Was trying to convert a window to French doors a MISTAKE?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

How do you think it turned out?

[@craigallan4322]

Looks really neat. Your going to keep noticing those brick on each side though 🙂

[@geoffreygriffiths1487]

Really Impressive. You handled all the challenges like a champ.

[@Vanjonsorz]

Brilliant job. Well done.

[@louisecampbell2479]

Hi 👋🏼 great job as always 👏🏻 Dyebrick do mortar (and brick) matching sample pots or could put a bit of lime in the mix. Also brick acid and a toothbrush is good for removing mortar splashes x

[@mdmconstruction]

Nice job bit of feb(plastersizer) in the mix if any more brickwork make it more workable just forget about the bricks will blend in if you dont think about them, I'll use that trick with credit card hate siliconing

[@brianparsons9971]

Im a builder of 35 years, you done great, much better than some of the contractors I know, Learning is an experience for all of us, and your seem to be doing great at it !

[@SBanderaB]

Girl, you did good, very very good. So many experienced DIYers would not tackle that sort of job and you did it and managed to video it all for us.

[@ianstockdale964]

I’ve been a builder for nearly 40 years and I think you’ve done a great job. Very capable girl. Good on you 👍

[@clarkey1977]

Clear mind, forward thinker.. i could watch these all day

[@mafish7962]

Congratulations on fitting the doors! You put the company who fitted our windows to shame with your care and attention to details 🐶❤️❤️❤️

[@zombienation68]

Put most double glazing companies to shame 🤣

[@markhannan4712]

Fantastic job well done

[@timpanda3780]

Well done Vikki, I’m no expert but apart from the snags you pointed out I think you’ve done a wonderful job!

[@edwardbisset2624]

As a retired builder can I say you seem to know what you are doing and also planning ahead to avoid future problems great job

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

fyi.. the mortar is starting to brighten!!! 🎉😊

[@dougieranger]

It will do when it dries fully. Why not take away your old storage heaters, install underfloor heating and raise your floor to the height of your new French doors?

[@Jack_Warner]

You made a good job of this. I was a window fitter from 1981 until a few years ago. I've done loads of these. A lot of people make a mistake of making door leafs too wide. If the opening is large it's best to add a couple of sidelights to it. You wouldn't believe the shite that Everest fitted, they would sell French door sets that were 5-6ft wide, then the doors would drop. Even toe and heeling them wouldn't be adequate as they were far too heavy.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Agree!!! I should have mentioned this... the first quote I got from a local company wanted to sell me one with just 2 doors. My Dad said that's ridiculous.. they'll drop. When I rang Roundbrand (they'll always be called Armthorpe Glass to me) - they said they would have to have 2 glass panels to make the rest up - and they were cheaper. Also, i doubt I'd be able to lift glass panels that big on my own!

[@davidr4114]

5 to 6 foot isn't big. 6 foot is only 900mm doors which is a standard size. If you toe and heel like in the video they will drop over time.

[@Jack_Warner]

@@davidr4114 900mm is nearly a bloody metre. How many doors have you seen that are a metre wide, apart from some heavy duty commercial doors? These aren't fit for residential doors. I've got over 40 years experience in this job, and you're talking crap.

[@Swwils]

With 40 years experience you should know these have been installed far too far forward in the opening.

[@davidr4114]

@Jack_Warner all door openings are 920mm wide in the UK. If you can't make a 900mm wide door work, find another job.

[@taz1010]

That's brilliant, I underestimated your capability thinking to myself I bet she struggles with the grinder, but well done 👍 excellent work and very thorough.

[@booshallmighty]

You're brilliant. I bet your dad is super proud of you. I just love how you take on any job and don't let lack of skills or experience get in your way. You remind me of myself. I have this belief that I can do anything, I know I can't but like you I just have this belief that I can do it. This video is great for me, I want to convert my old conservatory. Keep up the great work. Sub right here 😊

[@philchambers2643]

Well done, you did a better job than some so called professionals that I have seen. I think that sometimes when you do a job yourself it's better.

