New composite door draughty

kuepper

Just had a new Homeframe composite door fitted by a local builder who a few people recommended. I thought the door would be a perfect fit as it's built for the surround but there's a draught at the top and side. I haven't told the builder yet as he's away for a few days. I still have to pay for it fortunately. Obviously I'll mention it as soon as he's back but I don't know how he can remedy the problem when the door and surround was presumably manufactured to the measurements he took, I won't be happy if he suggests fitting draft excluders around the frame which is ridiculous for a new door but what other options are there?. I hate confrontation and disputes and feel more intimidated dealing with someone in this situation as I live alone and in my 70s.. Besides the door I can sense a draught on a window he's installed too but I can't find where it's coming from but I'll have to mention that too. Any suggestions on a way forward?

TELLIT01

It could be as simple a fix as putting sealant around the frame, and probably is.  Does the window have a trickle vent, as that would cause a draught when in the open position.

housebuyer143

It might just need adjusting. I do mine periodically with the change in weather, as I occasionally get a draught near the latch side. 

kuepper

TELLIT01 said:

It could be as simple a fix as putting sealant around the frame, and probably is.  Does the window have a trickle vent, as that would cause a draught when in the open position.

The draught is coming from between the door and the frame not anywhere where you could put sealant, it looks like there is some sort of draught excluder fitted to the door itself but it's broken in one place and stops an inch short either side of the central locking mechanism.  TBH  the builder never mentioned anything about the trickle vent opening and closing, in my ignorance i just assumed it was permanently open. I'll have to see how that works tomorrow.

kuepper

housebuyer143 said:

It might just need adjusting. I do mine periodically with the change in weather, as I occasionally get a draught near the latch side. 

You wouldn't have thought it needed adjusting when it was only installed on Thursday!

housebuyer143

kuepper said:

housebuyer143 said:

It might just need adjusting. I do mine periodically with the change in weather, as I occasionally get a draught near the latch side. 

You wouldn't have thought it needed adjusting when it was only installed on Thursday!

Depends if they adjusted it right when it went in? Most these things need adjusting more as soon as they go in, rather than later. You cant feel draughts normally until it's very cold or windy, so might not have been obvious. That's what happened to mine, they left and I felt a draught and I adjusted it and it was gone. Might be an easy fix 🤞

FreeBear

If the frame was put in with a slight twist, no amount of adjusting will fix it. Run a plumb line down each side to check.

kuepper

One draught point is around the 'latch' where the draughtproofing stops either side of it, is that a design fault? The other is at the top corner of the door frame where it looks like the draughtpriloofing is damaged 

housebuyer143

Mine is similar, but does have a bit of fluff there to prevent draughts, although it's probably only there because they latch has a hole in it 🤔
I also have two layers of fur inside my door. 

The damaged section could be contributing to it.

kuepper

There's also a draught in this top corner where you can see the gap between door and the side of the frame is wider above the hinge than it is below it

housebuyer143

kuepper said:

There's also a draught in this top corner where you can see the gap between door and the side of the frame is wider above the hinge than it is below it

You can adjust that in seconds with an allen key so don't worry about that. You literally just take the side cap off and turn the bolt left or right and the door goes in or out. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, then the builder can. 

You will probably find a quick adjustment resolves all your problems.