Fitting external door frame/door

[FamilyWiggs]

Hi folks,

Long time since I've been on here. Life been getting in the way. Will have to post some updated pics of what we've been doing to the house (which seems to be less and less these days!).

Anyway I'm now about to fit a new oak stable door into the kitchen, replacing the drafty rotten old softwood one. Old door and frame comes out tomorrow (it's a Welsh summers day, forecast to be sunny - what could possibly go wrong??!!). The door is prehung in the frame. Am planning to have it all done in time to settle down with a pitcher of Pimms for the afternoon in the garden 8)

As usual I am approaching this with the preparation and research of a seasoned bodger, a most traditional of skills. Is it as simple as it looks to fit the frame into the opening, square up with shims and then big screws/plugs into the masonry, mastic the inside and linseed putty or lime mortar the outside?.

Or would some kindly soul care to guide me a little on the missing details if possible?


I've searched the forum and it appears nobody has written this one up. Happy to do so tomorrow with some pics if helpful to others.

Hope the oldtimers are well, Penners is continuing to keep you in check, and hello to the more recent members.

Cheers

Robin

 

[88v8]

Think that about covers it.
The tannic acid in oak is not kind to fastenings, so I hope the hinges are secured with brass or stainless. Likewise the screws into the wall.

The main concern I have with fixing things, is whether the wall will prove amenable to fixings.
It's an unknown. Have a big plastic sheet ready.

Ivor

 

[Flyfisher]

Hi Robin, good to hear from you again.

Having replaced a few windows and doors, I've noticed quite a range of fixing methods, including one window with no apparent fixings other than just the mortared surround - and it was still quite difficult to remove!

Ivor makes a good point about whether the wall is amenable to fixings. Part of our house is built with chalk blocks and thus quite soft and doesn't respond well to 'expansion' type fixings because too much pressure can split the chalk. In such circumstances I've used chemical fixings, which is probably not authentically 'period' but seems to work quite well.

 

[wobs]

We had a new back door last year. Mr Joiner used some new screws for the frame that didn't require plugs in the brick work! He doesn't normally do new fangled fittings but he was very impressed with them.

Also, I used security hinges as the door was opening outwards.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Thanks. Turned out to be easy...once I'd discovered that the stonework around the door opening was smaller than the opening by about 10mm! I hadnt spotted this when measuring up...

Pic of completed task to follow in a bit...