[@jon6343]

Thank you for your hard work and diligence. Your videos are always a joy to watch.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thank you very much! 😀

[@chrisowen8664]

Hi Carpenters Daughter .Your made a first class job of fitting ,and your work ethic is great .With the cement toneing hydrous lime mixed with water ,should lighten the new cement .Regards Chris 😁👍

[@mscaro6555]

Well done Vikkie! I think you did a great job. The house is looking wonderful so far with all your improvements. 👏👏

[@crumplezone1]

Top job young lady, and remember " Experience is slow learning at the cost of some mistakes " Batman..circa 1966

[@laggytim]

The flag changed halfway through from UK to USA. Nice door fit, worked with many people who couldn't fit one.

[@steholmes1297]

Superb job, well done, looks good and so much more light.

[@robogamer5384]

Just done a similar job for my son in oldham.youve done a brilliant job well done .them patios will bring in much more light .

[@didee3900]

I can relate to the sleepless nights worrying whether this will fit and i bet you slept like a log when it was in. Being a serious diy enthusiast myself i can appreciate how labour intensive this job would have been and how the mind would of been in overdrive during the process. But wow the satisfaction we feel when we stretch ourselves and it all works out cannot be beaten.

[@nobbytart27]

Great job, watched this in prep for a full height bathroom window i'm doing. One word of advice after many years drilling, hammering i have noise induced hearing loss and tinnutis, i note you had the hearing protection on with the grinders but not the hammer drill, a hammer drill is well into the hearing damage range, i wear my hearing protection all the time now as soon as the power tools come out, i cant afford to lose anymore.

[@kevanswift7797]

Remove those bottom brick and make floor level to door. Brilliant job done very professional 😊😊

[@Glasgow_kiss]

little tip for expanding foam, instead of cutting it after it sets. give it 10-15 minutes to form a skin but not fully go off. then just push any excess back into the gap with fingers or 5mm packer. this maintains the skin on the foam and forms a better seal.

[@alcg3981]

Superb job! I hope you had a week's worth of warm baths after!❤

[@TJP32]

Excellent job. Very few fitters would do it as well as that. I've only had windows fitted once when I did a full renovation of a property and it was an utter disaster. When fitting the lower bay window, the tiled bay between the floors collapsed into my garden. Most of the windows had to be replaced by another fitter as it was so bad....that was 4-5 months of hell and delayed our build massively. Next time I will do it myself and save thousands.

[@Chanesmyname]

That looks good to me! I couldn’t do that without making a whole mess of it!

[@petehenshall8789]

Great job. Was thinking of taking on the same project a while back but chickened out! Idea for you, get some led lamps to take away the pressure of finishing before it goes dark

[@johnfletcher371]

Superb job, well done!

[@kevinsharp-kn7rm]

Well done, great job. You did fantastic.Doors look great totaly transformed your home. ❤

[@jackdanielsamarreto]

I’ve just flicked through and got to your site 👍Good on you love good luck to you I had a 1930s house in Kent everyone told me to get rid of it I turned into the dearest house in the road by like you determination 👍👍👍

[@jamescharlton924]

Well done on this. I had to get the pros in when it came to my 5 doors left to right bi folding doors. Mostly because we needed steel of specialist design. Pad stones and also building control and planning. It’s defo something that is great to do but just be cautious on what you need and know your limits. Selling the house after can also be tricky if you don’t have all the paperwork and documents.

[@terrywalker4733]

Nice job Vikkie, well done.

[@SG-ut8ef]

This gives me courage to DIY. Thanks for sharing!

[@consumersgasman8376]

could have added pigment to mortar so joints are similar colour, what you removed could act as sample to match, good job, usually foam is applied on the inside.

[@joobie1000]

Very good job you've done there ! 10 / 10 👌👌👌

[@audreymcleod4076]

What a job , fabulous!!

[@poohbear4130]

Well done and with the Dog’s approval!

