A threshold is where different kinds of flooring meet together beneath a doorway. This can refer to tile or wood meeting carpet or another kind of surface. It functions not only to give you a nice, finished look to the edges, but also to give you safe footing. While thresholds may also come in stone or metal, the most common material used for them is wood. This is also the type that needs to be replaced for many reasons, such as damage, warping, or pure age. If you intend to replace a threshold with a new one due to any of these reasons, it is actually not a very complicated task, but you will need to know the basics in order to make sure you wind up with the finish that you want.

Step 1. Gather the materials you will need for the project: a hammer, a pry bar, measuring tape, a hand drill, and nails or screws to set the new threshold in place. Making sure you have everything at hand will ensure you save time, especially since you will be putting your home at risk if you do not finish installing the new threshold, and consequently, the new door, before sundown. As such it is best to start work early in the day.

Step 2. For thresholds that are not inserted under the doorframe, use the pry bar to loosen it and then lift it out. For those that are attached under the doorframe, first remove the nails; then use the hammer to bang against the threshold from underneath the doorframe. Alternatively, you can cut the threshold into half and bang it out of place.

Step 3. Clean up the dust and sawdust as well as other debris. Make measurements of your new door opening, and trim your new threshold according to the measurements. If your old threshold was flat and you plan to use a new threshold with a sloping or rising surface, it might require trimming the doorstop or the doorway. This extra task will give you room for the new shape of the threshold. Of course, it also takes much more time, but in the end, the finished work will show you it was worth the time and effort you spent trimming the doorstop or doorway.

Step 4. Use your hand drill to make holes on the threshold before you nail it into place. This is because thresholds are mostly constructed of hard wood, making it extremely difficult to nail through it. This pre-drilling process makes sure you get your nails through the threshold with no trouble.

Step 5. Set the new threshold into place, checking to see it is lined up properly. Nail it into place with screws or nails that are at least one or two inches longer than the thickness of the wood on the threshold.

Step 6. Sand your new threshold using fine grit sandpaper and proceed with your choice of finishing, whether you plan to varnish, stain, or paint the threshold. This gives your work that finished and highly professional look.