The porch is the first thing that guests see, it can be considered the hallmark of any home. The design of the porch gives the impression not only of the house, but also of its owner. And the neater and more attractive it looks, the better.

For decorative purposes, sculptures, flowers, columns, carved balusters are often used. But at the same time, you need to take into account the general style. Let's say a chic stone porch is not suitable for a simple wooden house, and, on the contrary, for a huge brick structure, a small wooden porch will look ridiculous.

The main components of the structure are:

• Steps;
• Railing;
• Visor;
• Area.

Varieties of porches

There are many types of porches. They differ in size, materials from which they are made, additional elements and functionality.

Let's start with the most common. It is suitable for a small house or summer cottage. The easiest way to build it.

Brick porch will look organically next to a brick house. However, with the right decoration, you can do this for a wooden house and buildings sheathed with other materials.

Column porch not suitable for every home. First, because it is not easy to fit into the overall design. Secondly, not many materials in style are combined with the columns. Columns will fit well in a brick or stone building.

Glazed porch especially important for cold climates. It is more difficult to design it than usual, but in terms of its functionality, such a porch surpasses the main types.

Porch design

Before proceeding directly to the construction, it is necessary, at least, to have in mind the entire construction plan. But it is better to depict it on paper and calculate all sizes, pay attention to all the nuances.

It is important for the project to provide for:

• Location of adjacent parts (doors, paths);
• Building materials;
• Instruments;

An example of a project is shown in the figure. This porch consists of:

1. support part;
2. steps;
3. handrail;
4. side part in the form of a flower bed;
5. canopy.

The porch, as a rule, is made so that it is on the same level with the 1st floor of the house, but you need to take into account the margin for the front door, which should be at least 5 cm from the porch site (since, in accordance with fire safety techniques, the front door should open outward).

When designing, you should consider a canopy or a full roof for protection from precipitation. You definitely need to think about fences, since in winter the steps often become icy. It will be dangerous to move along them without support at this time.

How to choose materials for the porch

When choosing materials for a porch, it is best to rely on what the main building is made of. As already mentioned, a tree will suit a wooden house, a brick will suit a brick one. At the same time, it is possible to select compositions from different materials. But for this they need to be properly assembled and adjusted. So, for example, a porch of typical staircase steps will harmoniously fit into a spacious stone house, and ceramic cladding will make such a structure original.

A wooden structure is easiest to build, since it does not require a large support, which means that you can do without a foundation. But this material also has obvious disadvantages - low strength.

As an additional material, metal will do quite well. It is usually mounted on a concrete base.

Important! Do not forget about waterproofing, in humid and cold climates this plays a big role.

How to calculate your porch size

It would seem that you don't have to bother too much about the size, but this is not so, because the porch must first of all be safe. And it's also convenient.

The area at the door. Let's start with observation: to open a door, a person first walks to the door, turns, inserts the key, opens, and then takes a step back. To do all these actions, you need a certain space to the left and right of the door, as well as in front of it.

There are building codes that govern the size of the porch. They differ depending on whether the door is single or double.

For the first, the depth should be at least one and a half meters, width from one and a half to one meter and sixty centimeters. For the second at the same depth, the width should be over two meters. Of course, these parameters should not be taken as an ideal. It will be better if they become even slightly exceeded. You should definitely take care of this if the porch is high.

Steps. Their width differs from structures inside buildings, external ones should be more comfortable and safe. It is recommended to tread at least 30 centimeters.

While the number of steps is often small, their height, on the contrary, should be reduced in comparison with internal staircases. A good height in this case is between 14 and 17 centimeters.

Railings and fences... If the porch is more than 3 steps high, then it is necessary to make fences on it. The standard size of the railing is suitable - 80-90 centimeters.

Light . Lighting is important when building a porch, as this is a place of special injury risk. The same rule of 3 steps applies here, that is, if there are 4 or more steps in a staircase, then one lamp is not enough. You need to hang at least two so that they illuminate the porch from different sides. This is due to the fact that the lighting fixture located above the door gives a large shadow, as a result of which the steps are not viewed properly.

