Here in New England weather is a serious factor that affects the exteriors of our homes, especially windows and doors – openings that, if not maintained, can allow water to infiltrate the structure. One key component of all exterior doors is the threshold. Now this may sound old-timey, but “threshold” is simply a term for the structural transition that is part of the doorway over which the door swings. It separates the interior floor from the outside and helps make entry smoother while keeping weather out.
In an older home an exterior threshold is often constructed with a sturdy hardwood such as oak to handle a lot of abuse from foot traffic and weather — but it can only withstand so much. If your threshold is in rough shape, it’s probably time to replace it.
Installing a new threshold and sill will take between two and three hours. Protect your floors with a drop cloth before you begin, and make sure you’re comfortable with basic carpentry skills.
Here are ten basic steps for replacing an old wooden threshold:
- Remove the old threshold from the doorway using a hammer and reciprocating saw.
- Use reciprocating saw to cut the nails securing toekick; remove toekick.
- Test-fit new threshold in doorway.
- Build up toekick and subfloor with pressure-treated lumber; re-install toekick.
- Apply a bead of tri-polymer caulk to the joint between the finished floor and new threshold.
- Install new threshold, then tap shims underneath.
- Close the door and check for an even gap along the threshold.
- Open the door, and apply expanding polyurethane sealant under the threshold.
- Close the door, then tap shims between door bottom and top of threshold; leave shims in place until the sealant cures.
- Sand threshold, then finish with an exterior paint or stain and topcoat that contains a ultra-violet protector.
Most exterior thresholds also have a sill beneath them. If the threshold is rotted, the sill probably is, too. The sill is beveled on one side to drain water away from the house. It fits tightly between wall studs and under the jambs and casing, so it has to be cut before it can be removed.
At Bingham Lumber, we have all the materials you’ll need to renovate your entryway, making it look better and protect your home better from the elements. For a closer look at replacing a wood threshold, check out this video.
There is an upside to having to spend time at home with kids during the current coronavirus pandemic – you have the opportunity to spend some quality time with them and help them learn new skills, such as woodworking. There are hundreds of simple, easy-to-do woodworking projects that kids can tackle mostly – if not entirely — by themselves. A few might require an adult to step in and provide some assistance, especially if there is a power tool involved. But for the most part, kids can get the chance to measure and cut wood; hammer, glue, or screw parts together; learn how to use paint or stain; and end up making a useful, even fun product for themselves or someone they love. 
With a history dating back over 400 years, New England has no shortage of old things, including many old buildings full of beautiful, high quality architectural items such as wide-plank flooring, wonderfully distressed barn siding, massive beams and other elements that can be put to good use in new, renovated, and restored homes. 
Renovating an older home can be a daunting task, but if you’ve been blessed with ownership of a house built in the late 19th or early 20th century – such as an old farmhouse or country home – you have the opportunity to update it while reinforcing the charm and old-timey look of wood that is no longer available in the modern lumber industry.
Floating wood shelves are a sleek, modern way to showcase beautiful wood while providing a very utilitarian way to display and store items. Featuring hidden shelf brackets that fit snugly and securely into a wall stud and holes drilled into the shelf, floating shelves are relatively easy to install with a few common tools and some accurate measuring.
Underfloor heating, known as radiant heating, is a type of heating system (as the name implies) that is installed under flooring, eliminating the need for unsightly radiators or warm air ducting that must be cut into ceilings, walls, and floors. Radiant heating may be either hydronic (water/fluid flowing through pipes) or electric (electric resistance heating elements).
Throughout the Mid-West and up and down the eastern seaboard lives a deep rooted history in agriculture and farming that has existed since the arrival of the first American settlers. The result is a landscape that has been dotted with beautiful old barns steeped in American history and use that has imbued them with character, charm and unique features. These features are the reason for the recent increase in popularity of reclaimed barn siding, paneling, and the overall use of reclaimed materials in new construction.
