One of the issues with the first replacement door was the threshold; the threshold is the metal part at the base of the door that people step on when they go through the door. First, it was not one but two pieces, which is OK as long as the support underneath the threshold. Here is the expanded threshold, or threshold extension, being added to the main threshold of the first replacement door.
With door #2 (sounds a lot like from the Let’s Make A Deal game show, doesn’t it? 
), it is one single threshold piece.
Next, look at the first picture above again. Notice that the threshold is fully exposed on the right side area. Compare to the picture below where you see the black horizontal cladding in front of the side areas. Using this black cladded horizontal piece at least makes the entire for look more stable and substantial (whether it does or not add to the structural integrity I don’t know.
Third, in the glass insert within the door, there is no fibre tear as there was with the first door. Of interest, when the first door was being removed we noticed that the fibre tear was gone. It must have become loose from all the use of the front door in the 4 months of use.
And, lastly, we have to mention the plugs. Two types of plugs here. First the interior plugs which were used on the inside frames around the glass inserts of door #1. These white plugs (that we, the home owner, were left to use) were used to cover the screws that held the glass inserts in the door. Notice first the screw hold in the lower glass insert border which were then to be covered individually by the packaged plugs shows in the second picture below.
With this second replacement door, a far different approach was taken. Rather than individual plugs for each screw hole, entire strips were used on the horizontal and vertical glass insert border. This had the preferred visual effect of having a more finished look to the glass inset borders. Below is a picture of the finished installation. Notice the borders around the glass inserts where you cannot see any plastic plugs.
The other type of plugs were on the outside. You may recall our significant disdain for these in the outside cladding of the first door. These were white that were hand painted black (to match the black outside cladding) that looked like … well, you know what.
Here, we were promised factory painted black exterior plugs. What did we receive? Well, I have no idea. Why? I have no idea because with this installation there were no visible plugs. The installers, Mike and Adam, were able to secure the door frame beneath the black exterior cladding such that no exterior plugs were needed. Very nice.
Speaking of Mike and Adam, in our next article we will review the differences with their installation approach and how they addressed the deficiencies with the first replacement door’s installation.
To continue to the next article in this series, simply select this link to Part 28.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Mike B. // Jul 30, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Where can you buy the plugs mentioned in the article? First the interior plugs which were used on the inside frames around the glass inserts of door #1. These white plugs (that we, the home owner, were left to use) were used to cover the screws that held the glass inserts in the door.
2 Dan // Jul 30, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hi Mike,
Thanks for stopping by and reading about our replacement front door experiences. I hope you found it useful for you.
You asked where can someone purchase the interior plugs that were used with the first replacement door used on the inside frames.
These came with the door. We did not have to purchase these separately. The door manufacturer should have provided these for you. If it did not, I would hope a simple phone call to the manufacturer (directly or via the installers) should get you what you need.
Otherwise, you might try any building supply store, say Lowes or Home Depot through whom you can order these doors.
I hope that helps,
Dan
3 Don // Oct 16, 2008 at 10:56 am
I had three exterior doors installed and planned on having storm doors installed. The contractor ordered the wrong doors and the threshold is too narrow. I have since fired the contractor due to other shoddy work. Where do I purchase threshold extensions to allow the installation of the storm doors without “shaving” the existing door frames.
4 Dan // Oct 16, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi Don,
Geeeesh, I feel your pain … but by reading about our experiences with our replacement front door I guess you already know that.
Remember, I am not a professional but writing about our own experiences. Now, as for where to purchase threshold extensions, you should first check that your threshold can use an extension without major rework of the base of the door frame.
Personally, I would go back to the door manufacturer directly and ask them, explaining the door model you have to see if they can not only sell to you directly but also what guidance they might have for installing the threshold extension or possibly, yuk, having to replace the existing threshold with the least damage to the door frame, etc.
It they can’t / won’t sell to you direct, I would ask them for the names of the retailers through whom their door can be ordered. This should include the major building materials supply retailers (HD, Lowes) as well as the local speciality stores in your area.
Please report back, Don, on your progresss as you have now piqued my curiousity.
Dan
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