Upvc doors

[DIY Stew]

Does anyone know if its ok to drill a Upvc door to fit a door viewer and also tofit a chain to limit the door opening

Regards

Stew

 

[flying haggis]

If I remember rightly some doors have a steel frame inside. My MIL front door had and to fit the chain i just used self tappers instead of wood screws

 

[Lons]

Wot he said!

You can easily tell if frame reinforcement is steel by using a magnet or metal detector. Some doors have aluminium section and some nothing. If it's a solid panel in the door, you'll find that it's a composite material with open cell plastic , MDF or similar faced both sides with pvc.

No reason not to fit a viewer as long as you are carefull with placement and stay well away from the glass. Use a very sharp drill as PVCu can shatter and crack and smooth around the holes to reduce micro cracks before fitting - DON'T OVERTIGHTEN. (hammer) Chains hooks etc are ok as long as you are sensible and remember the limits of the plastic.

most suppliers won't agree of course as they want to cover their backs in case of silly fixings which would compromise their product and result in claims against them.

cheers

Bob

 

[devonwoody]

Why not fit a video cctv if its only for viewing and could be utilised over the whole property?

 

[Setch]

You may well need a special short door viewer for a uPVC door, as the panels in the middle are quite thin compared to a 44mm timber door.

 

[Lons]

You may well need a special short door viewer for a uPVC door, as the panels in the middle are quite thin compared to a 44mm timber door.

Good point Setch - the panels are usually 20mm thk, same as glass units and are fitted the same way