Composite door, weatherstrip and frame rotting

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

The composite back door on our 1997 built house is rotting at the bottom. The weather strip rotted first and was replaced about 5 years ago. The door frame is also rotting at the bottom as can be see in the photos.

Can you tell from the photos what kind of wood rot this is?

What is the best plan to rescue the door and frame and stop the rot before it becomes too bad?

Thank you for any help and advice.

crank39 · 5 Oct 2015

Doesn't look like a composite door to me, any chance of a full view picture? Composites tend to have Ali weather strips so to have a timber one planted onto it is very odd!

Also it clearly opens in so why is there a gap down the lock side, where's the clapping strip gone?

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

Thanks for your reply. The original weatherstrip was wood.

Here are some more photos, do they help understand the type of door?

Gazman16 · 5 Oct 2015

Composite doors are either fiberglass or steel so they dont rot, Thats just a wooden door.

To be honest that looks like its already too far gone to me and needs replacing or will do soon.
Might be worth posting some links to this thread on the woodwork section and maybe the painting/decorating section.

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know for sure what a composite door was, this one looked different to older wooden doors I've had before and thought it might be one. As you say its all wood.

I'm going to repair it as I can't afford a new door and it's only the bottom that's affected. It seems to be the outer finish thats rotten, looks like a skin of hardboard over another kind of wood. The wood under the hardboard is quite solid, though obviously needs treating. I'll cut it off in a straight line above the rotten section, treat it the whole of the bottom area with "Everbuild Triple Action Wood Treatment" and put a new piece of hardboard on.

Similarly repair the bottom of the frame. And hope it lasts!

Edited to say the outer skin is probably 3mm plywood or MDF and not hardboard, so that's what I'll use.

Burnerman · 5 Oct 2015

I really think it's done it's bit, but definitely don't use MDF whatever you do!
John

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

What would be best to use, hardboard or ply? Under the outer skin it's not rotten, it's probably starting but the wood isn't soft. Seems a good plan to repair the door.

Burnerman · 5 Oct 2015

Well plywood if you must but expect to do the job again in no time......really not trying to sound like a smart arse here but door repairs are rarely successful......weather gets in come what may.
Can you get the door off and on to a bench?
John

crank39 · 5 Oct 2015

I'm no wood expert but they make green MDF that's meant to be waterproof, whether it is or will work is another matter otherwise its a job for marine ply

Burnerman · 5 Oct 2015

I think I'd cut back to just under that moulding edge, and then fill in with exterior grade ply to whatever thickness is needed......maybe even use pressure treated timber.
Fill any gaps with epoxy filler and then paint - its about all that can be done.
John

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

Burnerman said:
Well plywood if you must but expect to do the job again in no time......really not trying to sound like a smart arse here but door repairs are rarely successful......weather gets in come what may.
Can you get the door off and on to a bench?
John

OK, although that isn't what I wanted to hear I definitely appreciate your advice. The cost of a new door being out of the question I've got no choice but to either leave it and save up, or spent perhaps £30 and give it a go. It's only that outer skin thats rotted, the inner wood and sides are unaffected.

It wouldn't be easy for me to take the door off, so I'd have to do it in situ.

Burnerman · 5 Oct 2015

OK, give it a bash and we hope it goes well!
This isn't a rented property, is it?
John

Gazman16 · 5 Oct 2015

You have to admire the standard and quality of modern British newbuilds, MDF external doors

It will be cardboard next to cut costs. Oh well it keeps us PVC guys busy

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

Burnerman said:
I think I'd cut back to just under that moulding edge, and then fill in with exterior grade ply to whatever thickness is needed......maybe even use pressure treated timber.
Fill any gaps with epoxy filler and then paint - its about all that can be done.
John

Yes, that sounds the best plan. I'll do it this way, treating the wood first. I'll post up the results, and then hope for the best.

Thank you all for your help, I now know what to do!

btb23 · 5 Oct 2015

Burnerman said:
OK, give it a bash and we hope it goes well!
This isn't a rented property, is it?
John

Thank you, not rented.

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Composite door, weatherstrip and frame rotting

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