Thresholds are sometimes unnoticeable. Not every doorway has them and those that do don’t always stand out. However, thresholds can be a nice addition to a doorway, especially if the floor at both sides is distinctively different from its neighbor and needs a separation barrier instead of abruptly meeting each other.
They can also be good for stopping drafts or preventing air, either warm or cool, from escaping or entering.
But what kind of maintenance do indoor thresholds need?
There are several things to consider such as staining, sealing with urethane, or painting. Each is a possibility but the final decision depends on you. The truth is a threshold needs some kind of coating to protect it from getting dirty, being marked up, or damaged.
If you have hard wood floors you could stain the threshold:
1. Lightly sand the threshold leveling it out on all sides.
2. Prepare stain.
3. If you want to match the color of the hard wood floor apply stain slowly in coats.
4. Once you’ve finished apply a sealer giving it several coats for extra protection.
If you want to paint the threshold:
1. Lightly sand the threshold leveling it out on all sides.
2. Prepare paint. It should be oil-based for the best shine and to be longer lasting.
3. Apply at least two coats letting it dry in between.
4. Once you’ve finished apply a sealer giving it several coats for extra protection.
If you like the wood color of the threshold you may want to leave it in its natural state. In that case you should still give it a varnish to protect from foot traffic.
1. Lightly sand the threshold leveling it out on all sides.
2. Prepare oil-based varnish.
3. Apply at least two coats letting it dry in between.
Finally add some caulking around the edges of the threshold to prevent dirt from getting caught in any open spaces. After all, the threshold will be crossed by many feet carrying all kinds of gook that may just stick around if given the chance.
