Threshold - a transverse beam on the floor at the bottom of the doorway. The threshold, like the door, in folk ideas is a direct and symbolic boundary between the house (one's own, not dangerous) and the rest of the outside world (alien, dangerous). Moreover, these ideas can be found both in everyday life and in various ritual actions, especially in the rites of passage - maternity, wedding, funeral.
When building a house and during the rite of passage to a new house, the owners perform a number of actions for further prosperous living. So, first of all, the owner lets a cat or a rooster through the threshold of the house: if the rooster goes towards the red corner, life in the new place will be happy, if not at the threshold.
In everyday life, special rules of conduct are associated with the threshold, as well as certain prohibitions: You can not sit or stand on the threshold.
But despite the fact that this rule is always declared, in practice, gatherers constantly observe violations of these rules by the villagers: people who come in for a short time often sit on the threshold, not to visit, but to tell or ask neighbors something.
They don’t greet and don’t pass things over the threshold, they don’t cross the threshold without the invitation of the owner. At the same time, the threshold is only one of the symbolic boundaries existing in the house. So, a person who comes to the house can cross the threshold, but at the same time he cannot go beyond the matitsa without a special invitation.
It is necessary to observe certain rules not only when entering the house, but also when leaving it. When leaving the house on the threshold, it is necessary to say a protective prayer, ask permission from those who will protect on the road.
The threshold (together with the porch) is of particular importance in the matrimonial relations of the village youth. The threshold of the house where the girl lives, the guy is not supposed to cross: the one who enters the house is evaluated by the elders as claiming the status of a groom.
At parties, the threshold turns out to be the location of the village guys: At such meetings of the girls, their own village guys came, sat at the threshold, and had their conversations.
When a guy took a girl from a holiday to his house (in the village it was called getting married with a self-propelled gun or cigarette), the girl became a wife, that is, she changed her girlish status to female as soon as she crossed the threshold of the guy’s house.
The husband's parents meet the young at the doorstep, presenting them with bread and salt. In the Leshukonsky district of the Arkhangelsk region, a young woman should immediately, “on the threshold” ask permission from her mother-in-law to call her “mother”.
In the Arkhangelsk region, when the bride was taken to the bathhouse, she should not have touched the threshold with her foot - "otherwise the girls from the village will not get married for a long time."
In the maternity rite, the threshold is associated with a number of magical actions, especially in cases of difficult childbirth: my grandmother gave me some water to drink. And she was doing something at the door. They say they washed the threshold at the door. And they gave water from the threshold to drink.
In the funeral rite, when the coffin is taken out, it is necessary to hit it three times on the threshold so that the deceased can say goodbye to the house. To wash the floors, after the deceased was taken out of the house, they began precisely from the threshold.
The threshold serves as a place for performing healing magic: the patient lies down on the threshold along the floorboard, and the healer performs a magical action on him.
The threshold as part of the doorway is found in the descriptions of divination. Thus, violating the prohibition, they sit on it while calling the betrothed or recognizing their further fate. Often various objects are used in this case: mirrors, candles, horse collars.
The threshold is associated with the idea of memory and forgetting. So, for example, there are a number of proverbs on this topic: memory is like up to the threshold; crossed the threshold and forgot.
The door sill is designed to improve sound insulation and thermal insulation of the doorway. It is a transverse beam located on the floor in the door frame, and the height of this device should not be more than 4 cm.
The floor plank serves to provide a smooth and visually appealing transition between rooms or from the street to the house. If the floor in adjacent rooms is located at different heights, then this element of the door structure can be omitted. It is mounted on any floor covering. It will perfectly complement the interior design.
There are thresholds for interior doors and for the front door. In addition, they are distinguished depending on the material. Profiles are divided into the following types:
- wooden;
- plastic;
- metal.
The most popular is the first option. Oak is the most common material for a wooden profile. Its wood is used in the construction of doors to the bathroom or toilet.
When choosing a board, its length must strictly correspond to the width of the doorway. It is important to remember that if you install a wooden threshold in the bathroom, the wood must undergo special treatment. It must be varnished and water-repellent solution. The disadvantage of the threshold of wood can be considered the property to quickly become unusable.
Plastic thresholds in terms of reliability are superior to wooden ones. In addition, they have a pleasant appearance. Plastic structures are produced both single-level and two-level.
The most durable are metal. They are made from stainless steel, aluminum or brass. All the advantages of metal profiles come down to a high indicator of reliability and a pleasant appearance, and the main disadvantage is the high cost.
