Covered on a Rosemead visit
- Worn or split aluminum thresholds replaced
- Rotted wood sills cut out and replaced with oak or composite
- Adjustable thresholds set so the door seals without dragging
- New sealant bed under the threshold to stop water
- Door sweeps matched to the new threshold height
- Patio and garage-entry door thresholds
Outside what we take on
- Cutting new openings for doors or windows.
- Glass replacement; a glass shop handles panes and sealed units.
- Garage door openers, springs and tracks.
Thresholds on slab-floor homes
Most Rosemead houses near the city’s 1959 median build year sit on a concrete slab, with the front door threshold resting right on the concrete. When the sealant under it dries out, rain from the porch wicks under the door and the wood framing beside it starts to soften.
We check the bottom of the door jambs whenever we pull a threshold. Small soft spots get repaired before the new threshold goes down.
How a threshold gets replaced
Remove the old one
Screws come out and the threshold is cut or pried free.
Check underneath
The slab or subfloor is cleaned and any soft wood repaired.
Set the new threshold
It is cut to width, bedded in sealant and screwed down.
Fit the door
The sweep is adjusted so the door closes tight without rubbing.
Thresholds on Rosemead slab homes
Rosemead's ranch houses sit on concrete slabs, so exterior thresholds are usually aluminum or oak saddles screwed into the slab. Over years of foot traffic the oak wears down or rots at the ends, and aluminum thresholds come loose from their anchors. The result is a gap under the door that lets in dust, light, insects and rain.
We match the threshold to the door and the floor. When new flooring has raised the floor height inside, we choose a threshold that ramps up evenly so nobody trips.
- Worn wood or aluminum thresholds removed and replaced
- Adjustable thresholds set to meet the door sweep
- Thresholds bedded in sealant and anchored to the slab
- Interior transitions to tile, laminate or carpet finished cleanly
Accessible thresholds
For homes with walkers or wheelchairs, a low-profile threshold makes the door easier to use. We can also add a small ramp at the step outside.
If you are not sure which threshold you need, send a photo of the door from outside and inside, with the bottom of the door in view.
When it’s more than a threshold
A door frame that has rotted up from the floor, or a slab that has cracked and dropped at the doorway, needs a carpenter or concrete contractor.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add weatherstripping and door sweeps, storm door installation, wood rot repair or door leak repair.
What to text
A photo of the threshold from inside and outside, and one of the bottom corners of the door frame.
Door threshold questions
Can a handyman replace a door threshold?
Yes. Swapping a threshold on an existing door is routine.
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Why is water coming in under my front door?
The sealant under the threshold has failed, or the sweep no longer reaches it.
What is an adjustable threshold?
A threshold with a raised cap you can screw up or down to meet the door sweep.
How much does door threshold replacement cost?
It depends on the threshold and what’s under it. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Can you replace a threshold without removing the door?
Usually, yes. The door stays on its hinges.
Wood or aluminum threshold?
Aluminum resists water on exposed doors; oak suits sheltered entries.
Before you text: our notes on weatherstripping exterior doors, for anyone booking door threshold replacement.
Door tips for Rosemead homes
- Sealing drafty exterior doorsLight, dust or drafts around your front door? How to check weather stripping, sweeps and thresholds on Rosemead homes. Text a photo for a free estimate.
- Hollow-core doors: holes, sags and latch troubleHow we repair the hollow-core doors common in Rosemead's 1950s ranch houses: punched holes, loose hinges, misaligned latches, and swapping a slab.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of door and cabinet repair. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.