Low threshold doors?

[yar1950]

Hi all, I have a new build bungalow, my double glazier said that the new front door has to be a low threshold because of the new laws for wheelchair access.
He has put it on the dampcourse level the same as the other outer doors. The thresshold of the door now sticks up about 2 inches too high. Dosen't a low threshold door have to drop a course to be level with the finished floor? The glazier says no the screed should come up to the top of the threshold. I already have a 3inch screed, it would mean putting another 2 inches of screed over the whole bottom floor. This would also put out the first tread on the stairs and also make my inner doorframes 2 inches lower.
Any advice on this please.

Ray

 

[noseall]

screed! what screed? as you say if you already have a finished floor then he's talking out of his behind.

common sense would say, that if a builder were to install a new door into an opening that requires wheelchair access, then that door could be made so that it fits to a course lower than dpc.

it's a simple case of measuring the frame to the top of the course below, then remove that course of bricks when the new frame arrives. it could be made so that there are fitting tolerances, that allow the installer flexibility to jiggle the frame around so that the door clears the inside floor level when opened.

any gaps top or bottom can be made up with masonry, trims or otherwise.

 

[yar1950]

Hi again Noseall, thanks yet again for your advice. Most of the trades that I have had have been excellent but the double glazing firm and the plastering firm seem to be trying it on . They both seem to be making mistakes and then trying to blame each other.
As you say , it is obvious that the door needs going down a course but they are just reluctent to put things right.


Regards
Ray

 

[yar1950]

Hi Noseall, thought I would give you the follow up as of a matter of interest.
The front door frame was already in at the time of screed and I did think then it was too high. I phoned the double glaziers today and said that I want them to lower the door frame, he complained that it was not the right way to go about things and told me to phone the building inspector to prove he was right.
I phoned the building inspector and he told me that the frame they have used should not have the 50mm threshold on the bottom. The door is designed so that the rubber and ally strip on top of the threshold goes straight onto the dampcourse. He also said that the ally and rubber strip will be 10mm higher than the screed but when the carpet and underlay is fitted it makes a perfect wheelchair access.
The 50mm threshold was not even fixed to the frame so I guess it was designed so the door can be low or normal threshold.
He is now comming over this afternoon to lower the frame.

Ray

 

[noseall]

result.