www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi,

My conservatory doors don't close very well. One of them was scraping along the bottom of the frame and closing the doors by using the handle to move the latch is problematic because the latch is catching.

I raised one of the doors by adjusting its hinges so it clears the frame but the latch still catches.

What are the general principles for setting these style of doors correctly? I am guessing that it could involve perfectly levelling both doors as a start.

Thanks for any advice.

Not clear from the photo, but they may need 'heel and toeing'. The principle being that the weight of the glass is pulling the doors out of shape. Usually cured by using the glass to 'brace' the door by inserting plastic shims at opposing corners and secured by mastic.

Think of it in form of how the glass is supported (or not) in the frame. For the left hand door (as per photo), with the glass not being a pliable material, shimming at the bottom left (bottom and side) establishes a 'base' from which to exert forces. Then, at the top right, side and top, insert shims, particularly top, which then forces the door [frame] to assume a true rectangular.

There should be plenty if you search on the subject.

it may not have require lifting as such
it could be the top hinge needs pulling back into the frame and the middle about half the amount
could also be the frame fixing has let go a bit letting the frame move out with the weight
how do the gaps look top to bottom between door edges

both sides need to be exactly plumb and level.

As an aside my neighbour has the same problem, one corner of the conservatory has subsided...

I was able to make it "lockable" by removing and moving the latches by about 8mm .