Exterior Inswing and Outswing Door Thresholds: A Complete Guide

A properly sealed exterior door starts at the bottom. Exterior door thresholds play an important role in helping protect your home from drafts, moisture, and everyday wear. At Hartford Building Products, we offer high-quality exterior inswing and outswing door thresholds, along with compatible threshold extenders, to help create a durable, weather-tight, and finished entryway.

Whether you are replacing an existing threshold or installing a new one, choosing the correct style, width, and extender option will help improve weather protection and ensure a proper fit.

What Is an Exterior Door Threshold?

An exterior door threshold is the base component installed at the bottom of an entry door opening. It helps seal the gap between the door and the floor while creating a smooth transition between the inside and outside of the building.

A quality threshold can help:

• Minimize drafts
• Reduce water infiltration
• Improve the performance of door sweeps and weatherstripping
• Create a clean, finished entryway
• Add durability to the bottom of the door opening

Our exterior door thresholds are designed with long-lasting materials that stand up to exterior conditions while providing a reliable sealing surface.

Inswing vs. Outswing Thresholds

Before selecting a threshold, it is important to know whether your exterior door is an inswing or outswing door.

Inswing thresholds are designed for doors that open into the building.

Outswing thresholds are designed for doors that open toward the outside.

Choosing the correct swing direction is essential for proper fit, drainage, and weather protection.

Measure Before You Order

Before selecting a threshold or extender, always measure your door opening width carefully. Thresholds are available in different widths and lengths, and choosing the correct size will help ensure a better installation.

Our thresholds are cut oversized to allow for a more accurate fit during installation. They can be trimmed down on site as needed.

Key Features of Our Exterior Door Thresholds

Composite Adjustable Cap

Each threshold includes a composite adjustable cap, which provides a stable top surface that can be fine-tuned during installation. The adjustable cap allows you to raise or lower the threshold surface so it properly meets the door’s bottom seal, helping create tighter weather protection.

Composite Base

The composite base is engineered to resist moisture, prevent rot, and withstand years of exterior use. This makes it a dependable choice for entry doors exposed to changing weather conditions.

Durable Aluminum Finish Options

Our thresholds are available in mill extruded aluminum, which has a silver appearance, or dark bronze anodized aluminum. Both finish options are designed to resist wear while providing a clean, professional look.

Why Choose These Exterior Door Thresholds?

These thresholds are built for performance, durability, and ease of installation.

They feature long-lasting materials, including a composite cap, composite base, and anodized aluminum components that resist moisture and wear. The adjustable cap helps improve the seal between the door and threshold, while the oversized cut allows for on-site trimming and a more customized fit.

When paired with proper door sweeps and weatherstripping, these thresholds can help reduce drafts and improve overall weather protection. With multiple size options available, they are suitable for many residential exterior door applications.

Available Inswing Threshold Options

Our inswing thresholds are designed for exterior doors that open into the building.

Available lengths:

• 36"
• 72"

Available widths:

• 4 9/16"
• 5 5/8"

Available finishes:

• Mill extruded aluminum, silver color
• Dark bronze anodized aluminum

Available configurations:

• 4 9/16" threshold with composite oak cap and composite base
• 5 5/8" threshold with composite oak cap and composite base

Available Outswing Threshold Options

Our outswing thresholds are designed for exterior doors that open toward the outside.

Available lengths:

• 36"
• 72"

Available width:   5 5/8"

Available finishes:

• Mill extruded aluminum, silver color
• Dark bronze anodized aluminum

Available configuration:  5 5/8" threshold with composite oak cap and composite base

What Are Threshold Extenders?

Threshold extenders are used to make an exterior door threshold wider. They attach to our compatible Endura thresholds to provide additional coverage when the door frame, jamb, or wall depth is deeper than the standard threshold width.

Threshold extenders help:

• Add extra width to the exterior door threshold
• Match deeper wall construction
• Bridge gaps between the threshold and jamb depth
• Create a clean, finished appearance
• Support a more complete seal at the entryway

If your doorway jambs are wider than the threshold width, a threshold extender can help fill the gap while maintaining a neat look and reliable seal.

Choosing the Right Threshold Extender

To choose the correct extender, first measure the width of your existing threshold from front to back. Then confirm whether your threshold is 4 9/16" or 5 5/8".

Always match the extender to the correct threshold width.

If you purchase a 4 9/16" door threshold, choose a 4 9/16" threshold extender.

If you purchase a 5 5/8" door threshold, choose a 5 5/8" threshold extender.

Our threshold extenders are only compatible with our Endura thresholds.

Threshold Extenders for 4 9/16" Thresholds

For our 4 9/16" thresholds, extenders are available in the following widths:

• 2" wide
• 3" wide

Available finishes:

• Mill aluminum, silver color
• Dark bronze

These extenders are designed to fit our 4 9/16" inswing thresholds only.

Threshold Extenders for 5 5/8" Thresholds

For our 5 5/8" thresholds, extenders are available in the following widths:

• 1 3/16"
• 2" wide
• 3" wide
• 4 3/8"
• 6 3/8"

Available finishes:

• Mill aluminum, silver color
• Dark bronze

These extenders fit our 5 5/8" inswing thresholds and also fit our 5 5/8" outswing thresholds.

When using threshold extenders with our 5 5/8" thresholds, you can achieve a total threshold width of up to 12".

Threshold Extender FAQ

What does a threshold extender do?
A threshold extender increases the overall width of your door threshold to better match wider door jambs or wall depths.

Will these threshold extenders fit all brands of thresholds?
No. Our threshold extenders are only compatible with our Endura thresholds.

How do I know which size I need?
Measure your current threshold from front to back. It should be either 4 9/16" or 5 5/8". Then choose the extender that matches your threshold width.

Are threshold extenders universal?
No. Threshold extenders must match the specific threshold width. Choose either a 4 9/16" extender or a 5 5/8" extender based on your threshold.

Why would I need a threshold extender?
You may need a threshold extender if your door jamb or wall depth is wider than the standard threshold. The extender helps fill the gap and provides a finished, sealed appearance.