New front door

FaceHead

I've been in the market for a new composite front door for quite a while, and have found a local company to do this for me. Measuring up, they pointed out that the door way measures about 160mm smaller on the outside than the inside, as the frame has virtually all disappeared into the external render. I'd therefore need the need a door much narrower than the current one (which is already rather narrow) - and would have to pick from a very restricted range, as most door designs aren't made that narrow. 

Presumably there's also be loads of expanding form around the new door behind the render which would compromise the thermal and acoustic performance. 

The 160mm difference suggests to me there is something like 80mm render all round. Is removing the render from the door reveal a good idea? I'd then have it put back on at the usual thickness (20mm?). This would make the external opening about 120mm wider and I'd be able to get the design of door I want in that.

If so, I thought I'd hack it off myself, and probably then get the door fitted, and then find a plasterer to re-render. Mostly just want some re-assurance before taking a chisel and/or SDS to the front of the house. 

Pictures:

A nice bit of frame showing on the inside:




Externally, the wooden frame is a almost completely disappeared into the render (both light grey)

FreeBear

Is there any reason the frame can not be fitted from the inside ?

Got a few windows here that are rendered up to the frames and wood trim around the reveals internally. Removing the trim allows the windows to be installed relatively easily..

It looks like you have a wooden door frame - One thing to watch out for with older properties. Often, the frame is providing structural support for the brickwork above. If this is the case, then a lintel needs to be installed, or you risk the brickwork above cracking & slowly dropping. A reputable installer should be aware of this during the survey.

FaceHead

FreeBear said:

Is there any reason the frame can not be fitted from the inside ?

If we put a door the size of the current one in from the inside, the render would cover all the frame (or maybe more) like the current one. The fitter therefore proposed a super narrow door to not be excessively covered by render, but I don't like the idea of the door being super narrow, so arrive at ripping the render off. 

FreeBear said:

It looks like you have a wooden door frame - One thing to watch out for with older properties. Often, the frame is providing structural support for the brickwork above. 

Yes agree: one to watch. And with the outside rendered, it's hard to tell if there's a lintel up there. Certainly the other houses in the terrace that aren't rendered do have visible lintels. 

Thanks for your thoughts.

FreeBear

FaceHead said:  If we put a door the size of the current one in from the inside, the render would cover all the frame (or maybe more) like the current one. The fitter therefore proposed a super narrow door to not be excessively covered by render, but I don't like the idea of the door being super narrow, so arrive at ripping the render off.

Door frames can be made with a variety of different profile sizes ranging from 50mm to 80mm (possibly even more). So I would be surprised if a suitable frame couldn't be produced.

A thought - Do you have external wall insulation ?

That would explain the thickness of the render around the door opening - If so, cut back the render, peel off the insulation (watch out for fixings). Once the door is fitted, you can then decide to reinstate the insulation or not before patching up the render.

koalakoala

If you choose a narrow door you may have difficulty getting furniture etc in and out

greenface2

What is the width theyre trying to achieve . what do you think can be if you hacked it back to the start/ end of the frame . Over 6 inches is a lot . Tinidoor and solidor make smaller comp doors but work every way to keep maximum width possible . Or try elsewhere 

Slinky

Are they trying to make the job simple for themselves or giving you the best option. I'd speak to some other installers.