Doors When It Goes Wrong!

Problem

Caused by

What should you expect

Door has inconsistent gaps between door frame and door edges

Fitter has either trim off too much or not enough off the edges of the door.

Doors should be trimmed with about a 3mm gap from door edge to frame with normal hinges and with about a 4mm gap on fire door or heavy-duty hinges.

Door has an oversized gap at the bottom

Fitter has taken too much off the bottom of the door.

Doors should be short at least a 3mm – 6mm gap to avoid excessive light and draft coming from the bottom of the door.

Door is scratching the floor or causing a radius depression in the carpet when opening

Fitter has not accounted for the floor being out of level.

Doors should take in account the highest high point and clear this with a least a 3mm – 6mm gap to clear any high points.

Door is rubbing the frame when closing

Fitter has not rounded off the edges of the door or has not taken enough off.

Doors that have been trimmed should have their sharp edges rounded to help their leading edge avoid the door frame and trimmed with the appropriate gap.

Door is leaning in towards frame

Fitter has not mounted the door hinges flush or the door frame is bowing in causing the bottom or top to lean out or in.

Hinges should be fitted flush with the surface of the door and the door frame. If the issue is with the frame it may need to be changed.

Door does not close flush

Fitter has not explained that the door jambs need to be moved back or that the door frames uprights are not parallel with each other.

Doors jambs should be moved back from the door closed position at least 1-2mm to allow build-up of paint.

Door over shoots the frame slightly

Fitter has not explained that the door jambs need to be moved forward.

Doors jambs should be moved forward from the door closed position at least 1-2mm to allow build-up of paint.

Door is binding on the hinge side or door bounces out when closing

Fitter has not explained that the door jambs needs to be moved back.

Doors jambs should be moved back from the door closed position to allow the door to rest in its closed position.

Door is squeaking

Fitter has fitted an oversize hinge for the door or has not fitted a middle hinge to support the weight of a heavier door or the frame is bellying in the middle of the door causing the door to pull the hinges when closing and opening.

Doors should have the correct hinges fitted thinner doors should have smaller hinges and heavier fire door should have the appropriate hinges. If the issue is with the frame it may need to be changed.

Door latch does not go into the strike plate

Fitter has not fitted the latch in the centre of the door or the strike plate is in the wrong position.

Door latches should be fitted in the centre of the door and the strike plate should either be in the centre of the space between the door jamb inside edge or if it has a curved leaf this should bend over the edge of the door lining.

Door handle does not spring back or binds

Fitter has trimmed the door at an angle or fitted the screws of the handle plates in at an angle causing the handle plate to bind on the handle bar.

All doors should be cut at 90 degree square and screws mounted vertical to avoid binding.

Door lock does not reach full cycle

Door frame inside the strike plate has not been rebated deep enough for the lock bar to reach full cycle.

Rebates should be at around 15mm deep to allow the lock bar to reach fully into the strike plate.