Smart
The design got its name due to the ability to automatically lower. Interior doors with a threshold of this type have a recess in which the transverse floor beam is completely hidden.
The principle of operation is the functioning of the floating mechanism. If the door is closed, the profile lowers, thereby freeing up the space between the floor and the door leaf. When the door is opened, the beam rises and completely hides in the door.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each type of construction copes with its main task, which is to isolate the room from noise and keep the heat in the room. The ledge in the floor in some way restricts movement between rooms.
The choice of thresholds for doors should be based on the location of the future location. Dust and dirt will accumulate on the ledge in the doorway, so when cleaning the room, special attention should be paid to the transition between rooms.
These shortcomings are deprived of a smart threshold. In addition, it self-levels on an uneven floor, when it is installed, all surface defects will be hidden.
The only disadvantage of the smart stop is the complexity of installation. To fix it, the interior door will have to be converted in a special way. It is necessary to make a recess in the canvas. A rather complicated installation procedure requires professional construction tools and special skills.
Preparatory work before installation
Installing the threshold of an interior door begins with taking measurements of the door frame. The profile is placed in the opening, so its width cannot be allowed to be much narrower than the door. Otherwise, air will pass through it, and a constant draft will appear in the room. The size of the transverse floor plank can be adjusted by cutting it with a hacksaw on both sides.
In addition, you need to make sure that the ledge is not too high or low. In the closed position, there should be no gaps between the door leaf and the floor beam, and the door itself should close freely.
Before direct installation, the floor covering should be leveled. A floor with defects can negatively affect reliability and visual appeal.
Installation technology
Having made all the necessary measurements, you need to lay the threshold at the installation site and mark the location of the mounting holes. Using a puncher with an 8 mm drill, we make holes in accordance with the marks.
The holes should be about 6-8 cm wide. We insert plastic dowels into the finished recesses. We fix the profile by screwing the screws into the dowels.
Installation of interior doors with a threshold is much easier, because in this case the transverse beam is part of the door structure, and therefore does not require preliminary adjustment of dimensions.
Mounting with open fixing system
These are fairly simple jobs. For an open system, profiles with pre-drilled holes drilled at the same distance are used. The standard installation technology is designed for a threshold with an open fastening system.
The advantages of such profiles include reliability, ease of installation and dismantling. The disadvantages are the risks of spoiling the interior of the room with fixing screws. To get rid of such an unpleasant nuance, installation is recommended to be carried out using parts with decorative caps.
Installation with a closed mounting system
Closed thresholds are strips with internal floating holes for self-tapping screws. Such a design can be a profile consisting of two parts: a T-shaped nut and a rail.
To fasten the threshold with a closed system, a rail is screwed to the floor with self-tapping screws. Then the upper decorative strip is mounted on top of it.
Assembling a door frame with a threshold
A special feature of the door frame with a threshold is its addition to the bottom beam sawn at an angle of 90 °. First, a canvas is inserted into a box mounted on the floor or on two adjacent tables. A strip of packaging cardboard that covers the box beam and the surface of the door will help to accurately withstand the technological gap.
The fastening of a metal or wooden threshold is carried out using a pair of galvanized self-tapping screws. This door design has increased strength and is suitable for entrance doors.
To hide the joint between different floor coverings, as well as possible differences in uneven floor levels, it is customary to use a functional design - an interior threshold. This small detail is mounted between rooms, in the corridor, bathroom, and also near the front door. At first glance, it may seem that installing the threshold of an interior door is a simple matter. Somewhere it is true, but if you do not take into account some of the nuances, then you can experience a little difficulty. If you want to understand this issue in more detail, then this article is for your attention.
The interior threshold is an interior detail that is subjected to heavy loads and constant mechanical stress. This is due to the fact that it protrudes from the general floor level by several millimeters. Given this, it is important to pay special attention to the choice of this part. First, let's look at its features:
Advantages:
- Not only does a massive wooden door absorb noise, the threshold also copes with this task.
- With the installation of the threshold, dust and drafts enter the room less.
- If there is a flood in the bathroom, then the threshold can prevent the neighboring rooms from flooding. However, with significant flooding, this design will be useless.
- When food is being cooked in the kitchen, the threshold keeps smoke and fumes out of the living rooms.
Flaws:
- Often, because of the thresholds, especially children, fall, as it protrudes above the surface of the floor.
- If the self-tapping screws are poorly screwed into the threshold, then this can be the cause of leg injuries.
