Leaking inward opening patio doors. Options?

[flanajb]

I made a pair of inward opening patio doors for our house some time ago. The frame was purchased from a builders merchants and it has a storm threshold fitted. I rebated the bottom of the doors accordingly, but the driving rain against the doors always finds its way in and we end up with puddles on the inside. I fitted an aluminium drip guard on the exterior of the doors, but to no avail.

Short of replacing with a set of outward opening, does anyone have any possible suggestions that I might be able to use to stop water ingress?

I was thinking of making a set of folding doors, but even if I reuse the double glaze units, the hardware alone is about £300/£400 before I have even purchased the timber.


Thanks

 

[Giff]

Can you let in a "macclesfield step"…. not sure of the other names for them. Most of Europe use a similar system for windows as well and they don't let water in as long as the holes don't get blocked / painted. I made a "french style" window and machined the "step" out of oak as part of the frame and it can dispurse a lot of water. Geoff

 

[flanajb]

Can you let in a "macclesfield step"…. not sure of the other names for them. Most of Europe use a similar system for windows as well and they don't let water in as long as the holes don't get blocked / painted. I made a "french style" window and machined the "step" out of oak as part of the frame and it can dispurse a lot of water. Geoff

Having googled "macclesfield step", that looks just the ticket. I am sure that will do the job perfectly!

Thanks

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yes, that is what you need, although you may struggle to find one long enough for a pair of doors. When I was looking for them I could only find ones long enough for a standard front door.
If you do find one, make sure it is designed for inward opening. They are available for both Inward and Outward and the geometry is different.
S

 

[flanajb]

Yes, that is what you need, although you may struggle to find one long enough for a pair of doors. When I was looking for them I could only find ones long enough for a standard front door.
If you do find one, make sure it is designed for inward opening. They are available for both Inward and Outward and the geometry is different.
S

This company does an 1800mm inward opening one.

http://www.northwesthardware.co.uk/prod ... ?xProd=293

 

[MMUK]

Any double glazing fabricator will stock them in 5m lengths anodised in either silver or gold. All it is is a low aluminium threshold and they are reversible for O/I or O/O doors. The Rehau one is probably best as it's only, IIRC, 45mm wide x 12mm high. all you need to do is drill a couple of drainage holes in the outside skin when you've cut it to length.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Things have obviously moved on since I was in the market for them. Good.
S

 

[MMUK]

Or Ironmongery Direct do a Macclex designed of O/I doors.

Just drill a couple of 5mm drainage holes in the chamfered section at the lower front.

 

[Giff]

Yes I am sure they will work but keep an eye on the drainage holes as they easily get blocked on a door with muddy boots and shoes. Geoff

 

[blackrodd]

Or Ironmongery Direct do a Macclex designed of O/I doors.

Just drill a couple of 5mm drainage holes in the chamfered section at the lower front.

If you have Rebated the door for the water bar, and you have a door "drip" fitted to the outside, and assuming it all fits snuggy, then i would suggest that the doors are taking in the rain through the rebate on the meeting stiles.
Particularly if the opening faces the worst weather, can you fit something to break up the wind and rain?An arbour roof and some trellis?
An easy test would be for you to stick some water proof tape from the outside, and check for some improvement.Or nail, screw, fix a 50 mmx 10 mm capping in front of the rebate?
Those Macclesfield wotsits are really good and effective but sadly don't fit in with the 200, or 300 year old cottage look, that I do a lot with.
The only other improvement you could make to existing at the cill level would be to fit a small draught excluder for the door bottom to "sit" on, and you would be surprised how much difference 3 water grooves under the door drip makes, as opposed to the usual 1.
Should I be correct and the tempory tape has stopped the water ingress at the meeting stile rebate,you could Use the same draught excluder and fix, inside the rebate and see if that works. HTH Regards Rodders

 

[Benchwayze]

I made a pair of inward opening patio doors for our house some time ago. The frame was purchased from a builders merchants and it has a storm threshold fitted. I rebated the bottom of the doors accordingly, but the driving rain against the doors always finds its way in and we end up with puddles on the inside. I fitted an aluminium drip guard on the exterior of the doors, but to no avail.

Short of replacing with a set of outward opening, does anyone have any possible suggestions that I might be able to use to stop water ingress?

I was thinking of making a set of folding doors, but even if I reuse the double glaze units, the hardware alone is about £300/£400 before I have even purchased the timber.


Thanks

Flanjay,

My patio access door is nothing more than an enlarged window casement. Tilt and turn. As with all my casements, with the handle pointing upwards it hinges at the bottom, and becomes a hopper-type widow. With the handle horizontal, it hinges on the left, and becomes an inward opening door. Handle pointing down, door is closed and locked with eight bolts operated by the handle.

You might be able to get a UPVC frame makers to build you one with such a casement fitted. Probably an expensive modification, but then mine has never leaked to date fitted twenty years ago. (Needs a new glazing unit, but hey ho, WTH? I have heavy curtains! )

John