Floor-anchored across full door opening
ANSI/BHMA A156.21 · ADA §404.2.5 · NFPA 80
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A threshold, also called a saddle, is the metal strip that sits on the floor under a door. It bridges the gap between two floor surfaces. It seals out water, drafts, dust, and pests. It also gives a gasket or door sweep something to press against. A threshold ramp adds a gentle slope where the floor height changes. This helps wheelchairs, carts, and walkers cross without a bump. In a busy commercial building, the right threshold keeps each entry safe, sealed, and fully ADA compliant.
Blocks rain, wind, and drafts at the door bottom, which helps cut heating and cooling costs.
Keeps rise at or under 1/2 inch with beveled edges, so wheelchairs and carts roll through.
Covers uneven floor joints and worn, loose edges that cause trips, falls, and costly liability claims.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. installs and repairs commercial door hardware across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Our team fits thresholds, saddles, and ramps for offices, schools, clinics, hotels, and government sites. We measure each opening, check the floor, and match the threshold to your door, seals, and code needs. We work around your business hours to keep entries open. Whether you need one door or a full building or campus, we can help.
Not every threshold fits every door. The right choice depends on floor height, traffic, weather, fire rating, and access needs. Use these five points to narrow down your options before our team visits your site.
Start by measuring the gap between the door bottom and the floor on each side. Floors often sit at two levels, like tile inside and concrete outside. The threshold must bridge that change without a sharp lip.
Flat saddles work for small gaps. Taller changes may need a bumper, half-saddle, or ramp threshold. ADA rules say most thresholds should rise no more than 1/2 inch, and any part over 1/4 inch needs a 1:2 bevel.
Aluminum is the most common choice. It is light, rust-proof, and fits most budgets. Mill finish works for back doors, while clear or dark bronze anodized finishes suit front entries and lobbies.
For heavy carts, hospital beds, or loading areas, choose a heavy-duty aluminum saddle or a bronze or stainless steel model. Fluted tops add grip. Wet or icy entries also benefit from abrasive, non-slip inserts. We help you balance cost, looks, and service life.
Exterior doors often need more than a flat metal plate. A thermal-break threshold stops cold from passing through the metal. A threshold with a vinyl insert grips the door bottom to form a tight seal.
For doors that face driving rain, pair the threshold with a door sweep and a drip cap above. Saddles should also be set in sealant so water cannot seep underneath. This simple step prevents rot, mold, and costly floor damage.
Fire-rated doors follow strict rules. NFPA 80 limits the gap under the door, so the saddle height can decide whether the door passes inspection. Choose a metal threshold that suits the door, frame, and fire label.
Public entries must also meet ADA and ICC A117.1 rules. That means a low rise, beveled edges, and a smooth path. Fire doors in Maryland, DC, and Virginia need yearly inspections, and we install with those checks in mind.
A standard saddle cannot fix every height change. When the step at a door is too tall, a threshold ramp creates a smooth slope. Modular aluminum ramps come in set heights and bolt to the floor.
Ramps help people in wheelchairs, staff with carts, and guests with rolling bags. For code use, a ramp slope should be no steeper than 1:12 in most cases. We measure first so the ramp fits right the first time.
Some buildings use rubber or vinyl transition strips instead of a metal threshold. They cost less up front, but they fall short at busy commercial doors. Here’s how they compare.
Consideration
Door Threshold
Rubber Transition Strip
Aluminum stands up to carts and heavy traffic
Rubber tears, curls, and wears out quickly
Works with sweeps to block water, drafts
Leaves gaps where water and air leak
Beveled profiles meet ADA height and slope rules
Soft edges can curl into trip hazards
Noncombustible metal suits rated openings
Combustible materials may not suit rated doors
Lasts years with little upkeep or repair
Frequent replacement adds up over time
Thresholds take a beating every day. Feet, carts, weather, and building movement wear them down. Watch for these signs, since a small floor problem can become a real safety risk.
We install new aluminum, bronze, or stainless thresholds sized to your exact opening, floor, and door hardware.
We remove worn, cracked, or loose saddles and fit a sturdy new one set in fresh sealant.
We supply and install threshold ramps that smooth out height changes for wheelchairs, walkers, carts, and strollers.
We add thermal-break thresholds, vinyl inserts, and door sweeps to stop drafts, water, and pests at entries.
We fit code-compliant thresholds on fire-rated openings and correct under-door gaps that fail annual NFPA 80 inspections.
We tighten, re-anchor, and reseal loose, rocking thresholds so they stay flat, quiet, and safe to cross.
Tell us about your doors, and we’ll measure, recommend, and install the right threshold, saddle, or ramp across the DMV.
