Thresholds

Thresholds are planes that join the jambs of a door or patio door to the floor level, marking the border between the outside and the inside of a space. In addition to having a functional appearance, they can enhance the rooms and the surrounding space: for this reason, they should be chosen carefully according to the style of the building.

There are different types of materials suitable for making thresholds, but the best are the stone ones such as marble, granite, and terrazzo as they meet the need for practicality, strength, durability and at the same time meet a certain stylistic desire and aesthetic.

In addition to distinguishing by use, for French windows or doors,thresholds are divided into two types: interior and exterior.

Exterior thresholds: features and finishes

Outdoor ones are placed on the perimeter of the house and act as a junction between the outside and the inside. They are often located slightly higher than the outside floor so as to avoid the possibility of letting water into the interior of the house.

Machining is applied to exterior thresholds for the visible parts, i.e., the rib and the flaps.  When selecting the top finish of an exterior threshold, it is important to keep in mind that if the threshold is fully exposed to water and weathering in general, it is advisable to use a rough top (saw top, flamed top) to avoid possible slipping.

Internal thresholds

In contrast, interior thresholds are located on the door jambs inside the building and are placed at the same level as the floor, acting as a junction between the floors of different rooms.

For this type of thresholds, machining of the ribs and heads is not needed: since only the top is visible, it can have a smoother finish (polished, honed, brushed top).