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Do I Need a Special Door Sill for a Cement Floor?

Door sills, or thresholds, are made to secure a door and keep the elements, bugs and moisture out. Door sills that are installed onto concrete or cement surfaces need to be aluminum. Wood sills contract and expand with heat. When wood thresholds are placed on a solid surface that doesn't contract or expand, it can create gaps during the colder months. Aluminum won't contract once anchored and sealed into place. Installing an aluminum sill on a concrete floor is a quick afternoon project.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Newspaper
  • Marker
  • Aluminum door sill with rubber gasket
  • Hacksaw
  • Jigsaw
  • Metal file
  • Masonry drill bit
  • Drill
  • Plastic anchors
  • Weatherproof caulk
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the door opening to determine the length of the sill.

    • 2

      Place a piece of newspaper down in the space on the floor where the sill will be placed. Trace around the doorjamb notches. This will be your pattern for the sill.

    • 3

      Measure the door sill and mark the length using the measurement in Step 1. Place the sill on top of the newspaper to determine where to mark the doorjamb notches. Mark the notches once you have measured correctly.

    • 4

      Cut the sill to the marked length using the hacksaw. Cut the notches out on either side with a jigsaw.

    • 5

      File the cut surfaces with a metal file to soften the sharp edges of the aluminum.

    • 6

      Place the sill in its place on the floor. Mark the screw holes by sticking the marker inside and tracing. Remove the sill.

    • 7

      Fit your drill with the masonry bit and drill the pilot holes in the cement. Replace the sill on the floor.

    • 8

      Insert the screws into the plastic anchors. Line the screws and the anchors up in the hole and screw them down into the cement with the drill.

    • 9

      Test the door to make sure you have enough clearance. Tighten or loosen the screws if you need less or more space respectively.

    • 10

      Run a bead of weatherproof caulk on the front and back edges of the sill. Smooth with your finger.

    • 11

      Slide the rubber gasket in the opening of the sill.

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Next:

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