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Ideal Wood Species for Wood Threshold

user-1146888260 | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 21, 2023 01:46am

Im looking for the right species to use beneath a door sill. Im installing a manufactured home door in what used to be a shed. The shed has low clearance and a standard 80” door would not fit without heavy modification. These doors come in shorter heights, and come with a nailing flange and are installed and flashed much like windows. So im looking for a strong buck material that will support the weight of the door and one of its users, that I can nail the flange into,  that could withstand some limited/indirect rain splash from below the door where the shed’s steel foundation meets the concrete slab it sits on. I want to mill this piece into place with a taper on the inside, and for that reason im not a big fan of pt. Is there a certain species I could look at with superior weather resistance? This wont be visible so I would prime the piece before installing, but im looking for species that can provide additional protection since it probably will never get re-primed in the odd location it will be installed.

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  1. edinde | Aug 21, 2023 12:30pm | #1

    I've only ever made thresholds from red oak. My issue with painting them is -- as you can guess -- they'll get worn. Recently I tried chemically darkening the oak with iron+vinegar, which worked pretty well.

  2. 1095mike | Aug 21, 2023 07:50pm | #2

    Try quarter sawn white oak. It is the material used for ready made thresholds.

  3. calvin | Aug 22, 2023 09:22am | #3

    Old white oak is the ticket. OLD

    I might even try cypress. I built an exterior screen door with it and can say it looks new. Been there 3 times longer than the store bought wood screen. Softer wood so maybe not. With a metal thresh on top, what’s to wear.

    Often replaced old door units in ancient homes, salvaged the original thresholds and except for some surface wear they looked real good.

  4. eddo234 | Aug 24, 2023 09:09pm | #4

    I’ve never understood why red oak seems to be the most common material used. It’s not rot resistant. As others have said, white oak is the best. It’s rot resistant and it’s hard/wear resistant.

  5. User avater
    mistered1957 | Aug 24, 2023 09:54pm | #5

    White oak is probably the best choice for value. Otherwise mahogeny, teak, and meranti...

  6. skard | Aug 25, 2023 12:01am | #6

    According to the Wood Database, white oak is good, but so is American chestnut, black locust, honey mesquite, etc.

    If you don't know the Wood Database, it can be very handy, though sometimes it gives you a bewildering number of varieties (like seven different types of oak besides red and white.)

    I set the filters for "North America" for location, and "Very Durable" for decay resistance:
    https://www.wood-database.com/wood-filter/?fwp_location=north-america&fwp_decay=very-durable

    I would add: if you can find pieces of Ipe (used for expensive decking) or teak, they would likely be more rot resistant than anything you could find locally. They may be difficult to work though.

  7. mgmahan | Aug 25, 2023 12:08pm | #7

    Teak

  8. bobbomax | Aug 26, 2023 01:07pm | #8

    Or, how about a piece of plastic decking, e.g., Trex? It's neither strong nor stiff, so it will need good support, but it's rot resistant, easy to work and readily available, unlike many of the species mentioned above.

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