Hi All
I am changing our front door and the new one came with a triangular cross section bit of timber (probably around 50mm X 50mm) that goes along the bottom of the door. I assume it is some sort of weather protector? The current door does not have anything and was wondering if it is ok to fit the new door without it? SHMBO believes the door looks better without it.
Thanks
Lee.
I would have thought that the triangular lip at the bottom of a door was fairly essential to prevent rainwater running down the outside of the door, through the vertical gap between the frame and the door, and into the house; the lip diverts it so it falls on the outside of the frame.
Up to you. You can always fit it later if rain ingress is a problem.
My front door which faces into right the weather has one on and it stops ingress of water even in the strongest gales and rainstorms. Its predecessor rotted away and fell to bits so it is certainly needed!
My back door which is under a partial rain shield doesn't and seems to be fine but it almost never gets the wind driving heavy rain against it.
There'slots of ways of dealing with this problem.
It doesn't have to be wood
Is the door protected from rain by a porch?
Drip deflector. Sometimes they're fine without, but generally should be fitted.
NT
Is it part of a draught exclusion system on the bottom of the door? Brian
That normally only exists on very exposed doors, and is of limited use in my opinion. However I guess it depends on the weather and the way the property faces with regard to it. My front dooris recessed inside a porch and did not have one, and the upvc one fitted outside later does not either, but it does have a channel which drains to the outside. Brian
Thanks all for your thoughts. Our door has a small porch roof over it (no sides) so doesn't really get rain on it unless there is horizontal rain blowing into the door. Have never noticed any water getting in under the existing door which doesn't have one. Sounds like it is ok to fit new one without it for now and fit it if there is an issue?
If you never get rain come in it's not needed. It's purpose is to move rain further away.
NT
It not just keeping the rain from getting into the house but helps in keeping the bottom of the door dry. Water that gets under the bottom of the door isn't likely to dry out fast and if a wooden door the wet can penetrate possibly leading to rot or warping of the door. A wood deflector may be oversize but there are metal alternatives that may be smaller and not look as ugly.
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