Visor. What is it for? The first answer that comes to mind is to hide from the rain. But, besides this, it is also designed to protect the steps from precipitation, which is especially important in winter. Therefore, the visor should be made wider than the porch. It is recommended that it be at least 30 centimeters longer than the porch on all sides.

Such a large canopy reduces the amount of light, especially if there are windows underneath. To solve this problem, polycarbonate can be used for the purpose of building such a roof.

We build a porch for the house with our own hands

Consider the option of building a porch, the price of which is most consistent with the quality. To do this, it is necessary to make a base from a conventional foundation, reinforced with reinforcement and in several layers of cement filled with a solution.

Such a porch can be finished with tiles, stone or any other suitable material.

Preparatory work

The construction of a porch, like any other object, begins with clearing the place and marking. This is done in order to save time later. All the necessary tools and materials (reinforcement, sand and cement) are also purchased.

Concrete foundation

It is easy to guess that it all starts with the creation of a foundation, under which the first step is to dig a pit (the depth is equal to the size of the foundation of the house itself). Then, according to the rules, you should fill in a pillow of gravel and sand, and then pour concrete, setting the formwork.

The rules and regulations must be followed so that the porch does not have to be restored in the next few years.

For the base of the foundation, you will need a broken brick, on top of which a mesh of ribbed reinforcement is installed. This will strengthen the foundation and bond it to the foundation of the main building. Next, you need to take out the reinforcement from the foundation of the building, the future threshold will be poured along it. After the finished “floor” under the base has been obtained, you need to drive in more vertical pieces of reinforcement into it, which we fill from above with a good cement solution.

Porch base

After the base of the foundation is poured, it's time to move on to forming the base of the porch. A backing brick is suitable for this purpose. They should lay out the base of the structure, taking into account the required dimensions. At this stage, do not forget about waterproofing, since the brick is sensitive to high humidity. We need both horizontal and vertical types of waterproofing - the base is cut off from the porch, the whole base is treated with aquasol or a double layer of roofing material.

Masonry steps

The moment has come to lay the steps. A high-quality brick will come in handy here, it is not recommended to take already used ones. In principle, almost any type of brick will do. It is put on a regular mortar, in a way convenient for the builder. This stage should be approached with special care, because the steps are the main part of this structure.

Finishing and decoration

There is no big difference whether it is a wooden or brick porch, because the main thing is ease of use, high quality, reliability and durability. But also not in the last place is the aesthetic component.

Therefore, it is also necessary to decorate the porch of the house. To increase the service life, it is worth trimming the edges of the steps with a metal corner.

For the integrity of the architectural ensemble, it is necessary to carry out coordinated color solutions in the decoration. So, if there are elements of forging in the enclosing structures, then it would be nice to use similar elements in the design of the railings and pilasters for the canopy.

Various directions in the decor of the porch

Examples of beautiful design can be seen in the video

Classics. In this case, a gable canopy, chiseled railings and round balusters are required. Stone or tiles are suitable as cladding.

In the "castle" style. A fairly massive structure, decorated with natural stone. For decorative purposes, you can use torches, lattices, heavy furniture.

Old Russian era... In Russia, the main entrance of a traditional wooden house was made high, on large heavy supports, and at the same time it was quite spacious. It was customary to use patterns and carved elements in large quantities as decorations.

Patio porch. Such a structure looks like an open terrace adjacent to the house. There are benches, tables, chairs on it. Moreover, not in all cases a roof is made over the structure.

European style... This design is characterized by restrained lines and regular features. As a rule, such a porch is a low structure. For cladding, take ceramic tiles or a suitable type of stone.

French style... A special feature here is the "French window". Although in fact this is a door made with an openwork lattice design. To complement, flowers are used in hanging pots, wicker and wooden furniture.

Whatever design of the porch is chosen, it is important to remember the observance of construction technologies and the quality of materials. Provided these requirements are met, the porch will last a long time. And finally, I would like to post photos of various designs of porches for wooden, brick and other houses.

If the installation of a threshold on interior doors is made at will, then entrance doors are unthinkable without it.