As you can see, along with the advantages, there are not so many disadvantages of this item. Now you should decide on what material it is better to purchase a threshold from.
Today the market is flooded with a large number of building materials, this also applies to thresholds. For your attention, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with thresholds made of different materials:
- Stainless steel.
- Bronze.
- Brass.
- Aluminum.
- Plastic.
- From laminate.
The most popular material from which interior thresholds are most often made is metal. In this category, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, etc. Due to their resistance to atmospheric influences, they can also be installed outdoors.
Thresholds made of this material are resistant to mechanical stress. On sale you can find both painted products and anodized.
Stainless steel
Due to the matte or glossy finish and silver color, stainless steel thresholds are rarely installed on the floor. Most often they are used in furniture or for wall decoration.
Bronze
This type of material is very expensive. Plus, it’s hard to find a threshold made of bronze on sale. Therefore, it is worth ordering. But there is a good alternative. "Under bronze" an aluminum threshold is made. It is more affordable in price.
Brass
If you want to have a beautiful golden color threshold, then brass is a great material. This valuable material will cost quite a lot, but the appearance will pay off all the costs.
Aluminum
Lightweight and reliable sills are made from an alloy of various metals that are in aluminum. Their affordable price is in perfect harmony with long-term operation.
Thresholds made of aluminum or steel are often covered with plain paint or a successful imitation of wood. Also, the aluminum profile is laminated with a durable film. Due to this, the appearance of wood, stone, etc. is copied.
This is one of the common materials that is used for installation under interior doors. If you want to have a durable threshold, it is recommended to purchase an oak threshold.
Oak sills are expensive, plus they need systematic care, namely painting and varnishing.
Plastic
Between metal and wood, the plastic threshold is average in terms of durability. This element has a wide range of colors. But its main drawback is manifested under intense loads, as a result, it can burst.
From laminate
If a laminate is laid on the floor, then it is advisable to use a laminate threshold. However, under conditions of high humidity, it can deform over time.
This material is usually used on the threshold of a balcony. It has no shrinkage and is durable.
Apart from the material used, this item also varies in appearance. This is very practical, because thanks to the variety of forms, thresholds of different difficulties can be blocked. Below are the main types of structures of this element.
Overhead or flat
They are plastic or metal plates that have different shapes. They can be successfully used for covering various kinds, for example, laminate, carpet and linoleum.
Such a threshold is called a consignment note, since its fastening is carried out from above.
Transitional or multi-level
If you need to hide the transition from different floor coverings, then this type of threshold will properly perform the task. Transitional thresholds will block the difference in height from 3 to 15 mm.
In shape, they are most often rounded or have the shape of a developed angle.
corner
In this category, aluminum thresholds are most often used. Often a difference is formed between the room, forming a small step. In such cases, such a threshold will be an excellent solution. The surface of the corner element is most often perforated.
Corner thresholds are also installed on the steps. And the perforated surface prevents the shoes from slipping.
This type of threshold is made from safe and hypoallergenic plastic. Under the influence of high temperature, it becomes elastic, due to which it acquires the desired configuration. This material is sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress. Most often they are used to hide threshold differences, finish columns, podiums and pedestals.
T-shaped
These products have different widths and colors. Underfoot they are almost imperceptible, as they are absolutely smooth. They can hide the radius transitions between one or another coating.
This type of threshold is predominantly made of metal, and sometimes of plastic. They are equipped with holes for fastening to the floor. To hide the hats of the screws, the holes are equipped with a conical shape. The holes themselves are arranged in increments of 15 cm. This is the simplest type of nut, with the installation of which everyone can handle.
This item does not have mounting holes. The fastener is hidden under the bottom of the structure itself. If the threshold difference does not exceed 15 mm, then this type of profile can be safely installed.
This is one of the latest developments, which resembles the letter P in shape. It is made of aluminum with a spring device and a rubber seal. Installation is carried out at the end of the door block, so that when the door is open, such a threshold is not visible. When the door closes, the guillotine automatically descends and completely closes the gap between the door and the floor.
This building organizes high-quality thermal insulation and sound insulation. The main advantage is the complete absence of drafts. Plus, the threshold does not interfere with movement. Smart threshold can be combined with absolutely any door.
This type of nut is not suitable for hollow doors, as its insertion occurs to a depth of at least 2 cm. Additional carpentry work will also be required.
So, we have decided on the types and materials from which the sills are made. Now consider the methods of their installation. It is worth noting that there are several technologies for their fastening. To a greater extent, it depends on the type of product design. The only thing that unites the beginning of installation work is the measuring process. You should take accurate measurements of the openings and cut the threshold with a hacksaw or grinder along them.
