To DIY or not to DIY

[FSM with Cheddar]

I’m planning on replacing my front door (currently wooden) with a uPVC door. Should I go for the DIY route, or pay someone to do it for me?

Has anyone attempted to do it themselves, only to wish they had paid? (I’m still talking about doors!!)

[tim123]

I’m planning on replacing my front door (currently wooden) with a uPVC door. Should I go for the DIY route, or pay someone to do it for me?

Has anyone attempted to do it themselves, only to wish they had paid? (I’m still talking about doors!!)

Yes and no.

It isn't a one man job, but if you have a second hand it's not a difficult DIY.

tim

[basshead]

I thought this was a contractor forum. Have your man replace it with something made of gold. Or a f**k off diamond.

[gingerjedi]

Why would anyone want a horrible UPVC door? Get a decent wooden one and paint it properly, you'll spend the next 3 years shaving bits off and repainting the edges every time it gets a bit damp but it looks much nicer.

HTH

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Pay someone else to do it.

[swamp]

I’m planning on replacing my front door (currently wooden) with a uPVC door. Should I go for the DIY route, or pay someone to do it for me?

Has anyone attempted to do it themselves, only to wish they had paid? (I’m still talking about doors!!)

Hanging a door is hard. You'll never do as good a job as a carpenter, and it will take you four times as long (and you'll need assistance too). And as it's your front door, you have to get the job done in one go; you can't just slope off down the pub and finish it the day after...

[Diver]

Hanging a door is hard. You'll never do as good a job as a carpenter, and it will take you four times as long (and you'll need assistance too). And as it's your front door, you have to get the job done in one go; you can't just slope off down the pub and finish it the day after...

WHS

Alignment of the frame has to be perfect or you will have nothing but trouble with the door ever after.
Fixing the frame must also be perfect or it will start to shake loose with use.
Sealing must be good or it will leak.

Get a professional to fit it or you will regret it.

[Spacecadet]

My dad has developed a very good technique over the years for hanging doors they are a very good fit, no catching and no draughts. He's a very keen DIYer, has been for 40+ years and a perfectionist, he might take 10 times longer than a pro but quite often the job is done better and with less mess.

Even so, when it came to getting a new front door even he gets a carpenter in - just to make sure

[NickFitz]

Hanging a door is hard. You'll never do as good a job as a carpenter, and it will take you four times as long (and you'll need assistance too). And as it's your front door, you have to get the job done in one go; you can't just slope off down the pub and finish it the day after...

WHS

Alignment of the frame has to be perfect or you will have nothing but trouble with the door ever after.
Fixing the frame must also be perfect or it will start to shake loose with use.
Sealing must be good or it will leak.

Get a professional to fit it or you will regret it.

What They Said. I once had the pleasure (and I'm not being sarcastic, it was fascinating) of seeing two chaps, with about forty years of experience between them, give a presentation on how to hang a door. We were all on a course in Instructional Techniques, and this was their first attempt at constructing and presenting a training programme. It was a ten-minute presentation, and I learnt everything one needs to know about hanging a door.

I also concluded that it is non-trivial. Get an expert.

Even so, when it came to getting a new front door even he gets a carpenter in - just to make sure

Again, WHS. By all means make a complete arse of the dining room door (experience is always fun) but not the front door.

Footnote: I once lived in a flat that had a Yale and two mortice locks. When the bad people came to steal my stuff, they just broke the door off at the hinges. They left it propped against the wall in the hall, so it was out of their way. The locks were still locked

[The Lone Gunman]

Get a pro to do it.

Rock Door.