Front door sill functions

The entrance door threshold has important functions. Without it, the door block will not be able to fulfill its purpose. These include:

• soundproofing;
• thermal insulation;
• protection from dirt and dust;
• providing additional security;
• decorative function.

The door threshold protects the room from noise, dust and cold that can enter the room from the street. Thanks to him, the door leaf fits snugly to the frame, providing reliable sealing and protection against burglaries. In addition, the sill decorates the exterior of the house if it is made in the form of an extension of the steps in front of the front door. And indoors, it will create harmony if it is one piece with the flooring of the room.

Nut selection

As a rule, a threshold for an entrance door is supplied complete with the frame and represents its lower horizontal strip. Therefore, what it will be made of depends on the material of the door. Often, together with the sill, a platform is installed at the same level, the width of which must be sufficient to put a foot on it.

When choosing a threshold, keep in mind that it is constantly physically affected, therefore it must be strong and reliable, withstand constant external influences, such as dirt and the weight of people standing on it.

Plastic thresholds are the least durable, so they are rarely used for entrance doors. If you want to install a wooden sill, then you need to choose a hard wood, such as oak. The wooden threshold will need regular maintenance: it needs to be painted or varnished to prolong its life.

A metal or concrete threshold is preferable, it is reliable and has a long service life. Metal doors usually come with metal doors. They are widely used for city apartments. Concrete is a common practice for private and country houses.

Installing a threshold on the front door

If the threshold comes complete with a door frame, then it is installed in place with it. Installation of a separately purchased door sill is performed additionally after the door is installed.

When setting the threshold, you need to take into account that its height should not exceed 30 millimeters. This recommendation is explained by the convenience and safety of using the door. In some cases, its height is mixed or increased in order to achieve the desired appearance.

How to make a threshold of an entrance door from a tree will tell the instructions.

1. Cutting the threshold to the dimensions of the opening.
2. Drilling holes for self-tapping screws.
3. Fastening to screws or nails according to the level.
4. Covering the threshold with varnish or paint.

In order for the threshold to hold better, experts recommend making it slightly wider than the doorway. And at the bottom of the box under it, cuts should be made to the height of the threshold, into which the product is inserted.

Before attaching the threshold, attach it in place and check the door operation. It should open and close freely, and its lower part should fit snugly against the ledge.

The device of a concrete threshold is different from a wooden one. To install it, you need to follow these steps.

1. Preparation of the installation site, cleaning from dirt and dust, leveling the surface.
2. Surface treatment with a primer.
3. Leveling the formwork.
4. Preparation of the solution. For this, it is recommended to use special mixtures to which additives have been added for their elasticity and frost resistance.
5. Pouring the mixture into the formwork.

After the mortar has dried, the formwork can be removed. To increase the strength of the product, it is moistened with water for several days after pouring. After final drying, a decorative finish is carried out.

Often, after installing the sill, gaps and gaps remain between it and the floor. They are sealed with putty, and after it dries, they are putty with silicone putty, which will prevent cracking.

Sill trim

Setting the threshold is usually not limited to. After installation, you need to start finishing, which will make the front door more attractive.

If for a wooden one everything ends with painting or varnishing, then you can finish the concrete threshold of the entrance door with tiles, linoleum or other materials. Finishing is usually done with the same material as the floor. To prevent chipping, an aluminum corner can be attached to the threshold.

Knowing about the important role of thresholds on entrance doors, you will be responsible for their selection and installation. The independent device and finishing of the nut is not difficult, so it is easy to cope with it on your own.

If the morning begins with coffee, then the evening is on the doorstep. Crossing this part of the door, we get home, where we can rest after a hard day at work. It is the threshold that meets our guests and takes us for a walk. But no one thinks about the importance of this element of the front door and does not know how important it is to correctly install it.

Why do you need a threshold?

It may seem to some that the threshold only spoils the appearance of the front door and it is better to abolish this part of the structure. At the same time, the threshold creates a microclimate in the house and quietly takes care of all household members.

