Door fitting across the UK

Sticking only in winter is a swollen lock edge. Dropping onto the latch is a loose top hinge or too little hinge for the weight. Catching a new carpet is an undercut. A bind on the diagonal is often the frame, especially where clay has moved. Hollow doors with a split skin are replaced. Solid doors are eased.

A square internal lining and one standard leaf is a reasonable DIY job if you can cut a hinge mortice. Budget half a day the first time. External doors, fire doors, glazed or oak leaves, and frames that are out of square are fitter’s work. A fire door also has to keep the gap in its certificate.

Windows, electric gates, up-and-over garage doors and new structural lintels. A same-night lock change on a door that is fine is a locksmith. Skimming a whole room after a lining swap is a plasterer. We hang doors and replace frames.

A solid internal door can last for decades; hinges and latches wear first. Hollow-core doors are finished once the skin is holed. Bare end grain at an external cill rots upwards. Coastal plated hinges pit. Fire doors fail early if the seals are painted, the closer is wedged, or the leaf was trimmed past its allowance.

If the leaf is solid timber, stand it in the room for a couple of days. Prime the top, bottom and edges before a painted door is hung. Clear a path from the door to where the van can stop, and tell us about stairs or a short lift. Do not plane a fire door while you wait.