Repairing broken UPVC door frame

Horlock

Is there any way to repair a broken UPVC door frame? It looks as if something heavy has been dropped on it. About 3 inches long by 1/2 inch deep chip taken out of the frame itself.

Are the frames a single piece?

Do frames come with or without doors?

Sorry but a froogle search for door frames isn't really helping me at the moment.

Will it cost me a fortune?

Note: I'm a happy diyer but an expert at nothing diy.

Any pointers as always will be greatfully received - looking to save money as always.

To clarify the chip is out of the visual frame not the actual frame that supports the door if that makes any sense at all. Ie when the door is closed it is clear that there is a chip out of the frame (but the actual support for the door is completely in tact.

Thanks again.

ormus

the frames are seperate from the actual door.
it would help if you knew the profile maker, (ie Rehau. very common).

usually made from 4 pieces of the same profile and then screwed together.
a local DG company should be able to supply you with the bottom section. but youll probably have to remove the whole frame to replace it.
or buy a new complete frame.

Horlock

ormus wrote: »

the frames are seperate from the actual door.
it would help if you knew the profile maker, (ie Rehau. very common).

usually made from 4 pieces of the same profile and then screwed together.
a local DG company should be able to supply you with the bottom section. but youll probably have to remove the whole frame to replace it.
or buy a new complete frame.

Afraid I don't know the profile maker - is this something that can be read off the door itself? Afraid I don't currently have access to the door.

Do you have any idea what sort of price I should be looking at? Even very vague. I think a new door seems to be about £400, so I'm guessing at towards £100 - but I don't know if I'm completely barking up the wrong tree here.

McAzrael

You're going to need to find out not only the maker of the profile, but which of that make's profiles it is. Furthermore, the profiles get discontinued and replaced every ten years or so as the dies wear out. And more often than not the four pieces will be welded together rather than screwed. Also, when you take it all out and attempt to switch the door from one frame to the other there's a good chance an old hinge will fail. You're also going to have to attach the hinges to the frame in spot on the right places or it's not going to swing freely. If you need to adjust the door once it's in its new frame then you'll have to deglaze it, and if in doing this you break one of the beads then you are going to be looking for a replacement, and there's even more different beads than there are door frames. And after all this, you still won't have a new door.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you're not going to be able to pop your old door in a new frame.

Horlock

McAzrael wrote: »

You're going to need to find out not only the maker of the profile, but which of that make's profiles it is. Furthermore, the profiles get discontinued and replaced every ten years or so as the dies wear out. And more often than not the four pieces will be welded together rather than screwed. Also, when you take it all out and attempt to switch the door from one frame to the other there's a good chance an old hinge will fail. You're also going to have to attach the hinges to the frame in spot on the right places or it's not going to swing freely. If you need to adjust the door once it's in its new frame then you'll have to deglaze it, and if in doing this you break one of the beads then you are going to be looking for a replacement, and there's even more different beads than there are door frames. And after all this, you still won't have a new door.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you're not going to be able to pop your old door in a new frame.

Ouch that is what I had feared. So how much cash (as that is what this website is all about) would you think I'd be looking at to fix a 3 inch chip? I can easily email a photo of the door to anyone. Basically it is a single door (front door) but the door frame also contains a leaded window directly above the door.

ormus

some are welded, others are screwed.
ive seen both.

Horlock

ormus wrote: »

some are welded, others are screwed.
ive seen both.

Is it easy to tell - by looking - sorry to sound totally stupid - ie if the door is open will I be able to see screw heads?

SatanicHare

There are companies who repair frames, can't recommend any but a quick google brought up these

http://www.plastic-surgeon.co.uk/Services/PlasticAndGrp/WindowCillRepair.aspx

http://www.hometech-uk-ltd.co.uk/home-repair-services/upvc-window-repair/