How to bridge the gap between a new floor and an old door
In short: When new hardwood flooring is installed, it often creates an unsightly and problematic gap at the entrance. Rather than replacing the entire door, a skilled carpenter can retrofit a custom threshold to create a seamless, weather-tight transition that protects your home from the elements.
When a homeowner installs new hardwood floors, the resulting change in floor height often leaves a gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold. To fix this, carpenter Nathan Gilbert suggests a dual approach: trimming the door itself and installing a custom-milled threshold to bridge the height difference.
The process begins with the door. After removing the hinge pins and laying the door flat on sawhorses, the bottom must be cut to a new length. To ensure a proper fit, the carpenter adds 1/8-inch to the height of the threshold material, using scribes to mark the cutline on the door edges. Once the circular saw has made the cut, the newly exposed wood grain must be sealed to prevent moisture absorption before the door is rehanged.
The threshold itself is typically crafted from 3/4-inch oak stock lumber. To achieve a professional finish, the carpenter bevels the top edges at a 45-degree angle using a table saw, creating an eased transition. If the threshold needs to overlap the existing floor, a rabbet is cut into its underside. The piece is then secured to the door sill with construction adhesive and nails, predrilled three inches from each end and once in the middle.
The final step in ensuring a tight seal involves assessing the gap after the threshold is installed. If a gap remains, a door sweep can be attached to the front of the door with screws to provide a complete weather barrier.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Make an Exterior Door Threshold | Ask This Old House
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