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If you’re looking to upgrade your home or considering a remodelling project, doors can be a cool and fast way to improve the value of your property. Whether you wish to increase the visual appeal of your home with a new exterior door or simply to alter the appearance of an outdated or plain bedroom or bathroom, doors can also go a long way to improve the look of your home. If you’re thinking about taking on such a project, one of the things you might want to consider is length of time it’ll take to complete the installation process. In this post, we’re going to give you a good insight into the time it takes to complete a door installation process to help you make informed decision moving forward. Let’s take a look!

Just like any home improvement project, the duration of time it’ll take to install doors will depend on a number of factors. These factors include the style/type of door to be installed, the ease of access, the skill and experience of the installer and lots more. In general, replacing an exterior door should, on the average, take about 5 to 6 hours. An interior door, on the other hand, should be much quicker as it doesn’t require same flashing, caulking as well as other weatherproofing processes. In general, the installation of an interior door can be completed within 2 to 4 hours. If you choose to take on this task by yourself, you can expect the duration to be longer due to the little or no experience possessed.

Composite doors have coloured skins rather than a coloured coating on their surface. This means that their colour is long-lasting and they don’t need repainting. If you want to change the colour of your composite door it’s best to ask the manufacturer about the best way to do this. This is because different composite doors are finished in different ways.

There are several benefits that can be derived from insulating your garage door. Not only can it reduce your energy bills and protect your garage’s content from elements, but can also go a long way to increase the return on your property’s value, reduce noise, increase the garage door’s strength and deliver a more convenient garage and home. Insulating your garage is a task you can actually take on by yourself. However, if you lack proper training or experience, we’d recommend you leave it for a reliable professional who can ensure the project is done right, the first time - saving you both time and money. This guide will give you a good insight on how you can go about the project.

To insulate your garage, you’ll need a fibreglass insulation, garage door insulation, expanding foam, drywall, gloves and long sleeves, wood, sharp utility knife as well as a staple gun and staples. Now let’s take a look at the garage door insulation process!

lClear The Walls

• Remove the drywall (if present)

• Clean out the dirt and stud cavities.

• Wipe out any chemicals in the garage like gasoline.

lIdentify Gaps & Cracks In The Wall

• Shake your expanding foam vigorously for about a minute.

• Attach the straw to the can and use it to spray the wall openings.

• Fill the gaps until its 50% full

• Leave the foam to fill the openings completely in about 5 to 15 minutes. It should be hardened or completely cured within 6 to 8 hours.

lInstall Fibreglass Insulation

• Staple the insulation’s paper face to the side of the stud and not the face.

• Place a piece of wwod on the insulation’s top to act as a guide to properly cut the insulation to size.

• Cut the excess insulation with a utility knife.

• Tuck in the insulation to make for easier stapling.

• Staple the insulation down to the stud’s side.

lUse Drywall To Cover The Insulation

• Screw and glue the drywall to the stud.

• Do not leave the insulation’s paper exposed.

What Is The Best Material For A Front Door?

It can be a tricky challenge to find the perfect door for your home or property. At times we may find the look we desire but it just won’t suit our budget, other times we’ll find what suits our budget but it just won’t be secure or appealing enough to our taste. Due to the fact that your front door is the first line of defence for your home and governs entry to the rest of your house, it’s very important to look for a material that’s strong, sturdy and is able to withstand both the elements as well as wear and tear. You definitely need all these qualities while also making sure the good looks are also intact. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best material for a front door.

The fact is that all door materials have both their advantages and disadvantage, therefore the best material actually depends on the homeowner’s preferences. Generally, fibreglass and steel doors are able to deliver better insulation than wood doors. And this is even better when they’re Energy-Star certified which means they’re double and triple-paneled glass, energy efficient cores as well as tight-fitting frames. Fibreglass doors is made from a composite material which can be designed to suit most homes. What’s more? They’re very easy to maintain and also durable. However, despite all these, some homeowners actually prefer wooden doors for their homes.

Doors made of wood naturally have more style and character than fiberglass doors and in several cases, are easier to repair. Furthermore, they don’t show scratches or dents as readily as the other door materials. However, they’re susceptible to warping and cracking unlike their counterparts.

It’s usually quite easy to purchase a new door off the shelf, however if you have a goal of keeping costs under control then you must make sure you think it through before making a decision. Otherwise, you could just be storing up some trouble and expenses here and there for yourself later in the future. So if you’re wondering how much French patio doors cost, you’ve come to the right place! The cost of French patio doors largely varies based on some determining factors. These factors include:

• Glazed insert sections

• Surrounding door frames’ quality.

• Varying or non standard threshold levels.

• French patio door furniture which includes locks, handles, weather strips and letter boxes.

• Unique surfaces such as colours or wood grains.

