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

[Chippie]

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

Yup,
the bow window at the front of ours was measured by the window comp I used, they measured the brick to brick width and got it wrong….too late, I’d already removed the existing window, so had to make some packers for the width…wasted money!

 

[Onoff]

We have upvc double glazing here and I reckon traditional, single glazed windows would let less sound through with some of them!

I've addressed I think 3 so far. Removing the trim and the biggest gap so far was an inch.

My understanding is most surveyors would deliberately under measure the window. This allowed the fitters to do the quickest job possible and get onto the next job often in the same day. The thing they wanted to avoid most was having to get the angle grinder out! The more jobs sold and completed the more bonuses.

The ones I've removed the trim on there was no foam or expanding tape used just trim mitre bonded onto the frame. Bloody great gaps allowing the wind to howl through.

 

[Smallfry]

Pros say allow 10mm all round, I aim for about 5mm. Check hole for squareness. Wedge frame centrally into position. Check with spirit level all ways.
I then fit packers one side only, but NOT at mortar joints. Five each side on a frame and door that size, then drill through frame and packer into brick/blockwork and fix with masonry screws, just nipping them up. Then pack the other side and repeat, checking with spirit level.

Mask up frame and brickwork, spray gap with water and apply foam, but not too much. As said before, it will expand more than you think, and if it gets on the frame or bricks, it is right chump to get off, and will discolour the frame. When set, trim this back.

As for finishing, you can either stick finishing trims to make the gap smaller, but it will still need some sealer, or, if you have sized it right, a nice bead of sealer, which TBH I prefer, as the trims always seem to be a bit of a bodge.

As for sealer, you can use an acrylic frame sealer, or NEUTRAL CURE silicone, which lasts longer. If you are not confident in getting a good finish, there are mastic application specialists who will do it, and after spending £15k on that door, it will be best not to spoil it, and save yourself a handbagging from her (or him) indoors.

 

[Smallfry]

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..

That's a bit harsh, I have never eaten sh*t in me life.

 

[Onoff]

Before I discovered Illbrück FM330 I would use Soudal Low Expansion foam. Still pretty good tbh.

 

[skotl]

Cheers all - seems pretty straightforward then

Good point re enlisting a second pair of hands. If I play my cards right, and load him up with wine, then these hands will hopefully belong to a carpenter mate of mine so if he brings his brain along too we should be good to go!

 

[Chippie]

If I play my cards right, and load him up with wine, then these hands will hopefully belong to a carpenter mate of mine so if he brings his brain along too we should be good to go!

As long as his brain ain’t pickled with all the wine you loaded him up with….,

Good luck with the project..

 

[Morrisman]

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

No, the door is okay, you can't twist a door, the frame just needs one side bringing out 1/2" at the bottom. It works okay as it is, just needs a tug to close....

 

[northwest]

No, the door is okay, you can't twist a door, the frame just needs one side bringing out 1/2" at the bottom. It works okay as it is, just needs a tug to close....

There is a shop just down the way from me and every time I go in I get a headache. The main door is so hinge bound it isn't funny, it pulls and twists the frame as you push (with your shoulder, it is that bad) it shut. I have explained the problem to the owner on a number of occasions but I can see he doesn't understand. A couple bits of fag packet under the door side of the hinges would solve the problem but that is a tick in the "far too difficult" box.

 

[mtt.tr]

No, the door is okay, you can't twist a door, the frame just needs one side bringing out 1/2" at the bottom. It works okay as it is, just needs a tug to close....

You certainly can twist a door with heel and toe Packers.
t's not ideal but it works.


you are saying the frame isn't in winding

 

[Morrisman]

You certainly can twist a door with heel and toe Packers.
t's not ideal but it works.


you are saying the frame isn't in winding

It's hung on 3 hinges, where would you put packing to twist it out of flatness?

 

[northwest]

It's hung on 3 hinges

A pair and a half is what it's called.

 

[minimutly]

That's a bit harsh, I have never eaten sh*t in me life.

lol, good, then you haven't fitted windows in my mother's or my daughters house. Doorframes and window frames loose, trim on the inside onto wallpaper, no screws, total sh*t eaters. Paying good money to compromise your house. and to cap it all, nearly every "expert" I asked for a fix - the answer was "mmm, those windows are 7 years old, you need new ones".

 

[Onoff]

As an aside. Just bought a replacement 2G pane. 840x310x19.5mm. Mayflower pattern. £38 all in. Didn't think that too bad.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@skotl @RaceDiagnostics is your man for this sort of thing.....https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/squaring-up-a-door-frame.132133/page-5#post-2330282

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I'm sure @skotl has the skills, I'd just say a second pair of hands is pretty handy , and if these belong to a joiner then that's a bonus.