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Eurocell Product Design Manager Ian Kernaghan guides you through the simple installation process for Dales Collection composite doors …

Dales Collection composite doors from Eurocell are the clear first choice for high-quality, attractive and robust entrance doors. They’re highly secure, hard-wearing, weather-proof and available in a range of styles and colours. What’s more, they’re easy to fit. Just follow our simple seven-step guide for smooth and accurate installations.

Step 1: Pre-installation checks
Before beginning any installation work, check the sizes, type and condition of all doorsets against both the survey sizes and the actual aperture sizes. Also, check that you have all the ancillary components required before removing the existing doorset.

Step 2: Positioning
It’s important when installing the outer frame that it is plumb and square within the aperture, without twist, racking or distortion of any member. Carefully position the new frame into the aperture, making sure that it bridges the cavity, covers the DPC (damp proof course) and is set back as far as possible in the aperture to minimise exposure to the elements.

Step 3: Fixing
Through-frame fixings should be plastic sheathed, with a minimum length of 100mm, and should penetrate at least 50mm into the substrate. Generally all four sides of the frame should be secured using the manufacturers’ guidelines to determine fixing spacings and positions.

Use appropriately sized installation packers adjacent to fixing positions to prevent the outer frame distorting during installation. Installation packers should be incompressible, resistant to rot or corrosion, and span the full width of the outer frame profile.

Apply a small amount of silicone mastic to the shanks and head of fixings that pass through the outer frame to ensure that no water penetrates into the frame.

Step 4: Finishing off and making good
Remove all protective films on the outer frame profiles as soon as the installation is finished.

Step 5: Perimeter sealing
Sealing the perimeter prevents water and air leaking between the aperture and the doorset. Gaps can be sealed with a ribbon of silicone sealant, ensuring it fills the gap to a depth of no less than the width of the gap. Sand and cement or plaster should not be used to fill the gap between the frame and the building structure.

When sealing the perimeter joints, take care to ensure that any drainage channels are not blocked or obstructed.

Step 6: Hinge adjustment
Hinges on the Dales Collection are designed to offer three-way adjustment, which allows the door to be adjusted for compression as well as vertically and laterally. Only Allen keys are required. Any adjustments should be made gradually and equally on all hinges.

If the compression of the door needs to be adjusted along the lock side, this can be done by adjusting the keeps.

Step 7: Final inspection
After installation, an inspection should be carried out to ensure accuracy of fit. A checklist is provided with the Dales Collection to help you do this easily and efficiently.