How hard is it to fit a new front door *and surround*?

[skotl]

Wife fancies one of these to replace a similar (I know... ) setup at the front door:

Our current door surround dimensions pretty much match the delivered product (marked in red, above).

I've fitted plenty internal and external doors but never had to worry about weatherproofing as such, so how hard is it to fit the entire surround as pictured and what would I use to seal it?

(dunno whether these door kits come with DIY instructions - it's a JCI unit, if that gives any insights)

 

[minimutly]

Dead easy, few wedges, expanding foam, some trims, easy innit...
Well at least this is how they do it round our way.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I managed it by myself with no previous experience other than enthusiastic DIY

 

[JimmyS]

Pretty straightforward. Much the same as fitting a window. Main thing is making sure the sizes are ok.

 

[mtt.tr]

What's your house finish?

Is it render or brick? Render being easier to hide if you can render.

Brick the frames and opening want to be close, you can either point the gap or cover it with trim.

 

[rtcosic]

All the doors and windows on our house have the gaps sealed with self expanding foam:

XPANDA 300 - 1mm - 9mm - 12.5 Metre rolls - 300 Pascals

Xpanda 300 is a pre-compressed open cell polyurethane foam backed roll with a self adhesive scrim tape to assist positioning. Heavily impregnated with chemically stabilized acrylics creating flame retardant properties, Xpanda 300 remains permanently elastic and will continually self adjust after...

www.airtighttapes.co.uk

I removed the garage pedestrian door and frame, cut out the unnecessary two courses of brick below the thresh-hold, and replaced the door and frame.
The frame was held in place with plastic shims and concrete screws, so I replicated that:

Masonry Torx Frame Fixing Screw

There's no need for additional plugs when you use these masonry torx frame fixing screws. You'll get strong and secure fixings with this pack, which contains 100 screws along with a handy torx bit. • Fixes materials without the need for additional plugs• Strong and secure fixings• Use 6mm drill...

www.toolstation.com

Perfectly straightforward, but I wouldn't like to tackle the job single handed though.

 

[addjunkie]

Its not difficult as described above. Sealed with basically loads of silicone. But be careful as so e when fitting you cant open the door till the frame is fitted/ fixed, or the frames twist!

Extra pair of hands as they are heavy

 

[Morrisman]

Dead easy, few wedges, expanding foam, some trims, easy innit...
Well at least this is how they do it round our way.

Sometimes they even put a couple of screws in. Not always though, according to a builder friend of mine. The sticky spray foam gives a hell of a good grip.

I put a single door in the back of my garage during the first lockdown, it went surprisingly well. Beware, expanding foam is deceiving, it keeps on expanding, for quite a long time, and a long way.....

 

[northwest]

I always wet the stonework/Masonry with a spray bottle of water before squirting the foam in, really helps it to clag!

 

[addjunkie]

Buy a big bag of plastic packing shims..other brands available…make levelling up easier.

Broadfix Assorted Plastic Shims Medium 100 Pcs - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. For easy levelling of battens, studding and door or window frames. Comb feature for extra grip. Colour coded for easy identification. Small: 20 x 1, 3, 5mm, 10 x 6mm. Standard: 10 x 1, 3, 5mm. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Morrisman]

Its not difficult as described above. Sealed with basically loads of silicone. But be careful as so e when fitting you cant open the door till the frame is fitted/ fixed, or the frames twist!

Extra pair of hands as they are heavy

My sisters partner fitted her a upvc garage door, but neglected to ensure the frame was square to the plane of the door, so the door has to twist a touch to fully close..... He did it for free, cut a bunch of brick and everything, so she can't really complain.

When I fitted mine I triple checked all that.

To cover the somewhat messy foamy joint around the edge I glued on suitable width plastic strip, which worked out very tidy.

