Changing a double glazed door myself?
Changing a double glazed door myself?
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Discussion

Mark300zx

Original Poster:

1,430 posts

268 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
Evening sages of PH!

I am contemplating the above, the double-glazed unit looks fairly ancient and, I am concerned that if I order a new one the hinges may not be exchangeable?

IJWS15

2,017 posts

101 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
Are you changing the door or the glazed unit?

Is the door timber, plastic or composite?

Is the frame timber or plastic?


Mark300zx

Original Poster:

1,430 posts

268 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
The door and the frame are uvpc.

I was going to change the whole doors as the handle is knackered, the glass is a dated floral pattern and some of the lock rebates are rusted to buggery!

J6542

2,722 posts

60 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
Mark300zx said:
The door and the frame are uvpc.

I was going to change the whole doors as the handle is knackered, the glass is a dated floral pattern and some of the lock rebates are rusted to buggery!
You can’t just change the door sash, you need to change the frame as well. It will all come as one when you buy it.

Mark300zx

Original Poster:

1,430 posts

268 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
So it may easier and cheaper to change the ironmongery and glass myself?

OutInTheShed

11,580 posts

42 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
You might get a door made to fit an existing frame, if you talk to a local firm.
Possibly a firm that does repairs.


J6542

2,722 posts

60 months

Tuesday 4th March
quotequote all
Mark300zx said:
So it may easier and cheaper to change the ironmongery and glass myself?
Changing the glass, handle and barrel should be easy enough. Finding the bits for all the gearing might be harder. If the door is as old as you think it might be more cost effective to buy a complete new door.

andy43

11,666 posts

270 months

Wednesday 5th March
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I’d just change the whole door and frame. Latest tech insulation, seals, glazing, hinges and locks all included and it all comes set up and ready built mounted in the frame. Hardest part is getting the frame dead square so the locks work smoothly.
Sourcing, fitting and setting up a multipoint locking system into an existing upvc door of unknown age sounds like a pita, even if you can find a like for like replacement that doesn’t need bits routing out or drilling.

V8 Animal

6,014 posts

226 months

Wednesday 5th March
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Just buy a new door much easier.

JimM169

698 posts

138 months

Wednesday 5th March
quotequote all
Just a heads up and may or may not be a concern for you but if you do change the whole door yourself I think you're supposed to get local authority sign off.


vaud

55,281 posts

171 months

Wednesday 5th March
quotequote all
JimM169 said:
Just a heads up and may or may not be a concern for you but if you do change the whole door yourself I think you're supposed to get local authority sign off.
I thought that can't be right, but apparently so:

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-...

Mark300zx

Original Poster:

1,430 posts

268 months

Wednesday 5th March
quotequote all
Sod that, they can sign my left butt cheek!

Shooter McGavin

8,237 posts

160 months

Wednesday 5th March
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We have this issue at my Mum's house, the locking mechanism on her kitchen door is 25yrs old and made of unobtanium, solution is a new door and frame.

I can't quite believe that those pencil-necked desk jockeys in the civil service have mandated that these need to be professionally installed.

Any competent DIY-er can do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84_U-JIVAVY

Jeez - I see the OP is in London. Looking on a random (Lambeth) council website the Building Regs fees are astronomical, far in excess of what it would cost to get a FENSA person to install it.

I need a career change!

ETA: my mum's front porch was replaced 12 months ago by a so-called approved installer and the door fit is absolutely abysmal. He's been back three times to try and fail to rectify it to no avail. Could have done a better job myself.

Edited by Shooter McGavin on Wednesday 5th March 10:24

bazza white

3,671 posts

144 months

Wednesday 5th March
quotequote all
vaud said:
JimM169 said:
Just a heads up and may or may not be a concern for you but if you do change the whole door yourself I think you're supposed to get local authority sign off.
I thought that can't be right, but apparently so:

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-...
Depends how much glazing is in the door. Most don't require it.


I did huge amounts of work on my renovation but decided to let a window company sort the windows. I should have done it myself after their shoddy work tbh. It's one of the regrets on this house. A few days work and I could have saved over 3k.

Edited by bazza white on Wednesday 5th March 11:38