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Right height for marble threshold?

16 years ago

Our contractor installed marble thresholds in two new baths adjoining bedrooms. However, we have stubbed our toes and tripped several times already when we entered the new bathrooms. Ouch! It seems to me that difference between the wooden bedroom floors and the marble threshold is too great, although it seems to be fine on the bathroom side of the threshold. I am worried that one of us is going to fall. We could probably train ourselves to step up, but I would worry about our guests. What is the appropriate height of a threshold?

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Comments (5)

bill_vincent
16 years ago
It should be about 3/8", give or take, above the face of the tile. Although many installers will set it up so as to be flush with the floors inside and out, that's actually incorrect. The whole reason marble thresholds were traditionally used in the first place were to act as a small dam, in case of things like the toilet backing up, or whatever. It's SUPPOSED to stick up.
mollyshumom
Original Author
16 years ago
The marble threshold is sticking up 1" above the floor, which I think is why we are tripping.
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The underlayment for the tile floor extends out to the wood floor. The threshold is placed on top of this. Yes, the bevel is only on one side. Here is a picture of mine that I hope will help. Please excuse the unfinished wood floor -- it's next on the list of to-do's. As you can see, the light reflects only on the flat part of the threshold, so you can see where the bevel ends. The white part just above the wood floor is the tile underlayment. I am sure there are others on this board who are far more familiar with this process and can fill in the blanks for you.
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bill_vincent
16 years ago
Sounds like they may have set it on top of the tile, which is wrong.
tom_p_pa
16 years ago
"difference between the wooden bedroom floors and the marble threshold is too great, although it seems to be fine on the bathroom side of the threshold"

Your contractor probably increased the height of your bathroom subfloor floor (which was probably 1/2") by adding plywood, thinset, a backerboard, more thinset, and then the tile. Be glad he did the installation correctly. This is creating the height difference between the rooms. You will eventually stop tripping over it. With remodeling...this happens.
bill_vincent
16 years ago
I agree. I missed that statement in the original post.

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