Composite doors

[lurker]

Anyone had dealings with this company?
http://www.grpcompositedoors.com/compos ... ompany.php
Thinking of buying one of their doors

 

[No skills]

Well I used justdoors.co.uk which appear to have the same business address as the website you listed. I brought a composite front door made to measure and have been 95% happy with it and the service was fine.
It didn't get 100% because one of the glazing beads for the top light in the door frame wasn't cut to the right length (too long), not a problem for me but it obviously wasn't checked when they cut it and if someone didn't have the means to cut it on fitting day then there's a problem.

I will be ordering a couple of windows from their other site soon, hopefully they will be fine as well.

Hth

 

[lurker]

Thanks, that's encouraging

The attractions are:

No painting!
All I need to do is fit the frame and everything else will just click in.
All furniture is inclusive

I list the above to get constructive comment, including "you are an idiot!"

My main concern is the threshold, I don't want anything to increase the step height or any trip.

 

[No skills]

The threshold on our new door is a bit higher than our old timber door/frame. If it's a problem maybe see if they can supply something low profile.

 

[No skills]

I wanted to make a timber door but time and priorities have changed, we may not even be staying here now so I needed a finished door in the shortest, easiest way with no messing - apart from actually spending a few hours fitting it and some more time to be spent making good it has met those targets.

 

[lurker]

I wanted to make a timber door but time and priorities have changed, we may not even be staying here now so I needed a finished door in the shortest, easiest way with no messing - apart from actually spending a few hours fitting it and some more time to be spent making good it has met those targets.

Thanks

Am I right in thinking the work and accuracy thereof is just getting the frame spot on?
Everything else related to hanging a door has already been done

 

[No skills]

Very roughly speaking...

Order the frame a bit smaller than the hole, this allows for some packing to square it up.

Put frame in hole and get it level/plumb and pack out with plastic wedges/shims where needed.

Pilot holes in frame and drill through into brickwork (not mortar), use appropriate sized fixings - some use frame fixings I used concrete screws.
Careful as you tighten fixings so you don't pull the frame out of shape or square, keep checking nothing's moved after every hole drilled/fixing done.

Hang door back in frame and get the handles/lock on it, adjust hinges if needed so it's shuts against frame/weather proofing properly.

Try the locking gear and adjust the keeps and latch box on the frame if needed, when you lift the handle on the door to lock it the hooks (or whatever is used on your door) should slide into the frame keeps easily - if there's resistance then something is catching and needs adjusting.

Expanding foam round the frame to fill any gaps between it and the masonry, go easy with the foam, you can always refoam any missed bits after the first lot has gone off.

That's about it. Please note your councils building control will want to see a certain amount of fixings used in the correct places and of the correct size, can't remember the specifics offhand - have a Google!

Hth

 

[Lons]

Why do you remove the door from the frame No Skills? Not saying you're wrong but I've fitted loads of composite doors over the last 10 years and never felt the need to do that.
Fitted one to my front porch just a few weeks ago (as pic) and an identical design here and waiting to replace my front door.

All I do is sit the door in the opening on a couple of packers, check with levels how it's sitting then open the door and support while I drill and fix the hinge side of the frame plumb. Close the door again and mark where the frame sits the open up, check levels and plumb again and stick in a couple of fixings. I use frame fixings btw. Try the door for opening, locking etc and stick in the remaining fixings.
Usually the door needs minimal or no adjustment as it's been done at the factory and is locked into place for delivery.

You can definitely buy these doors with low thresh and disability access thresh as well, Our back door is that though I fitted it on a cill. I have had no dealings with the company you mention as I use a local company for my doors and windows.

Photo was taken with the installation not completely finished. The door is plumb and level but photo looks a bit odd, must be the camera angle.
Bob

 

[No skills]

Hi Bob.
It's not a given at all, I found my front door and frame unwieldy at 2.4 high so I took the door out. I fitted my back door with the door still on the frame and the bastid heavy steel security doors we use at work I also fit with the door still on the frame.
Horses for courses, one thing I will say tho is if the doors still on the frame (sitting on packing off the floor) it's just a touch harder to fine tune the frame for plumb, well harder is the wrong word - more of a faff

 

[Lons]

Hi Bob.
It's not a given at all, I found my front door and frame unwieldy at 2.4 high so I took the door out. I fitted my back door with the door still on the frame and the bastid heavy steel security doors we use at work I also fit with the door still on the frame.
Horses for courses, one thing I will say tho is if the doors still on the frame (sitting on packing off the floor) it's just a touch harder to fine tune the frame for plumb, well harder is the wrong word - more of a faff

It's what you get used to I guess as I find it pretty easy. The doors are heavy though :lol:

I haven't had time to fit the other one yet and my missus having had her first hip replacement 7 weeks ago had the other one done on Thursday so have to pick her up from hospital this afternoon. I'm a bit p****d off with the housework and the dog hairs at the minute. Fast forward 6 weeks or so and we'll be hunky dory hopefully.

 

[No skills]

Hi Bob

Hope the wife recovers quickly, both for her health and your housework woes

 

[lurker]

Went to their office yesterday. It's only 15 miles away, like you say NS same company as just doors.

There is no show room but by looking at doors waiting to be delivered swmbo decided the combinations she wants.
The office manager was a helpful chap.
We are have a wheelchair threshold which is no trip which was a criteria of mine as most plastic door frames are hurdles for the elderly (am planning ahead )
All in it was £640 so I am well pleased.

I have never fitted a plastic frame so I want to tap into the pool of knowledge here.

I plan to use these

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Screws+ ... ing/p97434

Assume frame depth plus 50mm into the brick will be long enough?
How many would you suggest up each vertical? I thought about 4" from top and bottom and 2 more equidistant
And one mid point on the horizontal

The thing I am anxious about is the fixing distorting the frame. I am aware I need to use packing .

 

[woodpig]

This is interesting.

http://youtu.be/-eEutih06o4

Hopefully no foam in the one you're getting.

 

[lurker]

Are you trying to cheer me up?

But yes interesting. I think any frame would give way before you could get the hole in it.
I "think" mines solid, pity I did not see this before handing over the dosh yesterday but what's done is done?


Just checked the paperwork evidently if I have a break in via the door they will replace foc and give me £500 compo

 

[lurker]

swmbo has just pointed out the current wood and glass panels would fail just the same.

 

[No skills]

If you want to meet building regs there are guides on fixing sizes and placements. I can't remember the details but I think you'll want longer fixings than that - best have a Google and check.

 

[lurker]

Cheers just read though those. What a load of BS!

The door is way over all minimum standards from security and insulation PoV
Says 40mm penetration is minimum, but I have already decided on 75 after having a think.
Also I will put 4 up each jamb and 2 in the head.
This is over kill but I think it wil make the work easier.

I see I am supposed to inform the council. Sod that for a lark!

Thanks for your advice NS

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Lurker - you will find something like these easier and more accurate -
http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-396639/forg ... 0wod0UUBww
as you can let them off more easily to adjust the packing if you pull the thing out of square. You can do it several times and they still screw up tight.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I fitted a new frame for a 3' solid door at my place 20 years ago - a west facing storm lashed gable end in W.Cornwall. It hasn't moved one iota in that time. There is no fixing other than P.U. foam.

 

[lurker]

Lurker - you will find something like these easier and more accurate -
http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-396639/forg ... 0wod0UUBww
as you can let them off more easily to adjust the packing if you pull the thing out of square. You can do it several times and they still screw up tight.

Looks interesting my main worry was easing for adjustment.
Thanks Phil