Updated · 3 min read
In short
- Windows and the front door go in soon after the structure, before internal plastering.
- Position the frames for the final thickness of render and external insulation, not the bare wall.
- Interior doors come near the end, after painting.
Why windows come relatively early
Windows and external doors are usually fitted soon after the structure is finished and before internal plastering — the openings need closing as soon as possible to protect the interior from the weather and to let plastering and finishing work happen in a space sheltered from wind, rain and big temperature swings.
The junction with plaster and external insulation
Window installation has to be coordinated with the final thickness of the render and any external insulation — the frame is positioned taking that extra layer into account, not just the thickness of the bare wall. A window fitted without considering this can end up too deep or too proud of the finished façade.
Protecting the windows during the rest of the work
Once fitted, windows stay exposed to the rest of the work (dust, mortar, paint) for many months, so protecting them with film or masking tape throughout prevents scratches and stains that are hard to clean off frames and glass.
Interior doors come much later
Unlike windows and the front door, interior doors are fitted only near the end of the work, after painting and just before or just after the final flooring, depending on the fitting method — reversing that order risks damaging frames or door leaves through dust and the surrounding work.
Calculators for this job
Renovation budget calculator
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Plaster calculator
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Insulation board calculator
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