How to Replace a Threshold

Pity the poor wooden threshold. That stomped-on, scuffed-up, taken-for-granted plank bakes in the sun, gets soaked by the rain, and endures the grit from every shoe that tromps in or out of the house. Without regular attention—an occasional lick of paint and some caulking—sooner or later that wood's a goner, and the underlying framework isn't far behind.

It's best to start replacement work early in the day, so there's time to fix any problems that come to light after the old threshold is out. A rotten subsill, punky joist ends, or a termite-riddled rim joist can stretch this two-hour job into a full day's labor.