composite door fitting

GT60

Hi
I have just had a new Heritage composite door fitted and it looks great and works fine but;
it is not square in the frame, at the top on the hinge side the gap is about 1 cm or less and across the top the gap gets smaller towards the other side
When I questioned the fitter he said this is normal
its dammed annoying though


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Chanes

Normal? I wouldn't like it either, but if it works I guess you'll get used to it. We have had four composite doors fitted over the years and none have ever been anything but square. The should have adjusters on the hinges that can move them in the frame, maybe they could square them with those?

TheCyclingProgrammer

Not normal. Frame should be square or as damn close as possible. A few mm out would be tolerable but that's terrible.

The door could be misaligned or wonky but unlikely if it's closing properly.

nickcc

Doubt there's much that can be done as the frame isn't square. You'll soon get to the point where you won't even notice it. I personally dislike composite doors as they're usually filled with cardboard but are much cheaper than timber,

The_Shadow

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

Not normal. Frame should be square or as damn close as possible. A few mm out would be tolerable but that's terrible.

The door could be misaligned or wonky but unlikely if it's closing properly.

Agreed it will be the frame that is slightly out of allignment. The door is made on a jig and should be square. Get the company back to adjust the frame. I have had the same issue but the gap was at the bottom of the door.

GT60

The_Shadow wrote: »

Agreed it will be the frame that is slightly out of allignment. The door is made on a jig and should be square. Get the company back to adjust the frame. I have had the same issue but the gap was at the bottom of the door.

Do you mean for them to take the door / frame off the house and refit?
Thanks

Chanes

nickcc wrote: »

Doubt there's much that can be done as the frame isn't square. You'll soon get to the point where you won't even notice it. I personally dislike composite doors as they're usually filled with cardboard but are much cheaper than timber,

Rockdoors aren't filled with cardboard and they cost more than wood. I suppose you're stuck with the colour though and can't gloss them like you can with wood. I like Solidoor too I think they are wood?

Tothepoint.

The_Shadow wrote: »

Agreed it will be the frame that is slightly out of allignment. The door is made on a jig and should be square. Get the company back to adjust the frame. I have had the same issue but the gap was at the bottom of the door.

It was probably square and had an even gap until he started to fit it.

Tothepoint.

GT60 wrote: »

Hi
I have just had a new Heritage composite door fitted and it looks great and works fine but;
it is not square in the frame, at the top on the hinge side the gap is about 1 cm or less and across the top the gap gets smaller towards the other side
When I questioned the fitter he said this is normal
its dammed annoying though


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Normal as in all the ones he fits are like that?

He's in the wrong job.

TheCyclingProgrammer

GT60 wrote: »

Do you mean for them to take the door / frame off the house and refit?
Thanks

Thats the only way it's going to get fixed. It's presumably had expanding foam to fill any gaps. The whole lot will have to come out, cleaned up and refitted.

They should have made sure it was square before it was fixed into place. It's not rocket science, they should have used packers to square the frame within the opening and then used trim to hide the gaps - effectively the unevenness (as the opening is unlikely to be perfectly square) should be lost behind the cloaking trim where it can't be seen.

Expect them to resist doing this as it effectively means doing the whole job again. But their fault for not doing it properly in the first place.

It's up to you, you might just stop noticing it. The frames on both of our doors are not perfect but tolerable.

Furts

GT60 wrote: »

Do you mean for them to take the door / frame off the house and refit?
Thanks

Yes, but also consider the scenario if this is not done. There is likely to be some movement, or settlement, or wear, as time progresses. As your door is not a good fit in the frame there is little chance to accomodate this, without calling back the installers. But will they be willing to come back? And will they adjust the door correctly? After all we can all your photos of their approach to quality and customer service.

Also consider the following. If a fitter deems your job satisfactory I would be wondering what else has been scimped on. Are there enough fixings in place? Have all gaps been properly sealed? Have mechanisms been lubricated? Is it sealed under the cill? The list goes on.

If the door is re-fitted that time round you can stipulate, and check on, things being done properly.