Door Thresholds: Small but Mighty in Construction

DOOR THRESHOLDS

Let's talk about construction and interior design. Every tiny detail matters, right? And one little detail that often gets overlooked is the door threshold. It might seem like just a simple piece of hardware that goes at the bottom of a door, but it actually serves multiple purposes. Whether it's metal or wood, these little strips are super important for the functionality and look of a room.

Think of a threshold as that part of the door that separates your cozy indoors from the great outdoors. So when you're heading inside, you'd "cross the threshold".

What's the Deal with a Door Threshold?

First off, door thresholds are there to seal up the gap at the bottom of the door. Why does that matter? Well, it stops drafts from getting into a room, which helps keep the temperature just right and makes your place more energy efficient. Also, it provides a barrier to dust, pests, and other stuff you don't want coming into your space, so it helps keep things clean and hygienic.

They also help create a smooth transition between different types of flooring from one room to the next. They're like a buffer zone, reducing the wear and tear caused by foot traffic. That's key for keeping your floors looking good and cutting down on the need for frequent maintenance.

Full Frame Threshold

The full frame threshold is like a door frame that wraps all the way around the door, including the bottom. This design gives you the best weather-tightness and thermal efficiency because it places the door behind the frame on all sides. It's a great choice if you need top-notch insulation and weather protection.

Low Frame Threshold

The low frame threshold is a variation where the bottom frame is a bit lower than the full frame. That makes it easier to move across the threshold, but it doesn't provide as much weather protection as the full frame threshold. So, it's a good option if you don't need as much protection from the elements.

Low Threshold

The low threshold is a standard design that comes with weather protection features like upstands, seals, and gaskets for a tight seal against the base of your bifolds. It's designed to be user-friendly and is even wheelchair and pushchair friendly. It's an excellent choice for buildings that need to be accessible for everyone.

Flush Threshold

The flush threshold is designed for easy, step-free access. The bottom frame uses a brush or automatic bottom seal, and a drop seal that automatically goes down when the door closes to create a firm seal. This design is perfect for homes where you need easy movement and accessibility.

Weather-Tightness for Thresholds

When you're choosing a threshold design, several factors affect how weather-tight it is:

• Air permeability: Can it stop air from passing through?

• Water-tightness: How well does it resist water getting through?

• Resistance to wind load: Can it stand up to wind pressure?

• Thermal insulation: Can it reduce heat transfer?

• Height: The height of the threshold can also affect its weather-tightness.

Projecting Cill Options

You can put the door threshold directly onto brickwork or a concrete block, but adding a projecting cill can be practical and look good too. Most installations will need a 150mm or 190mm projecting cill for drainage and style. An 85mm stub cill is also an option if you need a smaller cill. All the aluminium cills designed for this are 25mm high.

Make sure to specify the projection of the cill so it drains properly, diverting water away from the brickwork and onto the ground. If water drains onto the surface of the brickwork, it can cause stains over time. Long-term exposure to water can also damage the bricks, which could let water seep into the inside of the building and cause more damage.