Buying second hand UPVC front door?

booter

So, we need a new front door (the old hardwood one has never fit properly since the day we moved in around 15 years ago ) but can't afford a brand new one, so were thinking of getting a 2nd hand door and frame. However, we have a "light thief"?? (fixed glazed panel thingy) over the existing front door. We want to keep this window - it lets in a lovely amount of light - but can't find a second hand door complete with the window above. So, OH reckons he can get a door & frame and then just order a window and frame for above the door, fixing the bottom of the window frame to the top of the door frame, iyswim.

Any advice re: buying 2nd hand doors/frames? Any potential pitfalls re: fixing a window frame to the top of the doorframe. Is it do-able!? All advice welcome!:)

societys_child

Yes of course it is . . . just need to find the correct size door and frame.

Last time I bought one it had a window above it which was part of the frame . . . I had to cut it off . . .

OldFartPlumber

I bought 2 second hand doors in PVC - for my sheds . Tis all they are fit for

booter

Ok, so conflicting opinions here perhaps? I'd like to think it was do-able, I just can't afford a new door Thanks societys child - it would be ideal if I could find one of the right size, with a window above! Ok, so the hunt is on........:)

AlexMac

I admire your OH if he's up for fitting a secondhand UPVC door as that seems quite challenging- and the initial challenge will be finding one the right size. If you can, and if he's a reasonable DIY-er or carpenter, it's easy enough to use frame fixings at the sides, but the doorstep might be trickier? Or I guess you could buy one a bit under-size and pack out the aperture with a new timber frame and hope it looks OK...
But it's more than I would take on... and I'm no DIY virgin. (I've fitted both new french doors - made up by a local carpentry shop with frame and window over, as you describe to fit a former sash window aperture in a Victorian House- I cut the opening down to floor level with an angle grinder. More recently I replaced the naff neo-georgian hardwood door and sidelight in this 1980's house with classy contemporary oak frosted part-glazed ones. The (upmarket) door cost £300, and the sidelight panel under £200 but you can get cheaper).

My point is that it was much easier to fit the stuff made to size, and are you saving much buying a secondhand misfit? A local door shop here in SE London was recently doing a new glazed repro Victorian door -supply/fit, with fixtures, for £500. I'm currently getting a new UPVC door, with a window above and full sidelight (so about 7ft high by over 5ft wide) supplied and fitted in my ex-Council BTL for under £1k; and assume most of that cost is the fitting, so how much will a made to measure door cost you? Or an off the peg timber one if OH can plane it down himself? I hate UPVC doors anyway, and the only time I ever had to adjust a sticky one, it was really tricky to adjust the multi-point edge lock mechanisms

booter

Thanks for your input AlexMac - much appreciated! OH is quite a talented chap really (but I'm not going to tell him that, it'll go to his head ) so I'm confident that he can rise to the challenge

However, I understand your point about it being easier to fit stuff made to size. TBH, I haven't actually priced up a new door & frame - I'm just going on word of mouth, so thank you for your advice - I'll get some actual quotes first. It may save a headache in the long run! Cheers :T