Home  5  Books  5  GBEzine  5  News  5  HelpDesk  5  Register  5  GreenBuilding.co.uk
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.
Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


powered by Surfing Waves




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.




Housing - New Build: Doorframe to brickwork gap - normal ??

Bottom of Page

1 to 14 of 14

  1.  
    • CommentAuthormalakoffee
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2015 edited
     
    uPVC I'm afraid - sorry.

    This has just been installed and I have noticed the airgap ( 5 - 10mm continuous ) on both sides between the brickwork and the frame for the full thickness and height of the frame.
    Same again between the frame and the lintel.

    Thus the weatherproofing is dependent completely on a thin uPVC trim on the outside of the frame. At the edges of the brick the few millimetres of silicone bead is the only seal against the weather.

    This seems to make a mockery of both the need to provide a high standard of insulation and weather-proofing.

    Is this normal ? Has the fitter done a shoddy job ?

    What can I do to improve the situation ?
      DoorFrameOutside.jpg
      DoorFrameGap.jpg
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2015
     
    They do it so that it always fits! We used 5mm overall tolerance , many use 25mm

    Not good but par for the course now days.

    Foam the gaps if you can with non expanding foam
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2015
     
    yep, Soudal 'blue' window/door foam is a good product...
    Good luck..:smile:
    • CommentAuthormalakoffee
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2015
     
    Thanks for the explanation and recommendation.

    Once again it seems like I'm going to have to DIY (yet) another detail to get the build of this extension anywhere near the intended specification.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2015
     
    Posted By: malakoffeeHas the fitter done a shoddy job ?

    If it's a new build then I'd say yes, they should have insulated the gap. Provided they were aware of the intended specification or its a legal requirement (I don't know what the current requirement is).

    But as you say, it's probably easier to do it yourself than persuade them to rectify it after the event.
    • CommentAuthorDandJ
    • CommentTimeAug 15th 2015
     
    I like a 5 to 10mm gap as then you can actually fill it whereas a gap that is too small is very hard to fill. However, unsurprisingly your fitters havent bothered filling it but have relied on a silicone bead and trim
    . So to answer your original questions, Yes it is shoddy and Yes it is normal.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeAug 15th 2015
     
    Hate those external trims. They shouldn't really need one if the gap is small enough. After all they had to silicon the trim to the wall so why not silicon the door frame to the wall direct....answer.. the gap was too big.
    • CommentAuthormalakoffee
    • CommentTimeAug 15th 2015 edited
     
    Thanks for the comments & info.

    The new back door and frame have to be replaced because they got the hinges on the wrong side.
    This will give me a chance to ambush the fitter and try to get some Vitaseal tape on the frame before it goes in.
    http://www.vitaseal.com/vitaseal.php

    The french doors and windows are a fait accompli so I will try to fill the gap with Soudal blue - low expansion foam.
      150727LyntonGlazing.jpg
      2011ShackAtTheBack.jpg
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2015
     
    I do hope you got your FENSA certificate, as no doubt you'll need this worth less piece of paper if you ever sell......

    What is the point of FENSA?
  10.  
    ''What is the point of FENSA?''

    It's a self-certification body and the cert. 'shows compliance with Bldg Regs'. One might argue that, in practice, it does not, necessarily, but if some (not all) of the inspections I have had when doing windows on a Building Notice are anything to go by, standards are sometimes very similar.

    At least in theory, with either certification method, you get a 3rd party inspection of the installation. I wonder how often a 'manager' comes out after the fitting team has finished?
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2015
     
    So assuming malakoffee was issued with a FENSA certificate, can we assume the installation complies with Building Regs?
  12.  
    Hmmmm....

    That is the plan....

    I honestly don't know what the Regs say about fitting the frame in the hole. It seems reasonable to assume that it should be well-fitted, and avoid thermal bridging wherever possible. Your average 'gap-and-filler-piece installation does not really do that.
    • CommentAuthormalakoffee
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2015
     
    No FENSA certificate provided yet.

    The Installation Manager is visiting here tomorrow to discuss the replacement back door.

    I will take the opportunity to discuss the gaps around the frames and will report back what he says.

    It is a happy coincidence that the fitter did NOT foam the frame into the brickwork. I can imagine that it would be a major challenge to get it back out.
    But that situation is an anomaly - I would rather have robust weatherproofing & good insulation for the long-term.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeAug 16th 2015
     
    Posted By: malakoffeeIt is a happy coincidence that the fitter did NOT foam the frame into the brickwork. I can imagine that it would be a major challenge to get it back out.

    It'll be a little bit easier, but it wouldn't be a major problem to saw through the foam so it wouldn't have made it much more difficult to get out.

    Posted By: malakoffeeBut that situation is an anomaly - I would rather have robust weatherproofing & good insulation for the long-term.

    Indeed.

1 to 14 of 14

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press