DIY Patio door replacement

Author
Discussion

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
We have an old aluminium sliding exterior door that we'd like to replace with french doors, likely UPVC or possibly wood if budget allows.

How straight forward is this generally for a semi competent DIYer? Not something I've attempted before but on the face of it doesn't look too challenging (famous last words).

While I'm here, any particular recommendations for suppliers?

JimM169

405 posts

123 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Never done it myself but after watching the guys who did ours the other year it's not rocket science and I'd be tempted to do it myself next time.

Bear in mind that this is probably covered by FENSA so may cause an issue if you want to sell in the future, however you can get an indemnity to cover this if needed

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Much appreciated chaps and thanks for the links.

bigdom

2,086 posts

146 months

Thursday 6th November 2014
quotequote all
Reasonably easy. Measure the door accurately, cross diagonals and various stages up the frame once you've found the smallest figure, subtract another 5/10mm for squaring up.

When installing, everything is set from the cill, have it 5mm off bottom so you can seal it, if this is level, everything else will go in easy. Frame fixings, foam gun the holes, fill edges with sealant. If PVC, trim edges over the top, superglued, will end up nice and tidy. Job done.

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
bigdom said:
Reasonably easy. Measure the door accurately, cross diagonals and various stages up the frame once you've found the smallest figure, subtract another 5/10mm for squaring up.

When installing, everything is set from the cill, have it 5mm off bottom so you can seal it, if this is level, everything else will go in easy. Frame fixings, foam gun the holes, fill edges with sealant. If PVC, trim edges over the top, superglued, will end up nice and tidy. Job done.
Brilliant, thank you.

Simpo Two

85,526 posts

266 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
Makes you wonder how they fitted windows before foam and sealant was invented!

Neil - YVM

1,310 posts

200 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
JimM169 said:
Bear in mind that this is probably covered by FENSA so may cause an issue if you want to sell in the future, however you can get an indemnity to cover this if needed
You can do this yourself without being Fensa registered, you simply to this work under a building notice, from your local Building Control at the council, and they will then issue a completion certificate. So then no issues when time to sell.

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
quotequote all
A little update on this. I've done nothing!

I did measure the door though and its around 2.3m high which appears to be way out the standard height range. What's the best approach to this? Custom made door fit some sort od additional lintel above to reduce overall height?

Piersman2

6,599 posts

200 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
quotequote all
Gad-Westy said:
A little update on this. I've done nothing!

I did measure the door though and its around 2.3m high which appears to be way out the standard height range. What's the best approach to this? Custom made door fit some sort od additional lintel above to reduce overall height?
Either go on line onto one of the miriad of websites that will supply custom made to measure units, or contact a decent local fitter who will measure, supply and fit a set of doors for a bit extra.

I've done both, to be honest it's worth just getting in a decent local company to do it. You can get a price online first so you know you're not getting ripped off .

I would guess a decent set of upvc doors would be about £900 to £1000 to fit yourself, you could probably find a local company that would do the whole lot for about £1250.

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
quotequote all
Piersman2 said:
Either go on line onto one of the miriad of websites that will supply custom made to measure units, or contact a decent local fitter who will measure, supply and fit a set of doors for a bit extra.

I've done both, to be honest it's worth just getting in a decent local company to do it. You can get a price online first so you know you're not getting ripped off .

I would guess a decent set of upvc doors would be about £900 to £1000 to fit yourself, you could probably find a local company that would do the whole lot for about £1250.
Cheers. Those are the sort of numbers I've been quoted thus far. Likely to end up opting for the local option inc fitting as the percentage of fitting vs total cost seems barely worth scrimping on. Appreciate the pointers.

darronwall

1,730 posts

197 months

Sunday 1st March 2015
quotequote all
a good set of veka doors in white is £720 inc vat delivered but can only be 2150mm high so its either panel the gap or give another 80 for a toplight,fitting about 180 quid on top

oh,its mi job! 1000 quid supply only is robbery!!!

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
darronwall said:
a good set of veka doors in white is £720 inc vat delivered but can only be 2150mm high so its either panel the gap or give another 80 for a toplight,fitting about 180 quid on top

oh,its mi job! 1000 quid supply only is robbery!!!
Thanks. What are the options for panelling the gap? Didn't realise that a top light is an option. Could see that working well.

darronwall

1,730 posts

197 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
some timber and a pvc flatboard,it would look ok as it would only be 100mm
to get a toplight integrated to the frame the doors would have to be a 2m set and the glass in the toplight would be about 100/150mm

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
darronwall said:
some timber and a pvc flatboard,it would look ok as it would only be 100mm
to get a toplight integrated to the frame the doors would have to be a 2m set and the glass in the toplight would be about 100/150mm
Cheers. Shame you're not nearby!

darronwall

1,730 posts

197 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
we have vans and fuel!! never turn work away us

Gad-Westy

Original Poster:

14,574 posts

214 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
quotequote all
darronwall said:
we have vans and fuel!! never turn work away us
I may well be in touch soon. smile