This method is very simple. The plate is equipped with mounting holes. To fix it, you need to mark with a pencil marks for drilling holes in the floor. Do not make holes too deep. Otherwise, the self-tapping screw with the dowel may become loose after a while. You just have to tighten the screws and put on decorative hats.
Most often preference is given to thresholds with a hidden fastening system, and in most cases for aesthetic reasons. In this case, strips with floating holes for the fastener head are used, which consist of a rail and a T-shaped nut. The mounting method is as follows:
- First of all, drill holes in the floor. Insert plastic dowels into them. Then carefully string the screws by the hat onto the bar. After that, you just have to send the screws into the plugs. In conclusion, you can lightly tap on the bar by placing several layers of paper or thick cardboard.
- If the threshold is in the shape of the letter T, then drill the required number of holes in the floor. Next, fasten the bar to the floor with self-tapping screws, and the upper decorative part of the threshold is snapped or glued on top.
In this case, extreme care is required. In this room, ceramic tiles are most often on the floor. Therefore, you will have to purchase a threshold that will not let moisture through. Just in this case, the ideal option would be a system - a smart threshold.
So, as you can see, the technology for setting the threshold with your own hands is quite simple. In addition to the functional load, it will give the floor a finished look. Therefore, you should not postpone its installation for later, but rather do this work right away. If you know other important details of doing this job, then leave feedback and comments at the end of this article.
Video
This video shows how to install an interior door sill:
wide doorway
Alternative descriptionsarchitectural element of the building
Triumphant building
Arch of the architect
Gate in honor of military victories
triumphal gate
Arc-shaped overlap of an opening in a wall or a span between two supports - pillars, bridge abutments, etc.
Arc between pylons
Opening in a semicircle
arcuate opening
arc overlap
Doorway through the house
Architectural vault
arc opening
Triumphant in Paris
triumphant gate
Opening in the form of an arc
Arc-shaped ceiling between two columns
Where can you find attic
Curved floor, in which the transverse thickness of the masonry is less than the length of the overlapped space
Triumphant...
Latin "arc"
Arc-shaped overlap of an opening in a wall or a span between two supports - pillars, bridge abutments
In architecture - curvilinear overlap of an opening in a wall
architectural element
Architectural "horseshoe"
Gate without leaves
Gate in a semicircle
arcade element
Through passage in the house
Arc as a gate
The structure of the victors
Say "arc" in Latin
This architectural structure is very similar to a rainbow
Erich Maria Remarque's novel "Triumphal..."
Curvilinear overlap
Always open gate
hole in the wall
Driving through the house
Curvilinear bridging of openings in a wall or spans between two supports
Arc on columns
Arc opening in the wall
arcuate overlap
Gate in honor of victory
Gate for the victor
architectural gate
Roof for the triumphant
Gateway
City gates for victors
Passage in the building
architectural opening
triumphal gate
Driving through the house
Semicircular...
Driving through the house
Turn "punishment" into a gate
Checkpoint for the winner
arcuate vault
triumphal building
Decorative entrance to the room
Architectural "semicircle"
arcuate passage
Construction "in an arc"
Semi-oval gate
Part of a sports bow
Arc de Triomphe in the title of Remarque's novel
Passage in a semicircle
architectural semicircle
. "arc" in Latin
Triumphant "Parisian"
Arc de Triomphe
arcuate gate
Gate in the form of an arc
Metal arc on tugboats
Standing on the Place de l'Etoile in Paris
. "bent" hole
overlap
Arc-shaped overlap of an opening in a wall or a span between two pillars, pillars, bridge abutments, etc.
. "Bent" opening
. "Arc" in Latin
. "Rainbow" opening
Architectural "horseshoe"
architectural arc
Architectural "semicircle"
J. lat. an arc thrown through the gaps, a lintel, a vault with a wall (not a bathhouse, not a head). The Roman arch is round at the top; eastern island; gothic archery. Arched, arched, related to it. Arcade a whole row, an order of lintels, vaults, sometimes with pillars; transitions under the arches; vaulted passages
Latin "arc"
Construction "in an arc"
Triumphant "Parisian"
Anagram for the word "kara"
A jumble of the word "cancer"
Anagram for the word "arak"
architectural opening
A mess of the word "cancer"
Anagram for the word "arak"
. "rainbow" opening
Anagram for the word "kara"
The passage between adjacent rooms is a place of increased injury risk, since most often the joint created by combining the floor coverings in these places is covered with a threshold, which many people "really like" to stumble on. Consider what are thresholds for interior doors, what are their features, advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of door sills
Many homeowners install an interior door sill for a specific purpose.
