Log in

View Full Version : New Exterior Door Threshold


Stubits
Sep 30, 2008, 11:47 AM
We have a door entering our basement from the exterior of the house. A threshold was never installed and as such, there is a gap, approximately 3/4" between the floor and the bottom of the door that is allowing bugs to enter the home (not to mention the cold pretty soon). Of course I'd like to install a threshold to alleviate these problems.

The only concern I have is how best to attach the threshold to the floor. The flooring surface is ceramic tile on top of the house concrete slab. Would it be possible to attach the threshold with construction adhesive? The alternative, I suppose, would involve drilling through the tile and then using a different bit to drill into the concrete, right? If so, would I use tapcons?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

ballengerb1
Sep 30, 2008, 12:11 PM
All of the above. I think you can glue with construction adhesive or use tapcon. Be sure to lay down pressure treated lumber.

Stubits
Sep 30, 2008, 12:14 PM
Great. I am actually thinking about using one of the aluminum thresholds as I am not sure wood would look good in this application. Suppose I can paint it though, we'll see.

Think I'll go with the adhesive, less chance of cracking the tiles, plus the slab is a bear to drill through, it's so old!

ballengerb1
Sep 30, 2008, 12:17 PM
If you go aluminim I'd still lay a wood palte first to have a large surface area for the glue, screw the aluminim to the plate.

Stubits
Sep 30, 2008, 12:18 PM
Thanks, great idea.

KISS
Sep 30, 2008, 12:27 PM
I did a threshold using an odd attachment method. The basement doo might get a lot of abuse.

I found anchors that are studs, so the more you tighten them the tighter they get because it pulls from the bottom. You just have to make sure they are deep enough.

The "nuts" I found were equally as weird. They looked like countersunk screws that were female threaded.

Worked like a champ.

The only other thing I did since the frame was wood and did get wet prior to the threshold install that I had to do some mending there. I used some brown painted flashing since the frame was redwood stained. So, I created an approximate 3" moulding at the bottom sides using painted flashing.

Stubits
Sep 30, 2008, 12:31 PM
Fascinating solution.

The only person who really uses the basement door is my mother-in-law, so not too worried about high traffic.

I am going to give it a go with the adhesive, but if it fails, I'll give your method a try!

hkstroud
Sep 30, 2008, 05:09 PM
Install a aluminum, adjustable threshold using construction adhesive and the anchors shown in this thread. After drilling the screw holds in aluminum threshold, use a hammer and a masonary nail to break the glaze of the tile, then drill the tile and concrete with the included drill bit.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/construction/installing-adjustable-door-threshold-170583.html

bc555
Nov 14, 2010, 10:15 AM
Good answers above. Polyurethane glue (in a caulk type tube) or similar in caulking is sticky (and expands so brace it down), wash away any dust on cement letting dry and put glue on bottom of threshold where it will contact concrete. If using anchors you have to match the anchor to the screw best suited for the threshold, like # 12 flathead maybe, the smaller type lead anchors sometimes don't hold (hence speculation), plastic anchor may be OK to hold it down enough for glue to set it in place.