I need a new front door

dllive

Hi,

I need to buy a new front door. I know roughly the style I want. And I know I dont want uPVC (its to go on a terraced 1800's cottage). A few questions:

- I want it to look in keeping with the house, so I think composite or a wooden door is the way to go.What are the benefits of composite over wood? Is one easier to install than the other?
- Are there any preferred shops/websites to buy the door from?
- Because its a fairly minor job, I think it will be hard to find someone to fix it. Is it a job for a carpenter, or a handyman, or a builder?
- Has anyone used https://www.mybuilder.com/ before?

Any advice, guidance, tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

grumbler

I am no expert, but AFAIK, composite doors are made with artificial materials outside and in this respect (outside look) are no much different from UPVC.

TELLIT01

I've just done a quick search and from what I can see, composite doors can be provided in a wide range of finishes which may make them suitable for use in period properties.  I wouldn't discount the possibility of using that material.

Ectophile

If you're going for a composite door, then try a local windows company. They will arrange all the measurement and fitting.

FreeBear

Assuming the original frame is still in good condition, replacing just the door avoids having to get the work signed off. A composite door will usually require a new frame to go with it, especially if you are having a multipoint lock. Using a local window/door company (not the likes of Anglian or Everest), they will measure, fit, and supply all the relevant certificates.

An 1800s cottage is going to be a non-standard door size (unless it has been replaced in the last 30 odd years). Measure it very carefully to make sure you get a suitable replacement. Modern timber doors, whilst they can be trimmed to fit, there is a limit as to how much can be cut off. A decent carpenter/handyman should be able to advise.

dllive

Ive just been having a closer look. Composite doors look to be 2 or 3 times more than wood.

However, with a wooden door Ill also need to buy the locks etc. The door frame is sound, so probably a wooden door is the way forward.

TELLIT01

Very important observation by FreeBear about limits on how much modern doors can be trimmed.  Another alternative is to visit a local building reclamation yard to see if they have any genuine period doors which would be suitable.

dllive

FreeBear said:

Assuming the original frame is still in good condition, replacing just the door avoids having to get the work signed off. A composite door will usually require a new frame to go with it, especially if you are having a multipoint lock. Using a local window/door company (not the likes of Anglian or Everest), they will measure, fit, and supply all the relevant certificates.

Apart from the awful hard selling of Anglian/Everest (which Ive experienced first hand!) are there any downsides to using them? Are the more expensive than a local handyman for example? Im just curious.

strawb_shortcake

dllive said:

FreeBear said:

Assuming the original frame is still in good condition, replacing just the door avoids having to get the work signed off. A composite door will usually require a new frame to go with it, especially if you are having a multipoint lock. Using a local window/door company (not the likes of Anglian or Everest), they will measure, fit, and supply all the relevant certificates.

Apart from the awful hard selling of Anglian/Everest (which Ive experienced first hand!) are there any downsides to using them? Are the more expensive than a local handyman for example? Im just curious.

I know of someone that paid twice the cost of a local reputable company to go with a larger national outfit as they had better timescales. 3 weeks after fitting the door needed some work. Called the company as it was guaranteed, but in the three weeks since fitting the company had gone "bust" and guarantee was no longer valid despite the same people still working there. 
I'd look at getting recommendations of local companies. 
Pricing may be dependent on where you live but I understood wooden doors to be the most expensive 

FreeBear

dllive said:

FreeBear said:

Assuming the original frame is still in good condition, replacing just the door avoids having to get the work signed off. A composite door will usually require a new frame to go with it, especially if you are having a multipoint lock. Using a local window/door company (not the likes of Anglian or Everest), they will measure, fit, and supply all the relevant certificates.

Apart from the awful hard selling of Anglian/Everest (which Ive experienced first hand!) are there any downsides to using them? Are the more expensive than a local handyman for example? Im just curious.

If a neighbouring property is anything to go by, major problems with using Anglian... A 1920s house, they replaced the front door, and all was OK for a few weeks. They then had to come back and repointed the brickwork above the door... What they should have done, but didn't, was to fit a lintel to support the outer leaf of brickwork as per FENSA guidance. A lot of houses of that period relied on the (original) timber frames to provide structural support to the brickwork. Remove the wooden frame without inserting a lintel, and there is a very good probability that the brickwork will start to sag.

Anglian have been in the business long enough to know this, but the fitters are on a tight schedule and constantly trying to cut costs/corners so that the sales team can get their bonuses.

And if you have any other problems that result in having to take court action, they have a huge legal department ready to fight you every inch of the way - There is a reason their prices are higher than everybody else.

FaceHead

dllive said:

Ive just been having a closer look. Composite doors look to be 2 or 3 times more than wood.

However, with a wooden door Ill also need to buy the locks etc. The door frame is sound, so probably a wooden door is the way forward.

I have been having a closer look that this too, as I'm in the same boat. 

I also thought wood would be cheaper until I started collecting quotes. To sand then fill the existing frame, and supply and fit a suitable hardwood door and hardware came back at c.£3500. 

To rip it out and put a composite door in is looking like c.£1800, although I suspect there may be some making good required where the old door is ripped out. 

I was shocked that reuse of the frame seemed to cost more. I would expect a door and frame manafactured as one unit will also provide a superior seal for heat and nosie.

Perhaps this carpenter was a chancer who didn't really want the job, but I am gradually coming to terms with the need to spend £1800 on the new composite door. 

Thanks to @FreeBear for the tip on the potential structural role of the door frame, which I am likely to rip out.