They are based on the following advantages of this element:
- the level of noise created during the operation of doors decreases, but the degree of reduction directly depends on what the door leaf is made of. More massive wood has better sound absorption characteristics, and when installed hollow, there is a high risk of squeaks and other noises. Separately, for sound absorption, sills with a rubber backing are used, which acts as a sealant;
- the threshold reduces the permeability of air masses between rooms, which is a very useful feature when installing a kitchen block in the doorway. When there is an open hearth in the kitchen, oxygen is used for its combustion, which means that if there is a shortage of it, part of the air will come from neighboring rooms. It is best to make the room airtight from the side of the front door with the help of a threshold, and access oxygen through a high-quality window unit with a ventilation function (detailed: "");
- the previous function also works in the opposite direction, protecting the rooms adjacent to the kitchen unit from the penetration of smoke, odors, etc. into them. Naturally, maximum protection is not guaranteed and a hood will need to be installed to improve the ventilation characteristics of the room;
- finally, a door frame with a threshold at the junction between the coatings of two adjacent rooms will be protected from dust and drafts;
- some owners will also like the aesthetic side of the issue. In the photo and during a visual inspection, the gap under the door will not be visible, which will create an additional sense of prestige from such a high-quality element in home decoration.
From the foregoing, we can conclude that the refusal to use the described element and the installation of a door without a threshold are acceptable, but this will require the use of alternative means for noise and sound insulation.
Installation of doors with a threshold in a plumbing unit
It is not difficult to understand that an overestimated threshold can protect the owners from potential flooding of the apartment if a leak occurs in the plumbing block, but such protection will not be absolute. The thresholds provide reliable protection only with a small amount of leaking water, and a full-fledged flood, which was prevented, will render the protective structure unusable, after which it will need to be replaced.
It is best to use a stone threshold as a waterproofing protection, which is not afraid of intense exposure to moisture. However, such an element has a significant disadvantage - a high risk of injury when hitting a hard stone surface.
Before installing the threshold of an interior door in a plumbing unit, consider whether ventilation is securely equipped in the room. If you close the only escape route for air in the form of a gap under the doorway, then there is a high risk of increasing the absolute indicator of air humidity. A built-in electric fan or a 4-5 mm gap under the door can solve this problem.
Varieties of thresholds for doors
When choosing a threshold for a doorway, you should familiarize yourself with the varieties of such an element:
- wooden products are most often pine or oak. It is most effective to use them in the personal rooms of residents: bedrooms, children's rooms, living rooms, offices;
- metal - are made from a number of materials, but the most practical are aluminum. Metal allows you to give the nut any shape during the production process. In this regard, single-level, multi-level and corner structures appeared;
- less durable, but more beautiful and neat material in the manufacture of sills is plastic;
- the most expensive type of thresholds is stone, since it has high strength and a number of positive characteristics that allow it to be used in absolutely any conditions. Mounting such a threshold in an existing doorway with an inserted door is very difficult.
Smart interior threshold
A unique product is the guillotine or, as it is also called, the “smart threshold”. With its use, the appearance of the room does not deteriorate, and cleaning does not become more difficult, as is the case with analog products.
The bottom line is that such a threshold is installed on the lower part of the door leaf and begins to perform its main tasks only when the door is closed, and when open, it is invisible to the eye. Thus, even the appearance of the door will not be spoiled in the photo due to an extra insert, and the room will be protected from the factors listed above.
A guillotine is cut to a door thickness of 2 centimeters, which makes it impossible to use such an element in the case of cheap door blocks that have a hollow leaf structure.
Installation without a threshold
If it is not possible to mount the threshold, then you should study the laying technology without it:
- a strip of metal with a special button is inserted under the door hinges, which is pressed in when the door is closed. At this time, a spring is activated, lowering the rubber seal strip, reliably closing the gap under the door;
- the service life of such technology can reach 25 years;
- the only drawback is that the installation of functional parts will require work with the door leaf.
Outcome
The article describes the main types of thresholds for interior doorways, as well as the features of their application. In order for such a decorative element to serve for a long time and at the same time perform its functions effectively, it is necessary to purchase products from quality materials in hardware stores. A low-quality design will quickly fail and new costs of money will be inevitable.
