CRF Services Ltd

Front door fitting into existing openings

A front door takes more punishment than any other door in the house. It faces the weather, gets slammed several times a day and has to keep the heat in and intruders out. Front door fitting done properly means the door closes on its seals, the lock throws without forcing and the threshold sheds rain away from the hall. CRF Services Ltd fits timber and composite front doors into existing openings around Rochester and Medway. The work is described here in general terms, so you can see what is involved and what affects the price.

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Door only, or door and frame?

There are two kinds of front door job. The first is hanging a new door leaf in the existing frame, which suits a timber frame that is sound, square and not rotten at the foot. The door is trimmed to size, hinges and lock are cut in, and the door is hung to close evenly against the stops. The second is replacing the door and frame together as a set, which is usual with composite doors, as they are supplied pre hung in their own frame with the lock and hinges already fitted.

Composite door sets are made to measure, so the opening is measured carefully before ordering. Timber doors come in standard sizes and are trimmed on site, which is why they suit older houses with openings that are not quite standard.

How a front door is fitted

For a full door set, the old door and frame come out, the opening is cleaned up, and the new frame is set level and plumb, packed and fixed into the brickwork. The gap around the frame is filled and sealed inside and out. The threshold is bedded so water runs off, never back under the door. On a door leaf only job, the edges are planed to give an even gap, the hinge and lock positions are cut cleanly, and weather bars and draught seals are fitted.

Opening measured and checked for square
Old door and frame removed and opening made good
Frame set level, plumb and fixed through packers
Threshold bedded to shed water outside
Lock, letter plate and furniture fitted and tested
Gaps sealed and internal trim finished

Timber or composite?

Timber doors suit period houses and can be painted any colour, but need repainting every few years to stay weathertight. Composite doors are made from a reinforced shell over an insulated core and need little maintenance, though the choice of colour and style is set at ordering. Both can be secure if the lock is good. If the frame is part of a listed building or a conservation area, check with the council whether there are restrictions before choosing.

Front door fitting cost

There are no fixed prices for front door fitting on this page. The main cost factors are whether it is a door leaf only or a full door set, the type of door, whether you are supplying it, the condition of the existing frame and the brickwork around it, the lock and furniture, and how much making good is needed inside and out. A rotten frame or a damaged sill found when the old door comes out adds work, which is why photos of the bottom of the frame help at quotation stage.

Can I fit my own front door?

A confident DIYer can hang a timber door in a sound frame, but it is one of the harder door jobs because of the weight, the weather seals and the lock. Replacement external doors in England also need to meet building regulations for energy efficiency, which usually means using a competent person scheme installer or notifying building control. If you are unsure, ask before you buy. Internal doors are a simpler job, covered on door fitting.

Locks, handles and the rest

Once the door is hung, the lock, handles and letter plate are fitted and adjusted so the door locks smoothly. Changing internal handles and latches around the house is covered on door handles and locks. Front doors are part of the carpentry service. Send a photo of the door from inside and out, including the bottom of the frame, through the contact page.

This work is part of our Carpentry service.

Common questions