Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 04:02am | #1

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   You need a retractable door bottom. They come in two styles surface mount and one that dados in. When the door closes a pin hits a strike and the weather stripping drops to the floor I have used them many times on French doors on tile floors. Ask at a good hardware store and they should be able to order them for you.

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   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 11:21pm | #2

   *Two things to watch for: these mechanisms can become gummed up with dirt, get a good one; water infiltration, make sure wind-driven rain can't get through ... mere slope won't stop it. both from personal experience :)

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   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 09:01am | #3

   *Andrew;I had a real problem with an entry that was hammered by wind driven rain. Fixed it with a threshold that had a built in weep system: any rain that got past, fell into a channel that drained back out.I also installed a retractable threshold.I used a PEMCO. They have a spectrum of models. Some mount in a rabbet on the bottom. Commercial model is 31/32 wide. A residential version is 9/16. The commercial model has a much more agressive seal, and I recommend it. (I believe you need around a 2" deep rabbet) They also have ones that mount on the outside.Keep in mind that there is a small section which will not have any seal.(1/8 inch or so, where the mechanism ends at the end of the door) Without a threshold, you may have a problem.PEMCO is in southern CA. They have some excellent weatherstrip/smoke seal/heat seal and sound sealing products.

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   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 09:43am | #4

   *Retractable threshold? Not getting a mental picture. Pemko does appear to be high qulaity -- do I recall also high price?

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   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 10:38am | #5

   *Andrew and Andrew;Retractable works as follows:there is a "pin" which sticks out from the side of the threshold. When the door is closed, the jamb which faces the door edge (at the hinge side) compresses the pin. The pin moves about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. This motion which drives alongs the width of the door, is converted into a downward pressure (wedge type mechanism) which pushes the seal down.(Damn. This is a 20 second sketch on a napkin. )Adjust the force by screwing the pin in or out. Takes up wear over the years.Yep. It is a little pricey, but its better that getting called back to redo hardwood floors due to water damage each year. Around $70-80. Installation in an existing door is an absolute bitch. Try rabbeting a 1" by 2" slot in the bottom of a 8foot Oak door with glass. Make certain you reseal the bottom once the woodwork is done. Part of the slot will be exposed to weather.

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   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 08:58pm | #6

   *Hmmm ... I'd call that a "retractable sweep" Too picky? I've seen these used for soundproofing interior doors in nicer offices a lot.I installed a dadoed sweep in the bottom of an exterior door; it can be adjusted and tweaked for wear and uneven thresholds. I used a router with an edge guide -- but fir is a lot easier than oak! Maybe a circular saw could be used to loosen it up?Pemko has a sweep/threshold combo that interlocks so as to be essentially waterproof. Quite expensive, but solid brass and nice-looking enough.

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   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 11:43pm | #8

   *AndrewYou're right. It is a retractable sweep...I never liked the interlocking stuff. Too finicky with alignment. IMHO, it also does leak air and isn't as effective as the rubber/silicone seals.A

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   Andrew_J._Meyer | May 03, 1999 11:43pm | #7

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   I'm building exterior french doors for a home I'm building. I heard in passing about hardware that is, in essence, a retractable sweep that elliminates the usual raised threshold. I'm striving for a seamless transition from indoors to outside. Is anyone aware of this or similar, hardware? I need a source contact.