html
http://www.essortment.com/home/diyhowinstall_siyv.htm
Image Credit:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3684088822_520b06ece7.jpg
