patio door threshold issue

[Gary Roan]

I recently had a Renewal by Anderson contractor (The Window Place) install a
rather expensive ($3,500) pair of exterior French doors that open to a
screened-in porch. They are a really beautiful set of well-made doors, but
I complained about the door threshold that rises 2-1/2 inches above the
interior flooring and that I'm afraid presents a tripping hazard.
Residential code appears to require a threshold rise of no more than 1-1/2
inches. Anderson has only offered to build up the external part of the
threshold using a a 2x10 to provide a flat place to step when passing
through the doors (the current threshold solution is rather uneven). The
real fix in my opinion is to lower the threshold by modifying the metal
plate and door seal and lowering the door/frame. Not a easy fix! My
question is: is it reasonable to ask Anderson to lower the threshold and
door frame or is there another way?

[Art]

Sounds like they should have removed a strip of flooring before
installation. Of course they probably did not measure to take that into
account and the custom door you have is too short. If they did not get
permits, I would make some unofficial calls to the inspectors office without
giving your name and find out what kind of inspections if any should have
been done. I would also try to find installation instructions and if you
were home, try to remember if they followed the instructions correctly.
CHeck Andersen's web site or call them for installation instructions for
your door. Then call and write Andersen and tell them that the installation
was defective, the door mis-sized and it is their problem, not yours. Get
ready for small claims court. If you put it on a credit card inform the
credit card company that they installed the wrong size door. Credit
companies cannot resolve quality and installations issues but they can
resolve wrong size merchandise issues by charging them back.

Post by Gary Roan
I recently had a Renewal by Anderson contractor (The Window Place) install a
rather expensive ($3,500) pair of exterior French doors that open to a
screened-in porch. They are a really beautiful set of well-made doors, but
I complained about the door threshold that rises 2-1/2 inches above the
interior flooring and that I'm afraid presents a tripping hazard.
Residential code appears to require a threshold rise of no more than 1-1/2
inches. Anderson has only offered to build up the external part of the
threshold using a a 2x10 to provide a flat place to step when passing
through the doors (the current threshold solution is rather uneven). The
real fix in my opinion is to lower the threshold by modifying the metal
plate and door seal and lowering the door/frame. Not a easy fix! My
question is: is it reasonable to ask Anderson to lower the threshold and
door frame or is there another way?
--
Gary Roan