Composite door - installed incorrectly

Savvyjevvy

Hello

I had a full house window and door installation last year. I have had so many issues and errors with the company - one being my porch door.

It is a composite door, opening outwards. They ordered it wrong, installed wrong and have been back 5 times to adjust as it keeps dropping.

I was looking at the door myself this week and notice it looks like its actually back to front! The outside is not sealed, the inside is (frame overlaps the door inside and has weather seal). On the outside, the furry strip is visible, also the lock too.

We actually noticed this as my partner left his key inside and shut the door. He realised straight away but the door was then closed, and so he noticed the latch is visible. He popped a card along the side and it popped open! Just like that! This cant be right! My insurance is probably not even valid while its like this!!!

Can anyone tell me if there should be a seal or what an outside opening door should be like? I just dont think this seems ok?

Thank you!

Jevvy

Furts

As a general principle of building, when considering driving rain, wind and sealing it has always been accepted practice for doors and windows in the UK to open inwards.

By specifying an outward opening door you have made a decision to not follow this. Consequently what detail did you request before placing your door order?

I have not come across an outward opening composite door but my intuition is that standard door blanks are used and there is no rebated overlap to seal the door.

Hope this helps.

Savvyjevvy

Thank you - the door replaced one already opening outwards, its a porch door and the porch is not deep enough to open in. It was never a specific request just a replacement when everything was done.

I just feel that access to the latch so easily maybe invalidates my home insurance?!?

Thanks

wealdroam

Savvyjevvy wrote: »

Thank you - the door replaced one already opening outwards, its a porch door and the porch is not deep enough to open in. It was never a specific request just a replacement when everything was done.

I just feel that access to the latch so easily maybe invalidates my home insurance?!?

Thanks

You have a 'proper' front door immediately behind this porch door?

If so, I cannot see that your insurance company will be interested... unless you store lots of valuables in the porch.

Savvyjevvy

I do have another door yes.

I was just wondering overall as the door seems to drop all the time, i wondered if you have different hinges for outward opening doors which might solve my problem, and also the latch being accessible!

Furts

Savvyjevvy wrote: »

I do have another door yes.

I was just wondering overall as the door seems to drop all the time, i wondered if you have different hinges for outward opening doors which might solve my problem, and also the latch being accessible!

If a satisfactory outward opening composite door has not been supplied then I suggest you take issue with this.

If the ultimate answer is that one is not available at a realistic, low price, then a pvcu outward opening door may have to be substituted for this. If the design is picked with care it could look acceptable. I accept that pvcu doors look unpleasant in relation to composite doors. However, my 2XGG external back door looks fine, so some are OK.