[@Sheim-b4k]

You’ve done a fantastic job Vicki I’m always in awe of your skills and enthusiasm for tackling such big jobs. I wouldn’t even consider doing something like that and if I did it would look like a dog’s breakfast. Well done you x

[@simonhinson9367]

Excellent effort massive pat on the back and a great saving to boot. Your video will give a lot of people the encouragement to buy and then try to fit them for themselves 👍🏻

[@anthonykenny1120]

looks Fab, Great job, congrats to you both , that was team work

[@michaelsheridan5606]

You did a grand job can’t help wondering why in the UK windows and doors tend to open in. After spending time in Germany most of their windows and doors do the opposite opening out. When I made enquiries their colder winters meant the cold high pressure air outside trying to get to the warm low pressure air inside literally pushes the doors and windows onto the seals reducing drafts. So when we built we went with everything opening out and it does give better draught proofing.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Interesting! I think most French doors here open out. But my Dad insisted I have them open inwards as when it's really windy, they can come off. I particularly listened to this, as it's very windy here near the coast and I do get worried it's not good for our conservatory doors that do open out

[@joparish1037]

Many windows above ground floor level in mainland Europe open in for ease of cleaning. Talking to a German housebuilder, he thought the UK system of opening outwards was far better, for the reasons you mention. We have German-made windows which all open inwards but the locking mechanisms are all multi-point, which mitigates any issues with movement inwards due to pressure differential or strong winds. Even in the worst storms they are totally draught-free.

[@TheOriginal_BigMac]

Great job. You should be proud

[@leesmith1558]

As someone who does this for a living I`d say you`ve done a great job, better than a lot of stuff I see getting done by window companies. A few tips. adding lugs to the cill makes a much nicer job and often eases fitting as the cill cant move inwards. There`s a really important bit of sealing you missed on the cill, It`s the "dam" at either end which stops water blowing underneath the door, off the ends of the cill. I can`t say for sure because I didn`t see the whole room but if that door is simply replacing that window it needed 2 x4000mm trickle vents I think really. Really good job though all in all

[@ched999uk]

Great job and very well presented and explained. Thanks.

[@scottwilson8116]

Great job!!!! I love the way you show the good and the bad in the video. When it comes to the bead, give the glass a very light spray with glass cleaner before fitting the bead as it lubes the gasket enough to reduce resistance ( you dont have to hit so hard and risk cracking the bead. ) . this will also help when it comes to taking them out and replace. the toe and heel trick places the sash in the correct position ready for you to pack the glass so it doesnt drop. you can do the same with a paddle and lift the sash up to pack it. Looking forward to the next video :)

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks for the explanation! I'll be sure to use glass cleaner right from the start next time 😅

[@wisher21uk]

Wow how fantastic you are you did an excellent job there well done Vikkie you’re doing yourself proud 😊

[@TheOnlyHonor]

It looks amazing, just wow! Hans you good boy you have done such a wonderful job lol love Hans just standing there at 13.30 waiting for his tennis ball to be thrown, priorities

[@gingerelvis]

Looking very good, makes a huge difference to the space. I know it probably sounded moany when I commented about leaving the garden and hot tub until later but jobs like this would have been much more pleasant and easier in the warmer months! The daylight hours just run away this time of year, I've had so many jobs lately that have spanned days just because it's getting dark so early! I'm glad weather tighting wasnt one of them!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

I'm so glad I didn't need to board it up!!! 😅

[@roybatty2030]

Lovely work and great result. That mortar will brighten as it dries out. Depending on how easy it is to step in and out, you might find it helpful to build a low stone step outside, it’s an easy job with some nice Indian sandstone bedded on a single course of bricks.

[@RichPober]

26:25 I run the flooring up to the door frame, rather than install a low window sill as a threshold. That way the installation looks more natural as a door. I knock the brickwork out and fix wooden boards up to the door frame. I use 22mm board and screw it into the inside run of wall bricks, as well as the joists if it's an older house. Sometimes I will make the board wider than the brickwork and replace the existing floorboard with a wide sheet of thick board. I make the board wide enough and fix it so that it won't flex when walked on.

[@TracyHutton-d4e]

Great job, looks amazing

[@simonjones9687]

Nice job! I wonder if the mortar in the side bricks will lighten up when they properly dry when the weather warms up.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thankfully the mortar along the top of the left brick has brightened and now looks the same, so hoping the rest will dry like that soon! :)

[@nigelhaines7900]

Nice job Vickie,i would use 5:1 mortar mix with a bit of feb other then that great job

[@TeeTee-zm2re]

Feb?

[@nigelhaines7900]

@@TeeTee-zm2replasticiser (ie feb )

[@PoEt121]

A beautiful job, thanks for sharing your experience🌹🙏

[@guydempster5459]

I'm enjoying your videos. As an owner of a similar 70s house, I am inspired

[@chrissiedyson21]

Gobsmacked! You’ve done a fantastic job.

