External door replacement

[oldkettle]

Our neighbours have replaced two sets of French doors at the back with a slider and offered the old one to us for free including the cill. We originally planned to use it for the outbuilding but realised it may be better to swap our terrible single glazed metal frame external double door instead. So before we go for it I want to make sure we aren't missing anything important which would make it a bad idea. 

 

1. The width matches almost perfectly, 1500mm doors vs about 1520 between the brick walls. 

2. The height of the doors is 2100 vs 2300+ available, will need an extra panel there 

3. The house as it is is insulated quite badly so I don't think we need to worry about cold bridging. 

 

So to the questions

Very roughly how much should I expect to pay to have it installed - we are in Surrey? 300? 500? 

Should I consider DIY will I need anything apart from expanding foam to fill the gaps/sealant? What is the easiest to install / least expensive option for the top panel? 

 

[PeterW]

Easy to do, if you take your your time.

 

Bed the cill on  to a wet mortar mix with a strip of DPC stapled to the bottom of the cill. This takes up any uneven brickwork.  

 

For the sides, just use these to fix the frame to the brickwork with packers either side of each screw. Measure the frame for square across the diagonals and check it still closes and locks before you tighten too much. Try and get packers behind hinges too if possible. 
 

For the top, I would make up a frame of CLS and then add a middle brace and screw it to the top of the door and to each side with a spare frame fixer. Infil with some insulation - doesn’t matter what but PIR or EPS would be best, then  fit a front panel made of 9mm ply and glue and screw it all the way round. You can add cover strips or detail on the edges after. Same on the inside, you’re looking to cover 200mm which is nothing really. 
 

Once it’s all leveled and plumb, round the edge carefully with some foam and then leave to dry, trim back and a bead of sealant. 

[oldkettle]

36 minutes ago, PeterW said:

make up a frame of CLS

Thank you Peter 

 

CLS is 63mm, top, bottom, I am left with less than 100mm to fill 🙂

 

Most packers I can find in wickes/screwfis/toolstation are no more than 6mm, is this because 10mm is too much or do I just need to check specialised stores? 

[PeterW]

Packers you just stack up - just use Broad Pack or similar.