Laying the flooring is completed by installing fittings that allow you to organically close up joints and gaps in a variety of places and corners. At a minimum, it is necessary to mount the sills in the area of the doorway. The accessory is quite simple, but responsible in terms of performance of operational tasks. With the help of an interior threshold, you can not only hide the joints between the coatings, but also delicately level out the height discrepancies between the floors in different rooms.
General information about the element
The threshold for installation in the opening of interior doors is laid on the line of convergence of two floor coverings. In most cases, these are transition zones from one room to another, so the laying materials on the floor differ, requiring special joint sealing. Structurally, this accessory is a patch plate fixed with special fasteners orlocking mechanism. One of the functions of the threshold for interior doors is decorative. It is important not only to technically ensure the protection of the gap, but also to do it as aesthetically as possible. There are models of such planks of different textures on the market, which makes it possible to select solutions for interiors of different styles.
Material of production
Not so much design as a technical and operationally important classification of thresholds, which you should pay attention to when choosing. The range of options is wide, but the main materials are:
- Metal. A common solution that is in high demand due to its mechanical resistance, reliability and durability. If the strength criterion comes first, then it is not necessary to look for stainless steel models - aluminum or brass products will justify themselves for home use.
- Wood. It might seem like a natural option for home decorating applications, but flooring wears down these thresholds quickly, requiring frequent replacements. If this nuance does not bother you, then an original decorative effect in the form of a natural wood texture will be provided as compensation for the hassle.
- Cork. Compared to natural wood, interior thresholds made of technical cork have a structure that is more resistant to wear and tear, but their decorative qualities are not so pronounced, and sometimes environmental cleanliness is questionable.
- Rubber and plastic. Very practical and durableproducts. The strengths of this solution also include a variety of textured designs and elasticity. However, in combination with parquet or even laminate, rubber and plastic materials look out of place.
Classification of thresholds by design
Also an important selection criterion that determines both the method of placing the accessory and the technique of fastening. The main types of sill designs include the following:
- Standard flat profile. The usual solution, which is a flat overhead bar. Suitable for installation on flat surfaces with approximately the same height levels between coatings.
- Angular thresholds. As a rule, metal elements that completely cover the edge of one of the coating layers. This is usually done when designing high floor tiles, laminate or chipboard.
- Multilevel sills. Also, this accessory is called transitional, as it sets the task of eliminating a sharp drop in the levels of floor materials. Unlike side embedding, as is the case with corner models, the installation of interior thresholds of this type is carried out strictly on top. And in this case, it is especially important to initially calculate the dimensions of the element so that it organically enters the junction of two coatings.
- T-shaped thresholds. With the help of such models, radius transitions are formed with the immersion of the central rib directly into the niche of the gap, where two floor decks converge.
Custom threshold models
The advantages of rubber and plastic thresholds have already been noted, including elasticity. These materials produce flexible thresholds suitable for use in uneven joints. The same rubber deforms over time at room temperature, adjusting pointwise to the structure of an uneven seam in the joint of the coatings. Also, models with P-profiles can be attributed to non-standard interior thresholds. Their peculiarity lies in the presence of a spring mechanism that creates a damper effect. A special seal in the design of such a threshold is integrated into the end of the door frame in the lower part. When the door is closed, the seal completely covers the gap between it and the floor, which eliminates cold bridges and increases the sound insulation of the room.
Preparing to install the nut
Before installation activities should prepare a place to set the threshold. If you plan to change the old one, then it is completely dismantled with fasteners. After that, the junction is cleaned. The joint must be cleaned of construction debris, dust and various kinds of primers. As for the tool, the installation of the interior door threshold is carried out using a conventional carpentry set - depending on the fastening technique, you will need a hammer, mallet, drill driver and a hacksaw. You should also take care of the stability of the floor coverings. Edges must be securely fixed, taped, rolled or replaced in damaged areas.
Installation of thresholds with an open fastening system
The most popular mounting technique, which usually uses flat profile overlays. They may contain factory holes for installing hardware of a suitable format with a certain pitch. If there are no technological holes or they are in inappropriate places, then this defect is filled with one's own hands. The interior threshold is easily drilled with a drill-driver with a nozzle of the desired diameter, and if necessary, it can be cut with a leg along the edges. In the case of metal models, cutting is done with a grinder or a jigsaw. Next, the bar is installed in the prepared place and fastened with the same screwdriver. For fixing, it is recommended to use plastic dowels with screws, completely recessing them into the underfloor. In order to preserve the decorative appearance, it is recommended to use hardware with masking caps.
Installation of thresholds with hidden fixation
So that the fastening points are not visible at all, threshold models with a T-shaped profile are used. Among the design features of some modifications of such an element, the presence of a double profile should be highlighted. The basis for the fasteners will be the supporting backing strip, and the upper decorative strip will only close the joint. How to install an interior threshold with a hidden fixation? It is enough to screw the lower profile to the junction with the same hardware. Moreover, in this case it is more convenient to do this, since the screw is screwed directly to the floor without crossing the gap. At least it increasesinstallation accuracy. As for the overlay panel, it snaps into place from the top side. Rigid profiles of this type are enough to knock out with a mallet and the two parts of the threshold will come together tightly. For sealing purposes, it is possible to pre-lubricate the contact surfaces on both profiles with silicone construction adhesive.
Can interior doors be installed without a threshold?
It often happens that the transition areas between different coatings do not correlate with the threshold where the door is installed. In this case, a joint seal is not required at all, but a seal is needed for the door leaf, which will hold it in the closed position. This is one of the functions that the threshold performs. Is it possible to do without it if the joint between the floor coverings does not need to be closed? This configuration is allowed, but only if the door frame fits exactly. As experienced carpenters note, the bars of the vestibule can naturally hold the door leaf. But for this, the gap in the closed position between them and the canvas should be 2-3 mm. As soon as the door begins to open, the gap will shrink and will not allow it to exit the block.
Conclusion
Despite the external structural insignificance, the threshold performs a number of important tasks that affect both the durability of the floor finish and the appearance of the interior. With the help of the interior threshold, you can also place decorative accents. There are many original design models on the market that will bring shades of contrast and fully fulfill the basicfunctions. It is only important to initially calculate the configuration of the placement of this accessory, carefully considering its operational purpose in a particular place.