 

[minimutly]

Let me be clear - if all you use is expanding foam, silicon and trims, you'd better not be facing strong winds, because all the foam in the world will give, just a bit. And that bit will allow it to move, so it will move enough to leak - air, and maybe water, if the wind carries horizontal rain. You have been warned.
PS, also, slamming of the door will do the same, over time.
The sh*t eating shysters that call themselves window and door installers should be lined up and flogged in my opinion, they promise windows and doors that "will last forever" but in truth bring nothing but damp, squeeling drafts and misery, in my experience.
Pictures and proof when I get home, if anyone's interested..

 

[Eric the chicken]

You also have to be aware that you may discover previous bodges. When I replaced our front door the previous 'fitter' had made up the gap between the door frame and the door opening with a one inch stacks of packing wedges at regular intervals around the door on both sides and the top.

 

[Chippie]

There’s a lot to be said for having a pro come and measure up.

That way, if the frame/door doesn’t fit you have some course for redress….

Diy and get it wrong, you’re on your own….

In an ideal world, you would want the minimum of gap top and sides, make sure when you drill the frame fixers don’t over tighten them, thus stressing the frame and making it distorted….makes hanging the doors more difficult.

Ive changed all the windows and doors in a previous house, so know what to expect…

 

[Craig-SM]

Wife fancies one of these to replace a similar (I know... ) setup at the front door:

View attachment 425152


Our current door surround dimensions pretty much match the delivered product (marked in red, above).

I've fitted plenty internal and external doors but never had to worry about weatherproofing as such, so how hard is it to fit the entire surround as pictured and what would I use to seal it?

(dunno whether these door kits come with DIY instructions - it's a JCI unit, if that gives any insights)

That is similar to ours with the two side light panels. It leaked, didn't close right as too much flex with the side panels and was generally a nightmare. Time and time again the fitters came out to sort it and never resolved the problems until we managed to get a partial refund.
A custom made wood door and frame with side lights was ordered and after much delay the installers were sent packing on the day of fitting as they had used nothing more than plywood to create the side panels and flexed more than a wet noodle. Money reclaimed through the courts as they had not made it as quoted.
Went for a composite Rockdoor fitted by one of their recommended fitters (I think you have to use them) and it has been solid as rock (excuse the pun). The frame and sill were all reinforced to avoid any flex. There is still a little flex but it's minimal. When we came to replace the back door we went with Rockdoor again and no regrets. I did think briefly about fitting it myself but after the grief with the front door went for the more expensive but much less hassle with a better fit and finish than I could ever achieve.

Our front door courtesy of Google Streetview

 

[mtt.tr]

I always wet the stonework/Masonry with a spray bottle of water before squirting the foam in, really helps it to clag!

Someone read the can

I applaud you sir.

 

[mtt.tr]

My sisters partner fitted her a upvc garage door, but neglected to ensure the frame was square to the plane of the door, so the door has to twist a touch to fully close..... He did it for free, cut a bunch of brick and everything, so she can't really complain.

When I fitted mine I triple checked all that.

To cover the somewhat messy foamy joint around the edge I glued on suitable width plastic strip, which worked out very tidy.

View attachment 425155
View attachment 425156

Might be able to toe and heel the door itself to get it to fit.

 

[Onoff]

Compriband or similar Illbrück expanding tape is streets ahead of foam. However you really need to trial fit the window or door first. Keep your tape in the fridge. Then, as quick as you can apply the tape around all sides and get the frame in. The tape will expand and remain flexible.

As far as foam goes then use Illbrück FM330. It stands out amongst expanding foams as airtight whilst super flexible.

You can use tape first then foam to finish off.

For what not to do watch White Gold

 

[Robotstar5]

There’s a lot to be said for having a pro come and measure up.

That way, if the frame/door doesn’t fit you have some course for redress….

Had that happen at my mums house, they measured up but when they came to fit the bay window there was a 40mm gap at the top, they had to board the gap until another window was made and delivered

 

[Onoff]

Mask up whatever uPVC / frame you don't want to get foam on!

White Gold (TV Series 2017–2019) ⭐ 7.3 | Comedy

30m | 18

m.imdb.com