D.I.Y, supply-only Installation of your new composite door is fairly straighforward, but please take the time to read this installation guide to ensure you are confident in completing the installation yourself. If you do not feel that you’ll be able to install your new door, our professional, experienced installation team will happily deliver and install your door (removing and disposing of your old door if required) – See our Installation Service for details.
Installation Guide
Before You Start
Do not remove the door from the packaging until you have checked:
- The paperwork to ensure it’s the right specification.
- The sizes are correct before the existing door is removed.
- And you’ve checked for any damage.
Removing The Existing Door
Remove the existing door leaf.
To help reduce the damage to wall decorations and plaster, score around the perimeter of the frame with a craft knife. Saw through the jambs and remove.
The best way to do this is by sawing diagonally in the centre and removing them in two sections. Do not saw them all the way through as this can cause damage to the internal ‘reveals’ or structure. If there is a chance this will happen, use a bearing block to protect the plaster and render, then lever the jambs away from the walls and complete the cuts. Remove the top and bottom rails in the same way.
Preparing The Opening
Once the door has been removed, ensure the opening is free from screws, nails, fillers and sealant.
Repair as required in accordance with BPF recommendations.
The opening should be complete before fitting the door.
Check there’s a lintel or other load transferring structure fitted above the doorway.
Door Alignment
The positioning of the door within the brickwork is vital to the correct functioning of the door:
- Door outerframe set back as far as possible to reduce exposure to elements
- Bridge the wall cavity
- Cover the DPC
- Frame is square and not twisted
Door Set Installation
1. Offer complete door unit into the brickwork opening.
2. Hold frame into position using appropriate size wedge packers. Packers must be located adjacent to fixing positions to prevent distortion of the outer frame when frame fixings are tightened. Failure to adhere to this may result in door function issues.
3. Spirit level (1.5m Long) should be used to ensure jambs are square and plumb in all planes.
4. It is recommended that you remove the door leaf from the hinges to make the outer frame easier to fix into brickwork aperture. Once square and plumb, fix as per instructions (supplied with your door).
5. Pack the bottom of the door leaf at the leading edge to assist getting square into outer frame.
6. Fix Decorative Hardware as per instructions (supplied with your door).
7. Seal around the perimeter. Silicone sealant or similar suitable product should be used to seal around the perimeter of the newly installed composite door frame. Ensure that an adequate barrier is formed to prevent water ingress or air leakage. Care must be taken to ensure that the drainage slots are not blocked when sealing around the aluminium low threshold.
Notice for Doors Supplied with Butt Hinges – Our Composite Doors supplied with butt hinges are fixed to the door frame with two screws per hinge for transportation purposes only. There are two more screws per hinge supplied with the door. To make the installation easier we recommend the door leaf is removed from its frame before fixing. Ensure the door frame is square within the aperture before securing to the brickwork, then re-attach the door leaf to the fixed frame whilst making sure you have an equal gap around the door leaf. It is important that all supplied hinge screws are used.
In addition to the above, a fully illustrated installation guide will be supplied with your door