Door sill functions:

• Sound and noise insulation. Due to the complete sealing of the door, sound insulation is achieved. You do not hear the neighbors, and they do not hear you. This effect cannot be achieved without a threshold;
• Thermal insulation. The first sign of wear or improper installation of the entrance door threshold is a draft in the corridor;
• The threshold does not allow odors from the entrance to the apartment. Just imagine what your life would turn into if you “smell” everything that happens outside the apartment;
• Support for the door. The threshold is a component of the door frame. The integrity of this structure ensures the durability and reliability of the front door;
• The threshold can also serve as a decorative element of the interior if it is decorated in a non-standard way.

Externally, the threshold is a small ledge. Height varies from 2 to 10 centimeters, but cannot be less. This is to prevent the rug from protruding beyond it. Before setting the threshold, think about what material you want to make it from. It is also important to consider several types of design (yes, there can be an interesting design at the doorstep too). Next, we will tell you in more detail about all the nuances of installing an entrance door sill.

Types of door sills

Entrance metal door laths can be very different. Thresholds are distinguished not only by size, but also by the material from which they are made. Divide thresholds from:

• Concrete;
• Wood;
• Aluminum;
• Plastic (PVC);
• Stone.

More often the material is chosen according to the principle: "What the door is made of, that is the threshold." But variations are acceptable. For example, you can make stone slopes and thresholds and decorate the part of the wall adjacent to the door. A concrete threshold is acceptable as a base or finishing element of decor.

The most popular material for the threshold is wood. However, like plastic, wood is not durable. It is unstable to moisture, prone to swelling and deformation for various reasons.

The most reliable material for making a threshold for an entrance door is concrete. It will serve you for several decades without losing its original properties. An order of magnitude more than the usual wooden threshold.

There are two directions in design: overstatement and understatement of the threshold. The first type of design of the entrance area is also accompanied by an increase in the area of ​​the step. As a rule, such a threshold is made of concrete. It merges with the walls and creates a kind of "niche" in the doorway. Both graphic, square design and oval shapes are allowed. In the future, the increased threshold, if desired, can be sheathed with laminate, stone or any other material that suits the overall interior design.

The lowered threshold is preferred by adherents of minimalism in design. From a practical point of view, it is less convenient to operate than the enlarged one. It is easy to stumble over it, as it is not conspicuous. The second drawback is the complexity of organizing the complete sealing of the door. It is necessary to very accurately select the size of the door leaf in order to avoid drafts. Otherwise, the lowered threshold meets all the requirements: it performs a supporting function and does not irritate the tenants of the apartment with its pretentiousness.

Preparatory work

If an old one is currently standing in the place of the future door, then it must be dismantled. When replacing only the lower part of the door frame, only the sill is removed. It is especially easy to remove the threshold if it is made of wood. For this, ordinary scrap is used. In some cases, you may need a screwdriver.

When the threshold is removed, thoroughly clean the entire surface: use a brush to remove any remaining trim and coarse debris, and then vacuum the floor with a construction vacuum cleaner to ensure that no dust gets into your eyes.

At this stage, pay attention to the size of the gap between the door leaf and the floor. The height of the future threshold will depend on this factor. But do not be upset if the size of the gap "prevents" you from realizing the conceived design. The gap can always be reduced with plaster and trowel. But with the lack of centimeters, you will have to fight only by completely rearranging the door and chipping the upper part of the opening with a puncher.

Check to see if your chosen threshold is the right size. Place it on the floor and try to close the door. Consider also the fact that when using glue mixtures, the threshold level can rise by 1-2 mm.

Installing a concrete threshold: step by step instructions

A concrete threshold is more suitable for private houses, as it is formed during the construction phase of concrete or stone steps. However, it does not have to be cumbersome, so a simplified version is quite suitable for an apartment. It turns out that the concrete threshold must be installed before installing the door.

The formation of a concrete threshold is impossible without a reinforcing structure. To create it, you can use an aluminum profile (it will give the threshold a shape) and any other reinforcing element for stronger adhesion of the solution inside the structure.

Of the tools, you must definitely prepare:

• Putty knife;
• Perforator;
• Building level;
• Formwork;
• Deep penetration primer;
• Sand concrete;
• Water;
• Mixing container;
• Construction mixer.