• Above standard thermal performance

• Side and top panel will surely lead to additional costs.

Apart from these factors and unless you’re going to undertake the project by yourself which is not advisable especially if you lack proper training and experience, then you’ll have to put into consideration the labour cost to remove the old door and install your new French patio door. Labour costs also varies a lot depending on your special requirements, time taken as well as the company chosen.

Generally, French patio doors are widely regarded to be the people’s choice in the UK. They feature two doors which open outwards from the centre which results in a wide opening to the rear garden from the house. So exactly how much do French patio doors cost? The cost of French patio doors will usually range between £500 to £1,500, depending on the aforementioned influencing factors. This type of patio doors style are best fitted in smaller spaces due to the fact that they’re able to open outwards.

Do you have a composite door and wondering the best type of lock that can be used on your prized asset. To choose the right type of lock for a composite door, it’s of utmost importance to select one that’s designed to work perfectly with the composite configuration. By doing this, you’ll improve the security of your home while also achieving the desired look. To secure a composite door, the most common way is by incorporating a high security multipoint lock. Therefore, depending on the look you want for your door as well as how you want it to function, here are the four types of locks you can consider to go with your composite door.

• Split Spindle Lock

A split spindle lock would be your best bet if you’d like to automatically prevent access to your home from the outside. This lock allows you to open your door smoothly by utilizing the inside handle, however, you’ll need a key to turn the latch bolt to gain access back inside.

• Lever or Lever Lock

If you want an unhindered access in and out of your property, a lever lock gives you this opportunity without the need for a key until it’s totally deadlocked. The lever lock is installed to the back door which makes unauthorized entry even less likely.

• Slam Lock

If you’d prefer a super fast locking, then this lock type is your answer! It automatically triggers the lock hooks immediately you close the door - without having to lift the handle. However, to gain access to the inside of your home or bolt the door from the inside, you’ll need a key.

• Key Wind-Up Lock

This lock is wholly key operated and totally handle-free. Immediately the door is closed, the latch bolt will be automatically activated, ensuring that a key would be needed to gain access back inside.

We’ve all heard the common phrase that first impressions matter most. Well, this expression also applies to your home. When people arrive at your home, the door is the first thing they come in contact with and that speak volumes about the impression they’ll have about you. In modern times, there’s a large variety of choices when it comes to choosing a front door for your home in terms of style and design - from distinctive and alluring wood finish effect to elegant stained glass patterns. These are all important when it comes to choosing a front door, but one of the most significant factors is the material.

Both uPVC and composite doors have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing one may rest on the purpose of installing the door.

UPVC Doors:

Pros

• Cost - Although composite doors are certain to deliver a great value for money, the initial spending on uPVC is lower and doesn’t put much strain on your budget

• Little Maintenance - The maintenance of a uPVC door does not go beyond wiping any stains with a damp cloth. However, this should be done carefully and regularly as extended neglect can lead to discolouration over time

Cons

• Styles - When it comes to styles, uPVC doors has a considerable lower style options compared to composite doors.

Composite Doors:

Pros

• Finishes - Composite doors offer a wider range of finishes than uPVC doors and as such, deliver greater versatility in showcasing your home’s character.

• Energy Efficient - Made from various materials glued together under intense pressure, composite doors happen to be thicker than uPVC doors and hence, a bit more energy efficient.

• Improved Security - Although both doors offer a great level of security, composite doors (due to its robust construction) are a bit more superior in this area.

Cons

• Cost - Although composite doors offer an immense value for money, the fact still remains that they’ll also stretch your budget more than uPVC doors.

Do I Need A Planning Permission For Bifold Doors?

Are you thinking about installing bifold doors for your home or property? If yes, you’d probably want to know if you’re going to need planning permission. Well, you’re not alone! Being fully aware the application process for planning permission might not be the easiest of tasks, several home owners would like to know if they’ll be going through the process for installing bifold doors. The answer is, you may actually not need a planning permission for installing bifold doors in your home. Adding or replacing doors is basically one of the home improvement efforts that are less complicated and as a result, they normally do not require planning permission. But despite that, they still need to comply with the UK’s building regulations.

Changing or adding doors to your home or property are usually considered to be covered under permitted development and even more so, when there’s no extension constructed for the doors. However under certain circumstances, these rights can be removed by the local authorities. A good example is when the property is a listed building or in a designated conservation area.

In the event whereby you find yourself having to apply for a planning permission, the time it usually takes to be granted one depends on the number of planning applications on queue. However, it typically takes about 8 weeks or 2 months to tender your application and be granted planning permission if it’s required. To apply for planning application by UK households, you’ll have to pay £172 - which is the set application fee nationwide. In certain situations where objection arises, there may be some delays in the process. If you’re still not certain whether your new bifold doors will require a planning permission, we’d recommend consulting your local authority.