Retrofitting cavity closers

[Ivor Windybottom]

Removing/refitting plastic doors and windows isn't a trivial task but totally DIYable with care and lots of youtube in advance! A paint scraper is usually all that's needed. Packing out the units is a bit of an art though, my efforts have varied in success levels but improving every time.

The only real risk to the sealed units is chipping a corner while lugging the things about. Other than that they're pretty strong. If you were to wreck one then they're pretty cheap to replace anyway.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

The fact the windows are tall is a big plus. It means that the vertical beading you need to take out first won't need bending much. The smaller ones are more challenging. Once you've prised and bent the first one out, the rest pop out much more easily.

 

[noseall]

Removing/refitting plastic doors and windows isn't a trivial task but totally DIYable with care and lots of youtube in advance!

Not really no.
The frames are foamed in as well as silicone sealed. You risk damaging the frames trying to remove them.
The glazing, which will need to be removed is likely to be stuck with security tape. It's very easy to pop a unit trying to remove the DGU's.
The doors will need to toe 'n' heel packed, to prevent them dropping. Not many DIYers know how to do this.
Stop posting dishonest crap.

 

[noseall]

The only real risk to the sealed units is chipping a corner while lugging the things about. Other than that they're pretty strong. If you were to wreck one then they're pretty cheap to replace ananyway.

No, they will be toughened glass. There will be a lead time and they are not cheap. Plus the fitter would need to ply-up if they shatter.

Stop posting about things you know little about.

 

[ChrisJLW]

This is the door in all its glory. More trim on the outside (not present on the other one). I'm not going to investigate what's under there. Lol

I had to replace one of the big glass panes in the other one and it was circa £110 from what I recall, including fitting.

 

[23vc]

Why is removing those doors, even being talked about? Is there an actual issue manifesting itself? Why ball ache it, just remediate as already suggested above if needed

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

No, they will be toughened glass. There will be a lead time and they are not cheap. Plus the fitter would need to ply-up if they shatter.

Stop posting about things you know little about.

It's a DIY job. Stop posting nonsense. I'm assuming a level of capability on the part of someone who's posting on a DIY forum. This isn't a trades protection forum so give up with the stupid Knows-All tone. It's useful to have different opinions and discuss, people can decide what they are or aren't capable of.

Looking at the new photo, you'd only need to remove the windows. You could leave the doors untouched.

Sealed units are dirt cheap. I've replaced many (misted up units and one cracked in my case), just measure up and order online. All very much disaster recovery anyway, anyone using care will not break one. I'm just saying that the scenario you're attempting to portray as doom-ridden just isn't real.

I can't tell from the photos, it looks like they're internal beads as most have been for decades. Lever up one long vertical edge and have a look at what's involved. Probably a sealed unit sitting on some packers.

I'm not attempting to give a tutorial, there will be countless pages of instructions and youtube videos. Packing out is a bit of an art. If in doubt just keep what's already been used in each location in a labelled envelope and put them back there. It's a door, not a spacecraft.

Why remove them? So you can get to the cavity, obviously, to fit a cavity closer, which is the title of this thread. You can't fit one while the door's in the way. Get it properly sealed and insulated, then refit as should have been done in the first place. Any other suggestions are telling someone how to botch the job, not how to fit a cavity closer.

 

[noseall]

It's a DIY job.

A small manageable window, maybe.
A combination frame with French - no. Especially if the DGU's ard security taped.

 

[noseall]

Why is removing those doors, even being talked about?

God only knows. Bonkers.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Is security tape ever fitted as standard from new? I thought it was a bit of a botch job to retrofit to old externally beaded windows, which definitely were a very real security risk.

If it has internal beads then it shouldn't be there. But you'll soon find out, just by looking inside one bead.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Everybody stop DIYing, despite the name this is now the trades protection forum.

 

[noseall]

Everybody stop DIYing, despite the name this is now the trades protection forum.

You are asking a DIYer to use a sledge hammer to crack a walnut and risk damaging both his frames and DGU's in the process.

Utterly stupid in this instance.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Then I'm proud to be stupid, and would encourage others to join me in my crazy world.

Plastic doors and windows aren't that complicated really. I could take that out within an hour easily, and there wouldn't be any damage to anything. Put it somewhere safe, make whatever mess needs making, clean up then put back. Probably all the better for getting some new sealant.