Now let's move on to the instructions. So, how to form a concrete threshold.

Step # 1: surface preparation. Clear the place of the future threshold from debris. If the surface is deformed (cracked or chipped), treat it with concrete and level it. When the mortar is completely dry, treat the entire surface with a deep penetrating primer to achieve better adhesion.

Step # 2: forming the formwork. For this operation we need boards. Calculate strictly the height of the future threshold. To do this, measure the door and set the level at which the door leaf will be after installing the door. At this stage, the main task is to make the correct calculations in order to achieve complete sealing of the door. Otherwise, the owner of the house will risk making friends with extraneous odors, noise and draft.

Step number 3: work with mixtures. Today, you can choose to buy a ready-made concrete mixture or compose it yourself. To do this, in a ratio of 1 to 4, sand is mixed with cement of the M400 brand. Adding gypsum is acceptable, but then you will need to work with the mixture very quickly. This option is only suitable for professionals. Remember: concrete doesn't like water. If there is too much water, it will separate from the solution and "float", forming a small swamp on the step. This is not at all disastrous, but the drying time will be significantly increased.

Step # 4: additional surface preparation. Use a puncher to make holes in the floor at the place of the future threshold. This will provide additional fixation and improve the adhesion of the mortar to the surface.

Step 5: fill. Pour the ready-made concrete mortar into the formwork and level the surface with a building level. It is generally accepted that at this stage it is better to use a wide spatula. However, practice has shown that the level will still have to re-level the surface after the spatula. As a result, both tools will be dirty and twice as long.

Step 6: facing. After the surface has completely dried (it should take about a day), you can start facing the threshold. A variety of materials are suitable for this: tiles, porcelain stoneware, stone or laminate. The choice depends only on your imagination, interior design and financial capabilities. Most often, the threshold is sheathed with the same material that fits on the floor.

Installing a wooden threshold: step by step instructions

A wooden threshold is installed faster and easier than a concrete one. It is great if you do not have a large gap between the door leaf and the floor, or you do not want to spend a lot of time and money on the design of the doorway.

For the manufacture of a wooden threshold, a massive board or a narrow beam of oak, larch, beech or birch is used. A budget pine is hardly suitable for making a threshold - it is too soft and very quickly loses its original appearance and “shrinks”.

Before installing the wooden threshold, prepare the following tools:

• Board or timber;
• Saw, hammer and nails of a suitable size;
• Level or construction plumb line;
• Grinder or coarse sandpaper;
• Paint or varnish with which you will cover the finished threshold.

Now that all the tools are ready, you can get to work.

Step number 1: preparatory work. Prepare the surface for installation according to the standard procedure. Remove dirt and debris.

Step # 2: fit. If initially you were not able to acquire a threshold of the strictly required size, cut off the excess. Place the board against the doorway and measure the width that is optimal to form a strong joint. Saw the board off to measure. For additional reliability, you can make cuts in the side parts of the door (important for wooden doors) and insert the board into the groove.

Step # 3: installation. Insert the board into the grooves you made earlier. Place marks on the board every 10-15 centimeters. In place of the marks, drill holes for driving in nails or insert dowels. Use a level to check if the threshold is even. Fix the threshold with nails or self-tapping screws.

Step # 4: decorate. The wooden threshold can be stained, painted or varnished. There are also special impregnations that increase the resistance of wood to moisture and burnout. This stage should be given special attention, because it depends on how long the wooden threshold will retain its original appearance.

Installation of a threshold with a platform

A threshold with a platform is nothing more than an ordinary concrete threshold, increased in size. Its width can be up to 100 centimeters. Much depends on the area of ​​the hallway and the financial capabilities of the home owners. To install the threshold, formwork is constructed and reinforcing elements are used. After the threshold is decorated with tiles, porcelain stoneware, liquid floor or mosaic. Less popular materials such as laminate and linoleum. Spotlights can be "drowned" along the perimeter, hiding the wiring and the housing under the concrete. It is not very practical, but it will cause a storm of emotions among the guests. Externally, a threshold with a platform may look like a podium. They are convenient to use and pleasant to look at. The threshold with the platform speaks of respectability and the first steps into the house impresses guests.

