Problems with a composite door

Sixsue

I am hoping someone can help please, we bought a new build house in 2020 and have a problem with a draft coming through the front door, it is bad enough to blow out a candle when it is really windy!
I have raised this with the builders they have visited with the manufacturer and say there is nothing wrong- I have involved NHBC who have been out to visit and conducted a paper test on the door and have said the fit is fine, it was not windy on the day of the visit so the draft was not that bad.
NHBC say there is nothing else they can do- surely it can’t be right? You can feel a draft in the downstairs rooms so we have to have the heating on very high just to feel warm, the obvious solution would be to buy a new front door but this is cost we can’t really afford.
Any suggestions on how to move forward on this would be much appreciated.

Ganga

Where is the gap ? top ,bottom or side of the door ,if at the bottom place a mat up against it for now or buy and fit a draught excluder.

rob7475

A composite door should have a draught strip fitted into the frame - is that not there? Where exactly is the draught coming from (sides, top, bottom, letter box)?

Sixsue

Hi Rob 
yes there is a draft proof strip all around the door but the door does not fit square in the frame - there is a gap in all four corners of the door , I have contacted FENSA via email today as the supplier is FENSA registered to see if they can help - I am also trying to get someone to come and do a report for me but have not had much luck yet.

Ben1989

Don’t they do seal tests on all new build houses? I’m not exactly sure how they do them but you could ask them to do it again and this will be proof of substandard draft exclusion

Sixsue

Hi Ben, I have already asked about this- they only test a few homes, we are a small development and my neighbours doors are all ok

youth_leader

Could you put a curtain rail/curtain up while you are waiting for action to be taken?

fenwick458

Sixsue said:

NHBC say there is nothing else they can do- surely it can’t be right? You can feel a draft in the downstairs rooms so we 
....
Any suggestions on how to move forward on this would be much appreciated.

seems it's on you to prove to them that their is a case.
can you prove it? i.e get some videos which clearly show it?
I've never dealt with the NHBC before but surely they have some sort pf appeals procedure, or a complaints procedure?
if you are unsure you could just ask them directly, "what do I do if I'm unhappy with the response from you"

koalakoala

I have always found the NHBC to be useless when I’ve had problems with new houses. 

Sixsue

Thank you for your suggestions, I have contacted NHBC to appeal the decision and have arranged for another door company to come and give me a written report (at a cost!) will post when I have anymore updates.
thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply to me😃