Advice on recently fitted door please?

[ChrisMK1974]

Hi All, recently had a UPVC back door installed from one of the National companies. When properly closed, i.e handle all the way up to ensure door is sealed we were getting wind whistling through the bottom of the door. I also noticed when the door was closed a gap between the door and the frame on the outside. They've been out a few times and today made some adjustments, I'll have to wait for wind in order to see if the wind issue is solved! however they tell me the gap is normal, I'm not sure if they're just fobbing me off. At the bottom the gap is approximately 5-6mm and you can see the screws securing the frame to the wall. Is this gap normal?

 

[diy_fun_uk]

That sort of gap isn't normal. It almost looks as if the frame doesn't have any gasket fitted in the vertical section for the door to push against when it's closed. If you look at these pics (just randomly taken off the internet) you can see the gasket in the door frame (this gasket is black but comes in various colours.) So when the door is closed and the locking mechanism is engaged, the outer face of the door pushes against this and creates a seal. Note the frame gasket would normally go around the entire frame i.e. top, bottom and sides. Does the frame have a gasket fitted? The door itself will also have a gasket that seals against the inside face of the frame, however the frame itself would normally have a gasket also.

 

[ChrisMK1974]

Hi thanks for your reply there is a seal fitted to the door and the frame, pictured. The gap visible from the outside is so wide I can get a screwdriver onto the frame bolt with the door closed and the locking mechanism engaged!

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Even though there's a gasket on the frame, to me the fact you can easily get a screwdriver to the inside of the frame from outside when the door's closed can't be right. To have a gap like that surely can't be part of the design. Without meaning to alarm you it could surely be a security risk as an intruder has easy means to push something into the gap to create leverage? I'm not saying they'd succeed, however the visible gap could be tempting? If it's the case that everything's in order with the installation i.e. that's the way it's designed, I'd be putting an additional gasket on the outer face of the frame, thus meaning the gap is no longer visible when the door is closed. The only thing you'd have to watch is that the additional gasket isn't too thick so as to impede the sealing against the existing gasket, if that makes sense.

However let's be honest, for a newly installed door, you shouldn't need to be mucking about putting on additional gaskets to seal gaps!

 

[ChrisMK1974]

Appreciate your response there is still a draught so I’ll be calling them back tomorrow....again!! This is an Anglian door and wasn’t cheap. Just wanted opinions on the gap, as there telling me it’s fine! I’m guessing the gap is caused by incorrect adjustment or similar

 

[crank39]

Is the door south facing?

 

[ChrisMK1974]

No west facing

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Appreciate your response there is still a draught so I’ll be calling them back tomorrow....again!! This is an Anglian door and wasn’t cheap. Just wanted opinions on the gap, as there telling me it’s fine! I’m guessing the gap is caused by incorrect adjustment or similar

If they're stating the gap is designed in, they should be able to prove it. If they assert the gap is to be expected, ask to see installation literature inclusive of cut-through plan diagrams that show the gap.

If that gap is a provable part of the design then fine, however I'd be very surprised if that's the case. I'm with you, something's not right whether flawed installation or failure at manufacturing stage.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[ChrisMK1974]

If they're stating the gap is designed in, they should be able to prove it. If they assert the gap is to be expected, ask to see installation literature inclusive of cut-through plan diagrams that show the gap.

If that gap is a provable part of the design then fine, however I'd be very surprised if that's the case. I'm with you, something's not right whether flawed installation or failure at manufacturing stage.

Let us know how you get on.

I will and thanks