Originally Mr. & Mrs. P of Farnborough enquired about the replacement of their front door and frame. An initial inspection revealed the authentic timber door and frame to be both in keeping with their home and free from rot.

The margins around the timber door were rather tight in places, which was surprising considering the pronounced draughts they described having experienced. With the exception of the ‘terrible draughts’ they seemed to be generally satisfied with the doorway.  

It was for this reason, because the items still appeared to be serviceable; and in keeping with their home that draught beading was mentioned to them.

As the following photographs show, white timber draught beads were affixed to the head and jambs in place of the existing aluminium/ neoprene excluder. White plastic carrier with white nylon draft pile was also routed into the edge of the door leaf.

+ Click on any picture for a large image
"Incredibly draughty front door" before draftproofing applied	Having removed the door and stripped the same of ironmongery, now routing a groove to neatly accept the nylon draught pile	Shows the previously binding bottom of the door now planed to ease it and draughtproofed with nylon brush pile in plastic	Remove existing neoprene excluder, set in an aluminium carrier

Double draughtproofing with timber beading neatly affixed to frame the outside of the door, filled and sealed to finish	Shows nylon brush pile in plastic carrier neatly butting up to the interruption of each hinge	Keep the draughts where they belong- outside, this frame was also re-sealed to the brickwork as part of the works	The finished product unobtrusively discreetly upgraded for a more comfortable inviting home

Inevitable interruptions to the edge draft pile such as for hinges and locks were brought to the couples’ attention at the survey stage, which was the reason for mentioning using both approaches in tandem. They were urged to consider purchasing draft excluders for the letterbox aperture and bottom inside face of the door if these were not felt to be unsightly or too modern looking for their application. These would have been fitted for the customer on the day, though they decided them unnecessary.

The white draught beading was filled and sealed to finish. Sealant was also applied between the brickwork and entrance frame.

In summary there are quite a few factors to consider when weighing up an ‘in keeping’ thorough refurbishment versus the ‘cast iron guarantee of absolutely no drafts’ complete replacement and the cost implications therein.

In this instance the former option was chosen and the customer said...

"We invited Carpentry with Care to give us a quote for the replacement of our front door, other companies that we contacted had immediately suggested a new door was needed.

We were therefore pleasantly surprised when Carpentry with Care told us that the problem could be resolved without the need to replace the door. The job was carried out to an excellent standard and saved us hundreds of pounds.

Richard was also very friendly and approachable so I would have no hesitation in using him again."

A customer whose client wished to update their entertainment needs, approached us to facilitate the installation of a large plasma screen.

The main issue in this instance was that the weight of the new screen required suspending inside a freestanding feature unit.

As the photographs show, this particular feature unit was truly freestanding, having no contact with the wall behind. An existing unit back and sides were only 9mm thick and the screen weighed in at 56 kg’s, mounted on an extending arm support bracket, which would exert extra pressure.

Clearly the existing structure could not provide sufficient support, so a timber structural wall was constructed to bear the heavy loading. Heavy-duty steel brackets bolstered the timber’s inherent strength and formed a structural skeleton inside the facade skin.

As the photographs also show the new support bracket was bolted securely to the newly formed timber wall, whilst a folding arm allowed access to the screen and audio equipment behind.

With aperture size increased to fill almost the complete cabinet width, the new plasma screen slid smoothly back unobtrusively mounted in position.

Careful removal of existing unit & installation of new 56kg plasma screen for client in Wentworth	Shows existing freestanding cabinet and former television unit timbering	Different view before stripping out for new plasma unit	Setting out new aperture positions	Removed all old timber supports inside and cut out new larger face aperture to house new plasma screen
Showing front to back cross members to transfer weight around structure	Installing 100x50mm rear timber structural wall as existing back of 9mm plywood	Closer of right hand side junction	Closer view of junction between load bearing cross members	Heavy duty steel structural brackets to bolster the timbers inherent strength
The plasma screen hanging bracket is mounted with coach screws into the centre timber studs	The hefty support bracket	This view shows the existing audio equipment behind the new load bearing wall	Side or rear view	View of the structural load bearing wall, pivoting bracket and plasma screen approximateiy 1200x900mm
The screen itself, testing the mounting bracket	Portrait view of installed plasma screen	View with plasma screen off	Alternative view of screen on

As these sashes were newer replacements, did not rattle and had no draughts; the customer decided not to have draught control beading as elsewhere. The two bottom side sashes were the only openers which they were satisfied to remain this way. As no beads were being renewed the intention was to lubricate these only. They also required two complete sets of quality satin chrome window furniture supplied and installed. The focus with these windows was clearly the cills outside.

Unlike cills elsewhere in their home, these were exposed with an extensive amount of rot found to be present. This was removed, sealed and re-instated using a high quality resin repair system and hardwood timber where required. Any bare timber used was primed ready for finishing by others.

The initial image (left) is shown first for an overall appreciation of the bay at the front of the property which experienced more weathering than the rear. Elsewhere photos are from left to right. The outer lining to the centre pulley stiles has been replaced with hardwood timber, sharp edges removed and primed on all faces with Dulux aluminium oxide. Worth noting that the end grain top and bottom are also sealed and resin system joints applied.

Rotten timber has also been removed from the bottom of the pulley stile, sealed and replaced with high quality, long lasting resin.

The hardwood cill extension was applied to the same specification and exacting standards. The joint onto the remaining sound cill was bonded using resin with a drip groove and quality external frame sealant finish to the concrete sub-cill below.

Although unfortunately not quite as clear, the second image again shows the new cill extension, a resin repair to the left front cover board; and the bottom of the outer lining having been cut back to avoid rainwater being trapped and facilitate it’s draining away effectively. Once primed this is a more obvious indicator of a desire to help actively prevent windows deteriorating and enhance their future performance.

The intention is that measures such as this will prolong the useful life of the original item and reduce frequency and extent of maintenance works by addressing these

The third image shows a renewed cill extension to the specification above. As previously mentioned, the cill extension has been bonded to the remaining sound section of timber cill, providing a strong, long-lasting chemical joint with elastic qualities. This ensures it being more adept at withstanding the expansion and contraction of the components, making it unlikely a crack shall form; allowing moisture penetration.

It is for the same reason that resin joints have been formed at the external mitre and between the bottom of the outer lining and top of the cill extension.

This view shows the other end of the long cill extension to the centre of the bay.

Earlier comments apply with the addition of more resin to the faces of both the outer lining and cill.

From the other side of same junction, the repaired pulley stile and cill can be seen.

Extensive  rot replaced to the outer lining and the cover board.