Replacing a 70-Year Old Door Sill

Our door sill was was really old and falling apart. I couldn't find very many videos online about this, so I decided to make my own video. It's my first time trying something like this, so here goes!

[@matthewlong1199]

Thanks for making this video. I am almost in the exact same boat as you (down to a rotted wooden threshold with the metal/rubber weatherstripping on top) and needed to replace my backdoor threshold. Your video is helping me feel more confident about tackling this project on my own.

[@PhilsDIY]

Good luck! I hope you get it done without too much hassle!

[@steveoutdoorsuk1788]

Hello Phil, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. All the best. Take care, Steve. 👍👍

[@sleep-escapeyourmind8759]

Nice video! You were the only one that actually replaced the door sill! Thank you so much, now I know what I have to do to mine.

[@PhilsDIY]

Thanks! Glad I could help. Good luck with yours!

[@tomdale1313]

your skill level is good for the results you achieve, but your not afraid to tackle any needed task...tanks for sharing

[@PhilsDIY]

Thank you!

[@jj022]

Thanks!

[@VineyardFX]

Nice video. Just finished doing this same project on our 100 year old back door. I am not shilling for Ace Hardware but thought folks might like to know their store brand wood filler was a pleasant surprise and not too expensive. Some of the well known names seemed awfully "grainy" to me. The Ace stuff was smooth, set up fast and was easily sanded. I am still deciding how to fill the voids at the ends of the sill. Once again, thanks for your video on a common problem!

[@PhilsDIY]

Hi Tom, Thanks for the comments! I'll definitely keep in mind the Ace brand wood filler for future reference!

[@sandysue202]

Excellent job! You did a great job!!

[@PhilsDIY]

Thank you!

[@davida4802]

I just did the back door sill on my 90 year old house. The sill was rotting away on both sides. As I pulled it out it split in half lang ways. After getting the sill completely out I found that the wood under it was rotted out by termites so I had to dig all of that out too. Then I found that the sill had been modifies to fit cleanly under the flooring so I had to do that as well. After two trips to Home Depot and an entire day of working on it I finally finished the job. Just a short story to make you all aware that a seemingly simple job might raise more work than you might have planned for. Just an fyi, I did use treated wood under the new sill to avoid the termite damage

[@PhilsDIY]

Holy cow! That's some major work! Yes, I have often had an otherwise simple thing blow up into a major thing, with multiple trips to HD. Thanks for sharing your story - you should have shot some video footage! 😀 Glad you were able to finish it in a day!

[@davida4802]

@@PhilsDIY Thanks, my body is feeling the effects of all that awkward positioning I had to do...thank God for Advil!

[@leestebbins5051]

Only two trips to Home Depot makes you a pro.

[@vapeurdepisse]

Wow 100 year old house here, I have a feeling I'm in for some surprises.

[@davetuscano5939]

👍 good job

[@Guardducks]

Love them Ryobi tools, use them myself. And the work bench thing, i have one and all it's used for is to hold junk on it really never gets used for work. Nice work. 👍🏼

[@PhilsDIY]

Thanks! And yes, i can relate - but my problem is i don't have space for a bench in my garage!

[@colinmcinnis3999]

Good job! As a carpenter in historic renovation, you did well, especially for your first time!

[@PhilsDIY]

Thanks for the kind words! Means a lot to me!

[@colinmcinnis3999]

The only thing I would ensure is that you use some clear (or whatever color) caulking to seal along the underside of the sill to prevent water (or insects) from wicking up under the sill. I'll be subscribing!

[@Astrnauted]

@@colinmcinnis3999 I usually use a vapor barrier instead if it’s a raised threshold like this because like a stand up shower door the bottom channel works better and has the wood last longer if it works as a drainage channel. With that being said before setting my sill I’d put a decent bead of caulking along the top seams and sides

[@dollyhadbraces9361]

@@colinmcinnis3999 good tip , thanks

[@karenvh5486]

Thanks have a 72 year old door sill to replace as well. This helps in ideas of what to expect and how to possible address any issues.

[@PhilsDIY]

Good luck with your project! And thanks for watching!

[@hepburn118]

Ok Phil, I was going to use wood hardener and wood filler on my rotten sills but you have inspired me to replace the rotten wood completely. If it all goes pear shaped, you're going to hear about it!!

[@PhilsDIY]

Well, have you done it yet? Curious...

[@joaquinsuarez6090]

Good job. Question: why you didn't replace the aluminum treshold piece for a bigger one once you were working on it? It would look nicer than the antique narrow one you have.

[@PhilsDIY]

Actually that threshold was not that old - only a few years old! The rubber was still in good shape so I figured I'd just keep it. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@ThePatriotSon]

Where did you purchase the new sill board?

