buying a new front door - advice please

[srisky]

Our front door is very draughty and, as it is recessed, fitting a door curtain would be either tricky or unsightly. Therefore, we are thinking of getting a new door - any advice on what factors to consider, how to measure up to ensure no draughts and recommendations of where to buy one.

Thanks

[Townleygreen]

is there no room for draught excluders to be fitted? It seems a little extreme to plump for a new door without trying that first?

[*Bob*]

If it's a trad/proper/victorian front door you're considering replacing - check out the potential eyewatering costs involved before you take the old one off the hinges..

"'ow much..!??"

[DulwichFox]

One of the big problems with buying a new front door is size..

You will almost certainly need to get it cut down to fit..

B&Q do not provide a cut down service and as far as I know neither doe Wickes..

Whittens in Peckham Hill Street has a good selection of doors and does provide a cutting down service.

(note) It is up to you to take accurate measurements of the door doorframe allowing for space for door to fit.

You will not get a refund if you make a mistake..

You then need to decide if your door is to be glazed.. and buy safety glass to your measurements..

Then you need to buy Door furniture.. Letterbox, Locks, Hinges and fittings..

Then you need Primer 2-3 coats / Paint 2 coats Which you can do yourself or get a painter to do it for you..

You need to insure that the door frame is strong enough to take the weight of your new door.

Safety glass is very heavy.

Then you need a good carpenter to fit your door..

It is an expensive procedure..

Good luck :)

DulwichFox

[Seabag]

I was quoted in the region of ?5 k

Considering the locks/security bars and all the furniture comes to around ?1500+ it is costly

You could take the care to get someone decent to rehang and add routered in quality draught excluders etc

If not go plastic

[Earl Aelfheah]

Seabag Wrote:

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> I was quoted in the region of ?5 k

Blimey, that is expensive. I was thinking of getting a new front door myself, but if that's the price I may have to rethink.

[Seabag]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> Seabag Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I was quoted in the region of ?5 k

>

> Blimey, that is expensive. I was thinking of

> getting a new front door myself, but if that's the

> price I may have to rethink.

For the real deal Victorian/ Banham lock 'Oooo look at my door' version + frame and fitting.

I'm sure off the peg may be cheaper

(*Bob* what were you quoted? i'm passing later so will slow down to see if you've gone all "London Door Company" at yours")

[*Bob*]

It wasn't me who needed the new door (fortunately) - it was a friend.

They highest quote they had was nearly ?6k! They settled on a 'budget' one but that still set them back nearly ?3k.

[Seabag]

I'd have been slightly suprised had you gone all LDC at yours, you being the invisible man of ED and all that

[*Bob*]

I wear the bandages at home for visibility - and slip them off to go down LL / stalk ???? in the Co-Op

[red devil]

I'd definitely try and draughtproof what you've got if it's an original Victorian 'heavyweight' door. Modern doors are so flimsy in comparison unless you go top spec, top dollar...

[srisky]

Thanks so much for the advice and the quotes - bloody hell, I had no idea they were that much. We will definitely look into draught proofing/rehanging the door.

Thanks again.

[Nigello]

What about a double-glazed one from somewhere like the place that does sash windows on the parade of shops near Dulwich Library?

[????]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> I wear the bandages at home for visibility - and

> slip them off to go down LL / stalk ???? in the

> Co-Op

yup sorry, I will buy your Big Issue soon. Maybe next Saturday?

[malumbu]

Doors place on Kirkdale in Sydenham, tell the tall gent that Malumbu sent you. He can sort out a capenter too.

Otherwise the Old Bath House in Sydenham, tell Pete that Malumbu sent you, his missis doesn't seem to know very much. It's a treasure trove of reclamation.

[heartblock]

3k. Have it fitted professionally, but paint it yourself to save....... Another 1k! I think we used London Doors or something like that - 10 year guarantee if you agree to paint it within a week if I'm recalling the contract details accurately.

[Designerjooles]

Srisky - you've messaged me and I can't message back as its saying your mailbox is full.

Please let me know when I can reply :)