The door thresholds in your home likely see constant foot traffic, which can leave them dirty, scuffed, and annoyingly loose over time. Replacing them is a relatively straightforward process, and with some patience and practice, you can learn how to replace a door threshold to improve your home’s appearance and, on exterior doors, avoid water and drafts from entering your home. Use this DIY guide on replacing door thresholds to get the job done in under an hour.
Prepping to Replace a Door Threshold
The supplies and tools you need to replace this part of your door will depend on the type of threshold and whether you’re working with an interior or exterior door.
Replacing an interior door threshold will usually require a pry bar and either a finish nailer or hammer, and you’ll need a jigsaw to notch the threshold. You also don’t need to caulk an interior door threshold, so you can save some money on the caulk and caulk gun.
Replacing an exterior door threshold will demand sealing to protect against water and air drafts, which means you’ll need that caulk and caulk gun. These thresholds usually use screws for mounting, so you won’t need a finish nailer or hammer, but you’ll likely need a screwdriver. Finally, exterior door thresholds less commonly require notches for trim, so you might be able to get away with cutting it to length with a handsaw rather than a jigsaw.
Your first order or business will be to remove the existing door threshold. The process will be a bit different for interior vs. exterior door thresholds.
To replace the threshold on an interior door:
Carefully slide a putty knife under the threshold to pry it up slightly. This should expose the nailheads. Be careful not to damage your flooring in the process.
Use your pry bar to pry out the nails.
Slide the threshold back until it comes loose from the doorframe.
To replace the threshold on an exterior door:
Use your putty knife to pop out the screw head covers. These might be absent on your threshold, so skip this step if you can already see the screw heads.
Unscrew the threshold.
Use your pry bar to pry off any trim on the inside of the threshold, if applicable. Set it aside for reinstallation later.
Use a putty knife to break the sealant along the inside edge of the threshold, if applicable.
Use a rubber mallet to tap the threshold back toward the inside of your home until you can remove it entirely.
Measure and Cut the New Door Threshold
Home improvement stores sell door thresholds in common lengths that may not match your door, so you will need to cut it to length.
Using your tape measure to measure the inside of the door frame. Make sure you account for any portion of the threshold that will fit underneath the door jamb trim.
Use a handsaw or jigsaw to cut the new threshold to the correct length. For exterior door thresholds, a single straight cut will usually suffice. For interior door thresholds, you may have to notch out for trim.
Carefully measure the cutouts for your interior door threshold using a tape measure. Mark your measurements on your new threshold as you go, and then make the cuts with a jigsaw.
Clean the Area
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Use your whisk broom and dust pan to sweep out any debris that might have been trapped under the old door threshold. Some contractors use construction adhesive to help keep door thresholds in place. If you see remnants of an adhesive, do your best to scrape it off with your putty knife and sweep away the debris.
It’s worth checking the area for rot or physical damage, which may require replacing the door frame or getting it repaired.
Install Your New Threshold
Once you have the threshold cut to the proper length and notched out for trim, if necessary, you can install it in place.
Slide the threshold into place to make sure it fits properly in the space. Use a rubber mallet to tap it gently into position if you need to.
If you’re replacing an interior door threshold, use a finish nailer or finish nails and a hammer to attach the new piece to the flooring underneath. You may want to throw down a bead of construction adhesive under the new threshold to prevent it from shifting in the future. Additionally, be careful if you use a hammer to nail it down, as you could easily damage the new threshold.
If you’re replacing an exterior door threshold, you’ll more likely screw it down into the flooring. Be careful not to overtighten. Place screw head covers over the screws if your threshold came with them.
Seal Your Threshold and Reinstall Trim
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If you’re replacing the threshold on an exterior door, it’s best to seal it to prevent water and outdoor air from leaking in from under the door.
Use your caulk gun to apply a bead of sealing caulk along the entire length of the inside of the new threshold. There are some types of weatherstripping that work in place of caulk, as well, but caulk is an affordable option that’s easy to apply.
Immediately reinstall your trim, if applicable. You may need to replace the trim if you damaged it when you pried it off.
Let the caulk dry for 24 to 48 hours before stepping on the threshold.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Replacing a door threshold requires some tools and may present some difficulty for inexperienced DIYers, but it’s a project that most homeowners should be able to tackle without too much trouble. You can save yourself between $100 and $300 on the cost of door repair by doing this work yourself, so it could be well worth it to DIY.
With that being said, there are some situations where it’s best to hire a pro. If you’re looking to replace a marble door threshold—usually reserved for bathroom doors—then you should hire a professional. Not only is marble not possible to cut cleanly to size at home, but attaching it properly is key to prevent water damage in your home if you ever have a leak in your bathroom.
Additionally, if don’t have experience with making the intricate cuts like the ones necessary to notch interior thresholds, or if you’re concerned that you won’t be able to waterproof or weatherproof your exterior threshold, then we recommend you call in a local handyman to get the job done properly the first time around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interior door thresholds are usually attached using finish nails, and some contractors will also use construction adhesive under the threshold to hold it in place. Exterior door thresholds are more commonly screwed to prevent them from pulling up when people step on the raised edge on the outside of the door. Exterior doors also include caulk sealant on the inside to prevent water and air from seeping through.
A door sill is the bottom portion of your door frame, while a threshold is the transition piece that separates the two types of flooring between rooms, or serves as the transition between the interior and exterior on an exterior door. The threshold sits on top of the door sill. A kick plate is a protective plate that sits against the face of a door to prevent damage to the door from feet and shoes. You’ll usually only find kick plates on exterior doors, while every door has a door sill, and most exterior and interior doors have a threshold.
Most professionals charge between $100 and $300 to replace a door threshold. Interior door thresholds will typically sit toward the lower end of that range, while exterior door thresholds will usually be higher, as your pro will need to waterproof and weatherproof the new threshold. Replacing a marble threshold for a bathroom door is one of the most expensive threshold projects, as marble is far more expensive and more challenging to work with than wood.
Dan is a writer and property manager and can be found sharing his home improvement tips on sites like EcoWatch and Today’s Homeowner. He loves sharing his years of hands-on experience and love of DIY to help homeowners bring their visions to life.
Dan is a writer and property manager and can be found sharing his home improvement tips on sites like EcoWatch and Today’s Homeowner. He loves sharing his years of hands-on experience and love of DIY to help homeowners bring their visions to life.
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