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Our builder has recently installed a large aluminium sliding door. The frame includes a "thermal spacer" that is between the inside and outside frames. The manufacturer claims this will insulate the inside frame and stop it getting cold. Following installation, we have found that we frequently get condensation on the frame (but not the glass). If I clean the condensation, it returns in about 24 hours. The builder says this is because we have too much humidity and not enough ventilation. I have purchased a humidity meter and read up on the science of dew points and and the installation instructions for the window system: Our humidity level is typically 50-55%. This seems pretty normal and nothing exceptional. The calcs suggest that with an internal temperature of 20°C and humidity of 50%, the dew point is 9.3°C. This means condensation is expected to form below this temperature. It is colder than this outside for most of the winter. The installation instructions for the window system say the cill should be on plastic packers to insulate it from the masonry and the frame should be fixed through the thermal spacer (plastic bar). I think our cill sits directly on the masonry and is held in with metal clips that connect it to the masonry. Taken together, I think the problem is that our frame isn't correctly insulated from the masonry, the frame gets cold and this leads to the condensation. Please can I ask: a. Is it normal for aluminium frames to be very cold on the inside? Is condensation normal? b. Is it most likely caused by our (excess) humidity, poor frame design or incorrect installation? c. Is my explanation plausible or is there something else I have missed?

Has anyone retro fitted a smart lock on an aluminium front door? We're looking at Origin doors and are interested in fitting a smart lock afterwards, but want to be sure this will be possible. Neither the manufacturer nor the supplier/installer seems very clued up on this, the only answer we've really got is that the door could be supplied with no lock. This sounds fine, but we'd need to know we could get a smart lock to fit the door before we invest in an expensive door! My next step is to follow up with smart lock suppliers but it would be great to hear of any first hand experience from people on here. Many thanks, Liz