Non-standard types of threshold decoration

In addition to the tiles and laminate we are accustomed to, completely unexpected materials can be used in the course of decoration. For example, there have been cases of decorating a threshold with pebbles, old coins and tree trunks. They do not hesitate to use commemorative broken porcelain dishes. Decorative elements can be attached both after the concrete has dried on an adhesive base, or immersed in still uncured concrete.

Not everyone will be able to decide on such a step in their home. It is especially necessary to understand that creativity requires from the performer not only a rich imagination, but also a "full" hand.

Any experiments with the interior, bold and not very much, should be successfully performed. If you are not one hundred percent sure of your competence, do not risk it. The specialists of the Guardian company will help in setting the threshold of any complexity. At the same time, you will save valuable time and get exactly the result you expected.

The front door should not only reliably protect the home from unwanted intrusion, but also neatly fit into the surrounding interior. A weak point in the installation of a metal entrance door, which you need to think about even before its installation, may be the bottom of the door, namely its threshold.

Why is it important to think about the threshold of the front door in advance

Let's take a look at a good, standard front door. I will not describe it in detail, you can see it here: http://dveriguardian.ru, on the manufacturer's website. Let me remind you that the structure of the entrance door is a massive metal frame with a thickness of about 60 mm in the wide part of the narthex. This height will be the estimated height of the entrance door threshold, which can increase and decrease depending on the type of house and the installation method.

The relationship between threshold and floor level

As a rule, the entrance door is installed first before the start of the renovation. And that can be a problem. Let me explain why.

The threshold of the entrance door, or rather, its upper level, will determine the upper level of the finished floor. If you put the front door before renovation and, as a result, before measuring the floor level, it may turn out that the threshold will be lower than the floor level after leveling the floors.

Therefore, at the time of installing the front door, you must know the upper level of the finished floor in the apartment. Telling it to the front door installers will help protect yourself from floor level problems.

Houses with different floor levels

There are houses in which the level of the floor on the site does not coincide with the level of the subfloor in the apartment. In such a situation, you find yourself in a different situation. The front door opens, according to the rules, outward. This means that the width of the front door frame will be smaller outside the apartment, this is how the porch of the door is arranged.

If the floor on the site is below the floor level in the apartment, then it turns out that during installation the door will have to be lifted, which will increase the already planned threshold inside the apartment.

I want to note that all these nuances with levels and thresholds are of little concern to installers (although not all) and problems with floor levels emerge much later after installing the front door. You have to be ready for them.

Remembering all of the above, most often from the side of the apartment (hallway), it turns out the threshold. The highest class of finishers will be a preliminary calculation of all the nuances of repair, which will bring this threshold closer to the zero level. This is what we should strive for. If the threshold has turned out, you can arrange the threshold as follows:

• The height of the threshold is close to the width of the skirting board. We close the box of the entrance door with a plinth.
• The door is raised and the threshold is high. You can finish the threshold with floor tiles. This technique is especially relevant if the floor in the hallway was tiled.
• Rarely, but occurs, a very high threshold situation. In this case, the option of an additional board is thought out, which is usually used to add the thickness of the opening. The additional board can be replaced with any wide decorative panel that matches the design of the hallway furniture.

When the opening of the front door has already been installed, and the door is almost ready to perform its functions, there is very little left - to equip the threshold correctly and efficiently. In addition, thresholds are also installed for interior passages, and in order for all the processes to be done by hand, it is necessary to study all the features of installation. Today I will tell you how to make doors with a threshold yourself in an apartment and with your own hands.

Types and features

Since the threshold is an important element that is constantly subjected to mechanical stress, it should be chosen according to the type of room and its use. Tracks are usually installed as needed, but there are places where they must be required. These places are:

• Entrance doors
• Balcony
• Bathroom

Important! Doors with a threshold to the balcony can be installed either using standard crossbars, or using an additional layer of thermal insulation and elevation with brick or concrete.