[@1x3dil]

Great job , I’m the same as you regarding the heal and toe method , but It does seem to work particularly if a door starts to sag . My background is in electrical contracting , but now retired . Being around other trades over many years , has given me some ability to tackle most jobs in the building sector . But it’s nice to see other people taking on work that is often thought only for professionals , in my line of work I tended to be involved with large projects but still did quite a bit in the domestic side . I always used to say give me a person with an adaptive mindset , and I could teach them how to wire a house in a week . Obviously the job is much more regulated than when I started back in 1979 , but even so someone like your good self , could definitely do a lot of the ground work . Anyway I’ve rambled on enough , and such a need is probably not necessary on your project . 😂. Best wishes and kind regards 👍

[@barryroberts6470]

Great job Vikkie you are more braver at attempting that job than me, you mentioned those tiny chips that you said you would replace, any chance a little touch up of silicone would cover the cracks a bit and wouldn't be seen from afar, and if you thought those tiny cracks were bad i'm more likely to somehow put a big crack in the glass, at least you attempted and complete the job more than i would try. TC. Barry (the Wirral)

[@MrMGZT]

Hi Vikkie good work as always, a joy to watch, can't wait for the finish👍🥰

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much 😀

[@StevenThorp-e1q]

Good job. Personally I’d remove the inner course of bricks and depending on the finish floor either fill (insulation and concrete) or bridge the cavity (insulate and sit flooring on the edge of outer brick if there is a lip) then face the upstanding with skirting or whatever!

[@andymarriott8150]

Nice work Vikkie the house is looking amazing and nice and warm just in time for Christmas

[@Mike-Williamson]

Depending on how much it bothers you over time, perhaps have a look at 'brick tinting / dying'. It can also be done to mortar. Not much DIY info out there, but for such a small area to cover, I don't anticipate it would be too tricky to figure out.

[@deniseyluiloveu]

Great job. ❤

[@alisonscurr4395]

Great job as always. It makes to room look so much bigger. You could try using a watered down paint to match the mortar.

[@strannostrannovasrr]

Great Job. Also not the easiest. What kind of fluid did you spray on the silicon kit?

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks. It was Windolene glass cleaner 😀

[@stephnewman1357]

Blimey you've done a great job. 👍😃

[@paulsyms8707]

Great job ... apart from. The big disc cutter..all done with basic everyday tools .very tidy well done

[@BANG_OUT_OF_ORDER]

Really informative and very helpful - great stuff !

[@annehoy9224]

Absolutely marvellous VIKKIE you've done a great job,they look fantastic WELL DONE xxxx❤👍👌👏

[@shugthehornyhaggis]

You are very relaxing to listen to i wish i had an oz of your chill, I'm trying to fit a massive counter worktop alot of creative swearing

[@MrPDawes]

Nice bit of Red Oak along the bottom and up the sides. Looks fab in my bedroom which now has a door onto the flat room of my extension. Seal with a good wax varnish like Osmo

[@blower1]

Nicely done, i've got that same concrete saw and find it quite a handful too - you handled it well i'd say!

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks so much. I wish I had a smaller one, but at least I know this cuts all the way through!

[@nigelmitchell5726]

Turned out great , great job , your great 👍

[@paulr9572]

Some top tips based on having done this a few times. Mitre the top corners of your cloaking fillet, which makes it look much more professional, use clear sealant behind the cloaking fillet, so you don't see any on the brick, and mask the front of any bricks you are inserting with duct tape, so you don't get mortar on the face.

[@boldertash]

Well done, 4 timber wedges might have helped, gun foam is the way to go to fix/solid pack frame. If you have bare block work u could have fixed metal frame ties in that area.

[@icarossavvides2641]

I agree, it's a lot of awkward work to remove those half bricks to level the floor, Just put a nice piece of wood there, after all, there's a step on the outside anyway? Tip, easier and leaves a nicer edge if you cut the plastic with a 2mm metal cutting disc in the angle grinder. I'm not quite sure what the mistake in the title is supposed to have been. I mark the window rails with indelible marker on the inside of both the rail and door, pencil so easily can get rubbed off! Good job, I did a similar job but a new side door where a window had been.

