On Dec 17, 2:29*pm, Roger Mills wrote:

I don't think that you can easily fit aluminium or uPVC doors
into an existing wooden frame.

Yes you can, subject to two things:

* They have to fit. They're normally designed to replace the wooden
frame, so they're now going to need to be a couple of inches smaller
all round. Made to measure isn't a problem, but I always like to
recycle for sheds (i.e. skip-dive!)

* The frame they're attached to has to be rigid, certainly for uPVC,
especially if they're three-point locking. uPVC is quite flexible, yet
it's designed to fit very precisely with tiny clearance, so any flex
in the supporting frame causes trouble with jamming and locks that
won't. Wooden frames are OK, but not rotten wooden frames, or small,
loose screws.


On the whole, I'd probably take the existing door off, repair it,
replace the existing frame if it's less than perfect, and then replace
the original and refurbished door.

Refurbishment is likely to involve screwing every board to the
bracing, rather than relying on nails (nails flex). You can also hang
PIR insulation on the inside, which will still be less obvious than a
second door. The new frame can either have deep rebates, or else new
strips nailed to the old frame for the same effect, and a foam rubber
compression gasket for draughtproofing. You can also refurb the bottom
edge - my shed door (similar construction) used to have a half inch
gap, probably for draining the shed. The floor inside was an inch or
two higher. It still has the old gap at the bottom of the boards above
the outside yard, but it now has another brace inside, with a brush
draught seal in it that seats on the floor (or you could add a raised
threshold strip).