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I just opened the box containing my new Andersen French Doors anticipating an easy installation, but I’m surprised by the thickness of the threshold, 1-11/16″. There’s an abrubt rise on the inside and only the lower half is tapered on the outside. Has anyone dealt with this problem? In one location I’ll be adding 3/8″underlayment and vinyl, another will be 3/4″ hardwood and yet another will be 1″ saltillo tiles. I would like the threshold in this tile application to be almost flush, since it will divide an (air lock) foyer and interior hallway where the tiles are continuous through the two rooms.
I can’t think of anyway to lower the threshold, without lowering the head as well. Do other manufacturers pose the same problem?
David
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David, maybe I'm not quite getting your question, 'cause it seems to me that you've answered it yourself. You're using three different floor treatments to butt up to one kind of door. Tile on a mud base would be even higher than your situations. Anderson is hedging their bets, much better higher than lower than the finished floor. And, there's usually a piece of trim to cover the inevitable gap between finished floor and threshold, that baby's got some thickness too. We even put a 3/4 board under most exterior doors ( unless spece'd differently) to clear any foot wipin' throw rugs that would interfere with opening. Not trying to defend Andersen (they are overated and overpriced in my opinion), but I'd be happy with exterior thresholds that high, or jack up the floors inside. And, there's always outswings.
An exterior door keeps out more than salesmen, BB
*DavidYou obviously i can'tlower the sill without lowering the head soI'd be more inclined toi easethe abrupt rise on the inside with an added chamfered trim detail, maybe 5/4X2 chamfered down to 1/2" over 3/4",to make the sill step up proportionately to the 1-11/16" (maybe treat it like a sill with horns etc around the jamb trim) rather than worry about making it flush.Did something very similar just recently, looked quite good, and the customer was very happy!-pm
*It seems that some factory door units are designed so that the threshold sits on the sub floor so that the finish floor (usually 3/4) buts up to the threshold.That's what it seems.Ed. Williams
*Be happy with the high treshhold. the only problem willbe with the vinyl. and that will be less than a 3/4 rise. Do not get the tile to high. If it is to close the house may settle a bit and then it wont open. Remember Clad doors are hard to trim. You might try 5/8 underlayment under vinyl.