Stephen Aitch Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 We are trying to do our best to create a pretty airtight house.... Our Architect has suggested a joiner made front door. Will this be a huge source of air leakage? We are installing MVHR and ASHP and it will kill performance if the door lets wind through. Our current double glazed french patio doors let a gale blow through on windy days.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 In a low energy house, the front (and all) doors need to be both airtight and thermally efficient - i.e. low u value & no cold bridges (so a solid timber door is not a good idea). When closed, it needs to be secured against the frame to ensure the seals engage - multipoint locking is good for this. I'd be surprised if a joiner could make a door to meet that criteria, risk is that over time a timber door may shrink and airtightness deteriorate. We have a passive standard door from RK - foam core, aluminium structure, double seals etc - not cheap but we were aiming for a certain aesthetic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I would have preferred to use an oak front door to match our oak canopy Ive a friend with a workshop that would have made one for the price of the timber But conceded it wouldn’t be airtight and less so over time Sk I fitted a composite door 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willbish Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I have had a joiner make our front door. It's not yet installed so I can't comment on how it performs just yet. The joiner was responsive to the challenge of making something airtight and thermally efficient. I visited a few showrooms to take photos of the seal details and found tech drawings online. I think the door will perform very well during the airtightness test. With regard to thermal performance I think it will be a slight weak spot, although we used a triple glazed sealed unit and 50mm PIR sandwhich filling there are areas where there is solid timber. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) My front door (and frame) was made by the same joiners that made all my windows and bifolds, all in oak, I do have a closed porch to act as an airlock and it faces North. It fits tightly with multi point locking and is a very good fit.i would disagree that a GOOD joiner could not make a door like mine (it’s also foam cored). Edited June 27, 2020 by joe90 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitpipe Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 7 minutes ago, joe90 said: My front door (and frame) was made by the same joiners that made all my windows and bifolds, all in oak, I do have a closed porch to act as an airlock and it faces North. It fits tightly with multi point locking and is a very good fit.i would disagree that a GOOD joiner could not make a door like mine (it’s also foam cored). Ok, I concede the point - a good joiner could do it but you will need to be be clear on the requirements. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 41 minutes ago, Bitpipe said: Ok, I concede the point - a good joiner could do it but you will need to be be clear on the requirements. This is one my friend made for me at our last house Cost me £300 plus the glass It sealed up pretty well But like Joe mine was under cover While we have a large oak canopy on our new house The front door is open to the elements and would be likely to sell or contract One advantage with a timber frame is if the seals become damaged or crack they are very easily replaced Unlike UPVC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 door seals are easily replaced @nod you may be thinking of the glazing seals which may be co-extruded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 Just now, dpmiller said: door seals are easily replaced @nod you may be thinking of the glazing seals which may be co-extruded? No door seals are simply glued into a router Chanel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 I'm talking about upvc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 3 minutes ago, dpmiller said: I'm talking about upvc... I was talking about hardwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted June 27, 2020 Share Posted June 27, 2020 you said " One advantage with a timber frame is if the seals become damaged or crack they are very easily replaced Unlike UPVC " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 On 27/06/2020 at 19:24, dpmiller said: you said " One advantage with a timber frame is if the seals become damaged or crack they are very easily replaced Unlike UPVC " Yep simple to pick out UPVC are a nightmare to sort out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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