As a beginner, it was not immediately clear to me why the mandatory installation of thresholds was necessary, and therefore I began to revise various sources and, in addition, asked for help from my friend, the master, who willingly told me about the functions that the threshold of the front door can perform. I decided to compile a small table about their types and functions:

Views	Functions
From wood - it is better to use durable wear-resistant types. Oak has these properties.	Sound insulation - if a sealing rubber is also installed along with the door sill
Plastic is the most affordable option. It is better to choose the material thick and be resistant to ultraviolet light	Thermal insulation - plays the role of an obstacle to the ingress of cold into the house and drafts
Made of metal - they are the strongest and most durable, but they do not always fit into the overall look	The perimeter design creates an attractive appearance for the doorway
Made of stone - can be used as a threshold for entrance and balcony doors	Security
	Separation of space - most often used with different floor coverings and as a carpet holder

Nuances to consider

Before you make the threshold of the front door, you should not only choose the material from which it will be built, but learn about some of the features. To begin with, I want to say that the standards for the height of the entrance threshold are 30 mm. However, in some cases it may be slightly lower or higher.

Important! It should be borne in mind that a high threshold can create discomfort for apartment residents. Therefore, a suitable height should be considered before starting the installation.

It also happens that, together with the threshold, the platform is equipped, this is used to expand the area on which a person will step. Such a site is made by arranging formwork and pouring concrete. In the future, such a threshold can be finished with tiles and thereby make it more stable and durable. Since the thresholds can be made from different materials, I decided to describe each type. Thanks to this, you will have the opportunity to choose the most optimal one for your front door. Before making a threshold, carry out preparations, which consists in dismantling old materials and cleaning up dust and dirt in the places where the new half-horn is installed.

Do it yourself

If you decide that the threshold of your apartment will be made of wood, then you will need the following tools:

• Hammer and nails
• Sander

Since the material is not so wear-resistant, it is necessary to immediately think about the subsequent finishing with the help of impregnations, varnishes and varnishes. Follow this plan if you decide to make the threshold for the apartment yourself:

1. Make the necessary measurements and prepare the boards, if necessary, by sawing them into the desired pieces
2. Use sawing to make grooves - their height is equal to the height of the new threshold for the apartment
3. Make markings and leave marks every 10 cm - then drill out the bases for the nails
4. Check the horizontalness of the base using a spirit level.
5. Secure the threshold using screws or nails
6. Carry out decorative work and cover the wood with varnish or paint of the desired color.

Important! If you purchased a ready-made threshold, then you just need to install it using fasteners.

Concrete thresholds require more careful preparation and some skill, because for them it is necessary to equip the formwork, into which concrete is later poured. This option is most often used in private houses, not apartments. For this process, you will need:

1. Concrete mortar
2. Formwork
3. Primer
4. Spatulas
5. Building ruler and level

After cleaning the site from dust and dirt, it is necessary to treat the surface with a soil solution. After it dries, the formwork should be made. When it is ready, the concrete mix is ​​diluted and poured to a certain level. Remember that in the end, the door should be in full contact with the threshold, so think about finishing the concrete structure in advance.

Threshold-guillotine - what is it?

Such a sill is a mechanism that, when the door is open, goes down and does not interfere with normal movement. With its help, you do not need to constantly raise your legs when entering the apartment. This is very convenient, because remember how many times you accidentally stumbled, forgetting to lift or raising your leg to a lower height?

The guillotine has several advantages that make it very popular and in demand in the world of rapids:

• The seal has a very good stroke, allowing it to hide significant gaps
• Acceptable cost
• Easy installation and replacement
• Such a threshold has a long service life - 200-250 thousand openings.
• Excellent insulation and sound insulation performance

The decoration of the entrance to the apartment can be varied and is carried out strictly according to your taste preferences. Someone uses tiles, someone likes coloring, and someone deciding to save money uses the usual decoration with linoleum. In any case, the finishing should be of high quality and fit into the overall interior of the room. The functionality of the threshold and its appearance can not only protect the interior from the cold, but also complement the appearance of the room somewhere.