Fit a door chain or door limiter

Fit a door chain or limiter to your front door, choosing the right fixing for a timber, composite or uPVC door and frame.

DC-01Check you're allowed to fit oneIf you rent, check your tenancy agreement before drilling into the front door or frame — some landlords don't allow it. If your door is a fire door (common in flats and converted houses), a chain or limiter can stop it closing and sealing properly in a fire. Ask your landlord or building manager if you're not sure whether your door is a fire door.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Fitting hardware to a fire door can affect its performance. If you live in a flat, HMO, or rented property, check with your landlord or managing agent first.

DC-02Choose the right chain or limiterA chain is cheaper and easier to fit but can be forced. A limiter (a short rigid arm) is stronger and harder to lever open, and is the better choice for a front door. Measure the gap between door and frame edge where you want to fix it, and buy a chain or limiter long enough to let the door open a few centimetres but no more.

1 each · Door chain

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1 each · Door limiter (alternative to chain)

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DC-03Work out what your door and frame are made ofKnock on the door and frame with your knuckle. A dull, solid thud usually means solid timber or a composite door (timber or foam core with a GRP skin). A hollow rattle with a slight metallic ring means a uPVC door, which has steel reinforcement boxes inside a plastic profile. This changes which screws you need, so check both the door and the frame before you mark any holes.

DC-04Mark the fixing positionsHold the frame plate against the door frame at a comfortable height, usually around 1400-1500mm from the floor, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Close the door and hold the chain or limiter plate against the door itself to mark its holes, keeping both plates level with each other.

1 each · Pencil

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1 each · Tape measure

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DC-05Avoid the lock mechanism on uPVC and composite doorsuPVC and composite doors often have a multipoint locking mechanism running vertically inside the door edge, roughly in line with the handle and keyhole. Keep your marked holes at least 50mm clear of this line. If you're not sure where it runs, keep fixings away from the handle height and towards the top or bottom corner of the door instead.

DC-06Drill pilot holes to suit the materialOn a timber or composite door and frame, use a bradawl or drill a 2mm pilot hole a few millimetres deep — this stops the screw splitting the wood and guides it in straight. On uPVC, drill a small test hole first: if you hit solid resistance and see metal swarf, you've found the steel reinforcement box, so use self-tapping screws that will bite into it. If the hole feels loose or hollow all the way through, reposition slightly rather than forcing a fixing into empty plastic profile.

1 each · Bradawl

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1 each · Drill bit, 2mm

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DC-07Screw the plates in placeFit the frame plate first using the screws supplied, driving them straight and not overtightening — this can crack timber or strip a uPVC pilot hole. Close the door gently and fit the chain or limiter plate to the door in the same way, checking both plates line up and sit flat.

1 each · Screwdriver

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DC-08Test the chain or limiterWith the door closed, engage the chain or limiter and try opening the door slowly to check it stops at a safe gap and doesn't snag or rattle loose. Open and close it a few times to make sure it slides smoothly, then check every screw is tight.

DC-09Tidy upVacuum up any dust or plastic swarf from drilling, wipe down the door and frame, and put the packaging and spare screws somewhere safe in case you need to reposition the chain later.

1 each · Vacuum cleaner (use existing)

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