Choosing a French Door Threshold Replacement
Thresholds are required to fill in gaps that are uneven at the bottom of doors. They 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 seamlessly.
It is important to know the various options available when advising customers on the French door threshold options.
Weathered
The threshold of an external door is an essential feature of any door system, offering protection from the elements and an effortless transition between outdoor and indoor space. It is crucial to strike the right balance between safety and aesthetics when selecting the threshold for your external door system. While french door glass replacement are essential to protect your home from weather thresholds also play an important function in ensuring safety for the user. They help prevent tripping and also limit access to those who have mobility issues. There are a variety of thresholds that allow customers to pick the one that is suitable for their home.
A weathered threshold provides great weather protection for doors on the outside. It also creates a solid wall that keeps out water and wind as well as draughts. This type of threshold is recessed/sunk in the floor with a rise of 14mm. This reduces tripping hazards and also provides a secure seal against the weather. Weathered thresholds should be used for all external doors as they provide greater protection against weather than other options. However, the higher height of weathered thresholds may make them unsuitable for some people, particularly those who use wheelchairs or pushchairs/prams.
Unweathered thresholds are usually shorter in height, and many only a few millimetres above the ground, which means they are less likely to present any tripping risks. They also offer a smoother transition between outdoor and indoor spaces, helping to connect the two in an open and seamless manner. They might not provide the same levels of weatherproofing that a weathered option does, but they are perfect for homeowners who wish to enhance their home's appearance without sacrificing practicality or protection.
If you're planning to replace your French doors or they are currently fitted with an unweathered threshold installing a new threshold could be a straightforward DIY project. It can help reduce the unevenness of the gaps at the bottom of the doors and also protect against water ingress and drafts. The old threshold must be removed before the new one can be fitted to the existing sill. To remove the old sill, place a flat bar between it and the subsill. Carefully pull up the middle section. If the ends of the threshold have been nailed in place, use a hammer and chisel, to break them off from the jambs. After removing the threshold and sanding it, remove any mortar residue. Before reinstalling the threshold, it is recommended to spray expanding foam sealant underneath it to hold it in place and fill any air gaps.