Composite Door - DIY?

ShillyShally

Does anyone have any experience of fitting one of these as a replacement door?

I've set my heart on a new front door (gales blow through our current wooden one) but the quotes I've been given to have the door supplied and fitted come in at around £1200. I can by the exact same door, cill, furniture etc on line for less than £600 delivered.

Sooo, is it reasonable to DIY or are there likely to be problems which would justify over £600 for fitting?

Thanks

ormus

if you buy the door complete with the frame and cill etc... the job should be virtually the same as fitting any normal complete front door.

stef73

I bought 1 from B&Q last year fitted it with my Dad took about half a day all the instuctions came with it .

allan673

easy to fit , if your not confident then pay a joiner/window fitter etc. if you dont know anyone then keep an eye out for firms installing windows and doors in your area, then ask them if theyre interested in a cash job on the side.
£100 to £150 labour should easily cover it, as previous poster says its half a days work maximum (2 hrs if theres 2 of them)
theyre easy to fit as they come assembled to the frame. its just a case of fitting the new frame square.

the £600 youve been quoted is an absolute joke.

27col

A friend of mine who is a retired carpenter, recently had a composite door fitted . He said that it was so heavy that the fitter could not manage it on his own and asked him to help with the lifting. So he paid the cost of having it fitted and also did some of the work involved in fitting it. I must say, it looks very nice, though.

ShillyShally

Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement.

For the sake of £600, I think we are certainly game to have a good try - and if we run into problems, shall yell for help as both our nextdoor neighbours are carpenters. I'll let you know how it goes!!

MrYorke

Are you happy with your current door....apart from the drafts?

Why dont you buy some gaskets specifically for blocking drafts? You can buy them at all the major retailers like B&Q etc.....although if you have a screwfix you'll get them cheaper or maybe order online, cheaper still.

This will save you lots of money instead of buying a new door.

Or perhaps you're door needs a simple overhall and rejuvination with complete draftproofing.....something i offer customers. This involves taking the door off, removing all the furniture...knocker, letter box and lock etc.....sanding down then re-coating to a chosen colour and replacing the furniture for new (if you want to) and all that for less than £300. Or even less than that if you dont change the furniture. Something to consider instead of forking out so much money for a new door when you old one.

Hope this helps and saves you cash

sunshinetours

MrYorke wrote: »

Are you happy with your current door....apart from the drafts?

Why dont you buy some gaskets specifically for blocking drafts? You can buy them at all the major retailers like B&Q etc.....although if you have a screwfix you'll get them cheaper or maybe order online, cheaper still.

This will save you lots of money instead of buying a new door.

Or perhaps you're door needs a simple overhall and rejuvination with complete draftproofing.....something i offer customers. This involves taking the door off, removing all the furniture...knocker, letter box and lock etc.....sanding down then re-coating to a chosen colour and replacing the furniture for new (if you want to) and all that for less than £300. Or even less than that if you dont change the furniture. Something to consider instead of forking out so much money for a new door when you old one.

Hope this helps and saves you cash

And much more enviromentally friendly!

Guess it depends whether its a decent hardwood door worth saving though?

ShillyShally

sunshinetours wrote: »

And much more enviromentally friendly!

Guess it depends whether its a decent hardwood door worth saving though?

If the existing, original door was redeemable, that would be brilliant as it is in keeping with the style of the house (1930s). Unfortunately I think the phrase "jerry built" was invented with our house in mind :eek: Sadly, I've been advised that the door has warped beyond repair, thats not too bad in itself but the panels have split/torn along the grain, hence the drafts! Mind I don't suppose for one moment that the new door will last 70 odd years either

iamcornholio

Be careful if you DIY.

Some manufacturers may require professional fitting to make any guarnatee valid.

Also, pay close attention to the manufacturers instructions with regard to cutting and subsequent edge treatment. Some types need proper sealing of edges, some don't. If edges are not sealed as instructed, then the door delaminates when water gets into the core and the face bubbles out and core swells

If the door comes as a set (pre-hung in frame) then its generally easier and there should be no alterations required

Otherwise its straightforward