[@PhilsDIY]

I think it was from Van Nuys Lumber, but that place is actually in Chatsworth (CA)

[@apezeroviking]

Nice job. Where the heck did you get that oak door sill board? I can’t find them anywhere! 🤔

[@PhilsDIY]

I think it was from Van Nuys Lumber, but that place is actually in Chatsworth (CA)

[@dollyhadbraces9361]

@@PhilsDIY Van Nuys home of the original OG kush

[@klattson112]

How would you secure a sill (aluminum) when it's leading to a concrete garage floor?

[@PhilsDIY]

I would use a Tapcon screw or similar, for going into concrete. I would probably drill a hole one size smaller to make driving the screw easier.

[@barbaraferron7994]

What did you seal the wood with?

[@PhilsDIY]

Behr Premium Transparent Waterproofing Wood Finish (Acrylic). Image at 8:46 in the video.

[@mikepatterson57]

That Much Wood Filler , Will Creak Up In Time!!! Peace;-)))

[@ouijawatch]

How do weatherstrip the bottom of exterior door if the floor is sloped?

[@PhilsDIY]

The weather strip goes on the part of the sill that is not sloped. The taper on the door sill does not start until about 2 inches from the inside edge, and just at the edge of where the weather strip goes, then it's slightly sloped down. The slope is on the part that's outside the door.

[@vapeurdepisse]

Mine ia 5/4 thick and I'm looking for an artificial product, easier said than done.

[@williamjameson2961]

Where di you get the sill ? also what is the width of the sill ?

[@PhilsDIY]

I think it was Van Nuys Lumber. Width is 7-1/4 or 7-1/2" Don't remember exactly. I believe door sills are pretty much standard size, and cut to lengths that allow you to trim the ends to fit the doorway, and should be available at any big lumber yard. Home Depot or Lowes didn't have it.

[@timm7885]

You deserve a workbench and an oscillating tool!

[@PhilsDIY]

Tim - Thanks for the comment! Coincidentally, I just got an oscillating tool, a Dewalt 32 inch metal sawhorse, *and* a router! Working on a couple more videos using these. Stay tuned!

[@ieatwiteoutforfun]

Are you worried about lead paint when removing that?

[@PhilsDIY]

Didn't even enter my mind. Such a small area i don't think there would have been any danger.

[@pietropie]

Please, next time clean the termite droppings before trying to remove the sill 🙂

[@PhilsDIY]

I cleaned it up after, because I figured why do double clean up since there was probably more under the sill!

[@EricSanchez-ds3yu]

I wish you used a shop vac to suck out all that scum

[@PhilsDIY]

LOL I only used the vacuum to get the last bits that I couldn't sweep up. Most of it I just swept up and went straight to the trash bin. I figure stuff like this I'd like to handle just once and done - but if I use a shop vac I then have to empty that out and clean out the filter bag. I know, I have my weird habits. Thanks for watching!

[@JoseMartinez-vl5zw]

those threshold screws came off way too easily for being a 70-yr old door sill....come clean now

[@PhilsDIY]

LOL - that threshold was only a few years old - no bearing on how old that sill was!

[@bysykler4959]

That’s the wrong saw. Buy yourself a good oscillating saw. Thank me later.

[@phillipkwon6032]

Matter of fact, I did indeed buy an oscilating saw not too long after this video was made! Along with a grinder. My tool collection just continues to grow... Thanks for your tip!

[@margomcdaniel5445]

Some gloves too

[@rddcmats]

You need a microphone

[@annanicole1717]

Aren’t you afraid of insects and spiders?? Yikes!

[@PhilsDIY]

Only when they jump on me without warning! Hahaha! 🤪

[@samcarter5371]

Oh my God! Clean up the termite crap.

[@PhilsDIY]

Yep, there was a good amount! You did see that it did get cleaned up later in the video right? During the dry fit, and then later before the final install of the new piece, there's a close up of some of the damaged wood that I had to patch up before setting the new piece into place. Thanks for watching! Don't forget to subscribe!

[@TheSeriesofTubes]

Well it probably works but looks like shit, definitely a homeowner diy. If you’re ever interested in doing it the right way, pull the jamb and sill and cut back the stucco. Flash the sill, replace the sill, install the frame, hang the door and trim the door flush with your stucco cut line.

[@PhilsDIY]

You might know what you're doing but my videos are not what's the best way to do something - just how I did that something. You might think it looks bad (not stooping to your language) but it looks great to me.

[@annanicole1717]

Aren’t you afraid of insects and spiders?? Yikes!

[@PhilsDIY]

Only when they jump on me without warning! LOL