[@martinbarker5045]

A great job. I couldn't have done it.👍

[@julian54801]

I would have taken the base down another course altogether (increase overall hight of door by one brick), it would then leave a very low profile threshold, but with outward opening doors obviously. I did this on my doors and thought it was worth it in the end as when the doors are open the the floor level just flows to the outside with no step

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Thanks! Unfortunately I would've had to cut halfway down the bricks so it wouldn't have been too tight to open the doors inwards and haven't got my flooring down yet

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Sadly it would have left almost no clearance to open doors inwards. I would've had to cut half a brick down as opposed to a full brick and didn't want to faff about with that and accidentally loosen them

[@juliequinlan6564]

Well done Vicki! You made that look easy 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💕💕 and it looks great - I know it will make such a difference with the added light into the living room 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@glenntownsin2110]

Enjoyed watching you install these French doors.. well done! Only 1 real mistake you sealed the door threshold to the cill along the front edge with silicone this will block the conceded drainage holes from allowing rain water to escape! (Easy fix run a Stanley knife “carefully” along the outside gap between door frame and cill😊

[@TheDwight1379]

Another wonderful build video! And Hank seems very happy with them!

[@ronaldkent1971]

Great job

[@mickblower]

Kudos to you, my partner helped me assemble a Sky glass tv last week and broke a nail, you would have thought I had murdered a dog, she was not a happy bunny 😂😂😂

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

Absolutely not a job I would tackle ha - you did fantastic ! they look so good :)

[@SteveMonk1956]

Well done Vickie, grand job. I replaced a double glazed front door and frame in my house and that was a struggle enough so you did good grappling with French doors. Looks smart.

[@cliffthompson9515]

NICE Job VIKKIE ❤️👍👍👍

[@plumpii7177]

Use some brick dust mixed in some masonry paint or something.. brush a little on the cut bricks to give some texture back.. no one would ever look hard enough to see the cuts. Theres videos of people patching bricks on tinternet.

[@catsmad48]

Nice job❤

[@duncanstreet4955]

Absolutely cracking job Vikkie - hats off to you both for your commitment and work ethic - and always nice to hear the advice from your dad!

[@darrenwilliams7741]

Good job 👍 Trickle Vents would of been good though as you now have a log burner that will probably cause hygroscopic salts, and being a bungalow they needs lot more air to circulate or you will get alot of condensation.

[@christopherkingston9601]

Great job fixing the frame head. I worked for a lazy bodging ass for years and one of his bodgemanships was to just use foam. The red tool is called a glazing shovel and the term is toe and heeling. Basically you use packing those two diagonals to create the same effect as the diagonal wood bar on a farm gate, but the force is transmitted across the glass .

[@jameshall9467]

Great job 👏🏻, definitely knock that course of bricks out and fill with screed mix to have a flush floor the hassle of having to keep a piece of wood looking nice over the years will do your head in and make you wish you just did it

[@nigelmitchell5726]

Great tips your giving vikkie 😊

[@Mattherat15]

Great job well done.

[@itsmrfish1]

Great job When I worked for a leading national window company we had to do all this in 1 day Very difficult in winter Should have sat the cill on mortar

[@unkleoo]

good idea to silicone in place the packers that are vertical on the heel and toe so they don't slip down over time as doors get shaken about. Depending on where the drainage holes are on the frame, on the sill only want to silicone the upstand towards the inside edge, not cover the sill all over the place because it can obstruct the drainage down through the frame depending on where the drainage holes have been cut. I usually use a small offcut of wooden battern or 3x2 to protect the glazing beads instead of hitting them directly with a hammer.

[@jimstelfox6120]

Turned out ok the DIY method which I have done will always have the little bits that are non professional, I did take the lower bricks off mine so I could floor up to the door. Some numpty had filled the cavity with all the brick and cement rubbish thus breaking any damp proof membrane, there was no membrane in place and the cavity was cemented over and a piece of wood was put over the lot. No cavity closures on bottom or sides, so the dog found it amusing to make holes at the bottom of the sides ( he called it air con for dogs )

[@jonesyzk4]

Knock the brickwork out at the bottom, put vizqueen (not spelt right) in the hole then fill with concrete. Smooth it out level with your existing floor then your flooring can go straight upto the new doors. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kellyslattery1383]

Great job Vikkie! 😊