What I replace
- Worn hardwood sills on older entry doors
- Aluminum and adjustable thresholds
- Soft or damaged subfloor under the sill repaired
- New thresholds bedded in sealant and fastened
- Door bottoms trimmed or sweeps added to meet the new sill
- Back and side doors to porches and patios
Old sills in San Gabriel
With 52.3 percent of homes over 60 years old, many San Gabriel houses have raised wood floors and original hardwood door sills. Decades of foot traffic wear a dip in the middle where water sits, and the wood beneath can soften.
Older doorways are often slightly out of level, so I scribe the new threshold to fit the opening rather than forcing a stock piece.
My process
Take out the old sill
Cut and pried out without damaging the jambs.
Repair below
Subfloor and framing checked and patched.
Fit and seal
New threshold scribed, sealed and fastened.
Adjust the door
Sweep or door bottom set to seal.
Bigger repairs
Rotted floor joists or a sagging door frame go to a carpenter.
On the same San Gabriel visit, people also tend to ask about weatherstripping and door sweeps, storm door installation, wood rot repair or door leak repair.
Send me
Photos of the threshold, the floor on each side, and the bottom of the door frame.
Threshold questions
How do I know my threshold needs replacing?
It’s cracked, loose, worn into a dip, or water gets under the door.
Can you match an old wood threshold?
Closely. I can fit a new hardwood sill and stain it close to the original.
What’s under a door threshold?
Subfloor or concrete, plus sealant. I check it when the old one comes out.
How much does it cost to replace a threshold?
It depends on the material and any repair underneath. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Will a new threshold stop drafts?
Together with a matching sweep, yes.
Do you replace sliding door thresholds?
No. Sliding door tracks are part of the door unit; I can repair rollers and seals instead.
Door guides
- Heavy plank doors that sag, drag or will not latchHow we fix heavy plank and arched doors with iron strap hinges in San Gabriel's Mission Revival homes: sagging, dragging and latches that miss.
- Getting a thick-walled house ready for winter rainA fall checklist for older San Gabriel homes with thick walls and deep windows: sills, doors, drains, caulking and outdoor outlets.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our doors, cabinets and hardware group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.