New Front Door Installed - Poor Fit?

[morningbell]

Hi There,

We're having our garage converted at the moment and the front door was installed the other day.

Went to the shop this evening and upon returning, i noticed that it looked uneven, in that you could see the light underneath the door on one side.

Looking on the inside, it also appears uneven at the top as well. You can also feel the draught coming in on the bottom edge where the gap appears larger.

I'm no home improvement/DIY expert, but I'm assuming this is a poorly fitted door, unless there is a reason for the extra gap? Anyone have any thoughts before i broach this with the builders?

Is there anything that can be done to rectify save for installing an entirely new door?

is the doorframe new?

who did the fitting?

a carpenter can fit a door better and quicker than a handyman or general builder

@PigletJohn

Yes the frame is new, this side was previously the garage door.

Project being undertaken by one company with project manager subbing out to various contractors, but pretty sure the door was fitted by general handyman builder, rather than carpenter.

It looks like it's slightly too small for the frame and they haven't tightened the hinges fully so it's not so obvious, with a smaller half gap and bottom. Either the frame is not the right size and they should adjust it, or they've possible cut the door down and cut too much off. I would imagine easier and cheaper to adjust frame than a new door. Or add one of those brush things on the bottom of the door on the inside to prevent draft.

it is higher on the hinge side than the lock side. Usually this is only seen on a very old or badly-made door that has sagged. This should not have happened with your new door, I expect the fitter measured and planed it wrong. Perhaps he confused left and right.

a carpenter might be able to adjust the hinges a little. But this will also tilt the sides, leaving gaps there.

Otherwise, both the top and the bottom need to be levelled, which will mean the door is too short for the opening.

It could be repaired by adding a strip, but this will have less weather resistance and you should not have to put up with it on a new door and frame.

It's time for a complaint.

If you want to look knowledgable, get a 50p piece, and run it round the edge of the door, on the inside. it should just fit between the door and the frame all round, with an even gap.

Make tutting noises and frown in disappointment. Shake your head sorrowfully as you turn to the PM and say "Dear me, what do you think of that?"

if he flannens, and tries to make out it's not too bad, shake your head all the time he's speaking. Then say "no, no, no."

"Sorry bert, it's just not good enough"

Fold your arms.

And STOP.

Thanks all.

Fortunately the door is in a car port so much less susceptible to weather, so a repair option like adding a strip would be less impactful.

I'll broach with the PM

I think that's an awfully fitted door! The only thing I can think of is seeing if the guarantee that you got with it covers against a poor fitting and you can get the installers back in to redo it under the warranty

If the frame is new and the door has an unequal gap at both the top and bottom, it is likely caused by the head and sill of the frame having not been fitted level. If I was sent to put this right (I'm a carpenter), I would first be putting a spirit level on the head of the frame and looking to see if it was possible to adjust it if found 'out'. Any minor repairs to the surround would be cheaper than shelling out for a new door, and a better solution than bodging in extra seals.