Front door stiff after heavy rains

proformance

We've not been in our new flat for very long, but even at the best of times, we've found it difficult to open and close the existing (solid wood) front door to our (converted) Victorian house.

I think it gets stiffer in damper conditions (i.e. a couple of days after heavy rainfall).

We're not too concerned about security, nor insulation, but we'd like to know:

- judging by the description of the issues, are these something typically associated with wooden doors and are these types of issues generally repairable? If so, roughly how much? Or can it be easily done ourselves? 

- or do we bite the bullet and get a new door? Composite or wood?

Thanks in advance! 

Apodemus

Is it sticking or just stiff?  If it is just stiff, a little WD40 (or light oil) on the hinges might just do the trick.  If it is sticking, look for where it is stuck and plane or sand off the surface paint to see if that works. 

Please don't even think of replacing a good old Victorian door, just because it is stiff!   

Doozergirl

It is quite normal.  

The fact that it's sticky also means that it's
less draughty.  There will be times when it contracts too, so you want a sweet spot  with it.  

Ectophile

You should be able to work out where it's sticking. Judge which bit seems to be stuck as you push it, then look closely for signs of scraping.  Then attack it with a sander until the door frees up again.

aoleks

It’s fixable, but I would definitely recommend a good conposite door, regardless of experiencing any issues or not.

proformance

On the chance that we may fit an entirely new one though, and we wanted to a specific colour (tangerine), roughly how much might we expect to pay (for a good composite one)? 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

a quick google finds THIS, and THIS2, give you an idea.

Apodemus

aoleks said:

It’s fixable, but I would definitely recommend a good conposite door, regardless of experiencing any issues or not.

So, you're not really signed up to the MSE ethos then?! 

aoleks

proformance said:

On the chance that we may fit an entirely new one though, and we wanted to a specific colour (tangerine), roughly how much might we expect to pay (for a good composite one)? 

You can get a composite door from around £5-800, installation will be on top of that. It depends on the size, whether you have side panels etc.

J_B

aoleks said:

proformance said:

On the chance that we may fit an entirely new one though, and we wanted to a specific colour (tangerine), roughly how much might we expect to pay (for a good composite one)? 

You can get a composite door from around £5-800, installation will be on top of that. It depends on the size, whether you have side panels etc.

Or sandpaper for a couple of quid and a tin of tangerine (if you insist!!) paint for a tenner perhaps

MSE? ;-)

Niv

J_B said:

aoleks said:

proformance said:

On the chance that we may fit an entirely new one though, and we wanted to a specific colour (tangerine), roughly how much might we expect to pay (for a good composite one)? 

You can get a composite door from around £5-800, installation will be on top of that. It depends on the size, whether you have side panels etc.

Or sandpaper for a couple of quid and a tin of tangerine (if you insist!!) paint for a tenner perhaps

MSE? ;-)

A COUPLE OF QUID! Where are you shopping for sandpaper Mr fancy pants ;P (sorry, just had to get extra MSE there)