Doors
Signs You Need a New Exterior Door (and When a New Threshold Is Enough)
Exterior doors wear out slowly: a little more draft each winter, a lock that takes a push, a threshold that feels soft. Some of that is a simple repair, like new weatherstripping or a threshold cap. Some of it means the door, the frame, or the sill underneath has reached the end of its life.
Key points
- Drafts, daylight around the edges, sticking, and a lock that will not line up are the common signs.
- A soft or rotted threshold and sill usually means water has been getting in for a while.
- Worn weatherstripping or a cracked threshold cap can be replaced; a rotted sill or warped door usually means a new unit.
- Sliding patio doors that drag on their track or fog between the glass are often worth replacing as a whole.
Signs a door needs attention
Any of these is worth a closer look:
- You feel a draft or see daylight around the edges when it is closed.
- It sticks, drags, or will not latch without a push.
- The threshold is cracked, loose, or soft underfoot.
- Water shows up on the floor inside after a storm.
- The door is warped, dented, or the finish keeps failing.
- On a slider: it drags on the track, or the glass fogs between the panes.
When a repair is enough
If the door and frame are solid, new weatherstripping, an adjusted strike plate, or a new threshold cap can bring it back. These are small jobs that make a big difference in drafts.
When it is time to replace
A soft, rotted sill means water has been getting under the door, and it often has damaged the framing below too. A warped door, a frame out of square, or a slider with failed glass seals usually costs more to fix than to replace. A new prehung door lets the opening be repaired, flashed, and sealed properly.
Patio and sliding doors
Sliding glass doors take a lot of use, and their rollers, tracks, and glass seals wear out. When the glass fogs or the frame is damaged, replacing the whole unit is usually the better value. Sliding doors open onto decks and patios at the level where rain hits hardest, so the sill flashing is critical.
Frequently asked questions
Can a threshold be replaced without replacing the door?
Often, yes, if the door and frame are in good shape and the sill underneath is solid.
Why does water come in under my door?
Usually a worn threshold or door sweep, or a sill that was never flashed. If the sill is soft, the water has been getting in for a while.
Is it worth replacing an old storm door?
If it no longer closes tightly or the frame is damaged, a new storm door adds a layer against wind and drafts at a modest cost.
Ready for a new exterior door?
Cedar House Carpentry handles door replacement across Cape Cod and the South Shore with our own in-house crew, fully licensed and insured.
See our Door Replacement work · Find your town · (774) 470-7150