How to Attach A Door Threshold to Internal Concrete Flooring

Attaching a door threshold to the concrete subflooring in your home is a beginner-friendly DIY project that doesn’t require many materials or tools. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to assist you through the process.

Preparing Your Door Threshold

Before installing a door threshold, it’s essential to get the measurements right to ensure a smooth fit. First, measure the gap under your door to make sure it will still close properly once the new threshold is fitted. Next, place the threshold at the edge of the doorway and mark where the ends meet. Then using a saw, carefully cut the door threshold to size, ensuring the cut is straight, not angled. Sand down the edges to remove any roughness. This will help the threshold fit neatly and avoid any sharp edges.

Which Method is Right For You

When installing a door threshold, the best method for you will depend on your flooring. For hard surfaces like laminate, tiles, or vinyl over a concrete subfloor, the adhesive method is ideal, as it avoids the need to drill into the floor. However, if you’re placing a threshold between hard flooring and a concrete floor, such as in a garage or basement, or if you have carpet over a concrete subfloor, we recommend using the drilling method for a more secure fit. Ultimately, the decision is yours, depending on what works best for your home’s layout and materials.

Adhesive Method

This method is a good option if you don’t want to do any drilling into your floor or do not have the tools to do so. Make sure to choose a heavy-duty glue that is compatible with the flooring material you are attaching it to. If you’re adhering directly to concrete, we would recommend a polyurethane based glue as they are strong, multi-purpose, and water resistant.

Things You’ll Need

• Door threshold strip
• Heavy-duty glue 
• Saw
• Sandpaper

The Steps

1. Having pre-measured and cut your door threshold to size, test that it fits snugly and the door opens and closes as it should. 
2. If everything fits properly, wipe down the floor where the strip will go so it is clear of any dirt and dust. 
3. Then apply your heavy-duty glue as per the instructions on the product. 
4. Once you’ve glued down the strip, push down firmly all the way along so the adhesive has spread out fully and evenly. Take care to wipe off any excess. Then place a heavy object on top for a few hours while the glue sets. 

Drilling Method 

This method is best if you have carpet over concrete subflooring as you wouldn’t be able to use the adhesive method effectively on carpet. It also works well if you’re transitioning between two different flooring types such as from laminate to concrete within a basement. Whichever method you choose, however, is up to you and what is right for your space.

Things You’ll Need

• Door threshold strip
• Nails or screws
• Dowels or wall plugs 
• Hammer/impact drill 
• Hammer or screwdriver 
• Saw
• Sandpaper

The Steps

1. First, place your measured and cut threshold strip in the doorway and mark through the nail holes to the floor below. If you have carpet over concrete subflooring, you’ll need to cut small patches out of the carpet where these marks are so you have access to the floor below. 
2. Now, use masking tape to mark the drill bit on your hammer drill to the depth you will need for your nails or screws. 
3. Create pilot holes by drilling down until you reach the marked line and hoover away the dust and debris. 
4. The next step depends on whether you’re choosing to use screws or nails to secure your door threshold in place. If you’re using screws, push appropriately sized wall plugs into the hole in the concrete. Alternatively, if you’re going to use nails then take a wooden dowel rod that fits in the drilled hole snugly and saw off any excess so it is flush with the concrete. 
5. Now line up your door threshold strip and screw or nail it down into the wall plugs or dowel rods until it is secure. 

Find The Perfect Door Threshold

The right door threshold can be the finishing touch you need to complete your space. Read our helpful guide on how to choose the right door threshold and then explore our extensive collection of beautiful door thresholds to find the perfect one for your home. We even offer free UK delivery on all orders over £75.