Some other posts
Burgessbrendan
Administrator
I need a new back door
I need a new back door because the present one has very little insulation value.
I have a quote from [broken link removed] which will cost 1600 to install. They remove the frame and put in a new one. The whole thing is a sealed unit and has double glazed glass. They supplied windows in our office and they did a great job.
Alternatively, one of the door shops will supply and fit a normal wooden back door for around €500 with draught excluders etc.
Is there enough insulation in a normal wooden door?
a uPVC door is also a sealed unit and would cost around €1200, I think.
Brendan
sueellen
Moderator
Re: I need a new back door
Hi Brendan,
1. The quality/standard of the Timber Frame Windows looks excellent and very enticing. I'm going through my 'wood' phase at the moment one must understand!
2. For a completely external door I would not go for a normal €500 wooden one as they invariably expand/contract with weather elements etc. especially when it has to blend with an existing frame.
3. IMHO there is not enough insulation in a normal wooden door.
4. The uPVC sealed unit at €1,200 is probably 'yer best man' for the job from a realistic maintenance free/sensible point of view. I've heard good recommendations about Senator (expensive), Dooley Windows (reasonable) and I see Jem gave a recommendation for these people Roscrea pvc windows (087-2512099). I think Starline were recommended here a few times also.
extopia
Frequent poster
Re: I need a new back door
PVC windows and doors are an abomination and should never be recommended, in my not so humble opinion.
Apart from their ugly looks, uPVC doors are deadly in a fire (they emit highly toxic fumes when burned). The appeal of these doors and windows is ostensibly that they require little maintenance. However, this is not necessarily the case, depending on how expertly they were installed. They discolour easily and are not particularly easy to clean.
A hardwood door with draught excluders (remember PVC needs draught excluders too) has better thermal properties than PVC and looks better to boot. Yes, you'll have to varnish or paint it every couple of years (depending on the level of exposure to sun and rain) but that's a small price to pay.
I would only ever install PVC in places that are difficult to access for maintenance (an attic conversion for example) and reluctantly at that! Go for the wooden door, Brendan -- a few bob more but you'll never regret it.
Burgessbrendan
Administrator
Re: I need a new back door
Thanks both for the advice.
I will go wooden
Brendan
Monkey0804
Registered User
Re: I need a new back door
Rational and Nordan are two other companies that provide wooden doors, at at cost of approximately 1300 for door. You'll have to get your own carpenter to fit at a cost of approx 300.
woodpecker
extopia - what would your view be on wooden windows with external PVC cladding?
extopia
Frequent poster
Re: cladding
Better -- but not good enough (that's just my opinion). You still have the uPVC toxicity issue and the ugliness/tackiness problem.
But I know where you're coming from -- the maintenance issue. If you can afford it go for timber windows with painted aluminium cladding (very similar to how a standard Velux window looks, by way of example). These are supplied by a number of companies, including Rationel, mentioned by the previous poster. Very low maintenance and they look very similar to painted wood. i.e. very traditional and versatile -- you can renew and/or change the colour whenever you like.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm not a snob about uPVC. I just plain don't like it! And more importantly, I don't think it's necessary. The PVC-isation of Ireland was a kind of 80s "modernisation" phase that has unfortunately stuck and became the new standard. The timber industry at the same time has been slow to fight back. Timber is probably seen as a more upmarket product as a result -- but I've found that the price difference is less than people might think.
burkemg
Registered User
Need a new back door
Try this crowd
www.arcticdoors.com/gallery.html
they supply wood-veneered - fibre-glass doors.
Excellent job but pricey
Burgessbrendan
Administrator
Re: Need a new back door
Well I ordered my door from Timber Framed Windows back in September. When I chased them today, they told me that they had never processed my order with their supplier and I would have to wait until January. I have lost confidence in them.
burkemg - arctic doors sound interesting. What do they look like in practice?
Brendan
burkemg
Registered User
Re: Arctic doors
They actually look like wood - natural wood grain
because its actually wood on the outside
Excellent locking mechanism
Door and frame Comes painted which is a great advantage
Great service from arctic
Burgessbrendan
Administrator
Re: Arctic doors
Thanks burkemg
That's good enough for me.
Brendan
mossfitzg
Registered User
Re: I need a new back door
I too have an internal door as my back door. My problem is that its on a really poor kitchen extension that I plan to completely replace in the next 2 years so for now i need a quick fix. I have a handyman who could fit a door for me and i dont really care what it looks like as long as it prevents some heat loss and naturallly is CHEAP
any one any ideas
Thanks
beldin
Registered User
Re: Arctic doors
For a cheap back door try the classifieds or buyandsell, measure your existing one and try and match it. There are often ads for the doors people are replacing. Log on to buyandsell.net and do a search for teak door(i saw 3)
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