New Doors - What to do

[Wombat2]

Two request regarding the installation of new doors-

Situation is we are pulling out a large aluminum sliding door and replacing it with two timber French doors in a timber frame. The opening is 1800 wide and 2050 high. We found an 'orphan' in the local Timber window/door manufacturing place that is 1820 wide and at $500 cheaper than custom made so took it. Herein lies the two questions,

The salesman said hire a brick cutter and whip 20mm off the bricks on one side of the opening - my thoughts are to cut 20mm of the width of the door frame and shave 10mm off the outside edge of each door. - What are your thoughts? (consider I have, and am used to handling the woodworking machinery but never used a brick cutter in situ before)

The other question is installation- I had imagined installing the timber frame 'halfway' in the wall with a bit of brick work return showing and using Parliament Hinges to bring the doors out and swing flat against the wall when open. Again the salesman said that the frame edge should be installed flush with the brickwork and there is no need for Parliament Hinges. - Opinions please?

[journeyman Mick]

I'd take the 20mm off the frame and 5mm off each edge of both doors. With the jamb placement and hinges it's a visual preference thing, take your pick (although parliament hinges are more expensive).

Mick

[echnidna]

The salesman's a clod.
If you cut bricks the surfaces won't look the same as the rest of the brickwork

I 'd narrow the door jamb AND the doors.
And use the parliament hinges

Mick and I both posted about the same time so theres 2 builders saying the same thing.

[Ronaldo451]

I had exactly the same situation - trimmed each side of the two doors and the frame. MUCH easier trimming timber than bricks! Parliament hinges are a bit dearer (have a look on Ebay - there is a mob selling them on there all the time) but are a good effect if you want the doors to be able to swing right back against the wall. Good luck, Ron

[Wombat2]

Thanks guys.Now that I have the door on site and can measure accurately the frame is 1840 wide and the opening between the bricks is 1830-35. The jambs on the frame are 30mm thick so would it be better to shave up to 5mm each side and leave the doors alone or still pull the frame apart and shorten the lintel and tread?Re the Parliament Hinges - SWMBO doesn't want brass so I'm looking at chromed or zinc plate ones at Bunnings - $23 a pair seems resonable (except now I've got the doors there are 3 hinges on each)