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When selecting doors, you’ll find two distinct categories: pre-hung doors, which come with a frame, and slab doors, which do not include a frame. This difference becomes particularly important if you plan to handle the purchase and installation on your own. Choosing the incorrect type of door could result in a poor fit with your existing doorframe. Continue reading to discover the differences between pre-hung and slab doors, and to determine which option may be the most suitable for your requirements.
Contents
What exactly is a pre-hung door?
A pre-hung door consists of a door slab that comes pre-attached to a three-sided frame with hinges. This type of door is offered by the manufacturer as a fully assembled unit, making it convenient for installation, although it may require some extra components for specific needs.
A pre-hung door, which typically costs more than a slab door, is a largely self-sufficient assembly that comes with a frame designed to fit into a prepped door opening.
When sold, pre-hung doors are securely packaged within their frames using polyester tension straps and plastic spacers to ensure they remain stable and do not shift or twist while in transit.
| Pre-Hung Doors: Common Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Features Included | Features Not Included |
| Door slab | Doorknob |
| Hinges | Metal strike plate |
| Frame | Surface coating (paint or stain) |
| Frame pre-cut for the strike plate | Fasteners |
| Mortises cut in the door | Shims |
| Pre-cut hole for the doorknob | |
The installation of a pre-hung door requires precision, particularly when it comes to exterior pre-hung doors, due to the necessity for superior weather sealing. These exterior doors are quite heavy, making them challenging to transport and position within the doorframe. The majority of exterior doors designed for retrofitting are available in a pre-hung configuration.
A general guideline to follow is that if you possess an existing doorframe that includes casing and trim, you should avoid buying a pre-hung door. The sole exception to this is if you plan to strip everything down to the bare studs.
Tip
When setting up a pre-hung door, it’s important to leave all packaging materials intact, including the tension straps, until you are ready to position the door. Additionally, retain the pre-hanging clips to avoid the door from unexpectedly swinging open while you are installing it.
What exactly is a slab door?
A slab door is a simple, unadorned door that lacks a frame. It is up to the DIY enthusiast or installer to secure the slab door to a pre-existing door frame or to construct a brand new frame. These doors can be acquired with or without a pre-drilled hole for the doorknob.
| Characteristics of Slab Doors: Common Attributes | |
|---|---|
| Features Included | Features Not Included |
| Door slab | Doorknob |
| Pre-cut hole for the doorknob (if chosen) | Metal strike plate |
| Surface coating (paint or stain) | |
| Mortises | |
| Shims | |
| Hinges | |
Pre-Hung Doors: Advantages and Disadvantages
- Hinges already affixed to the frame.
- There’s no requirement to create a frame from the beginning.
- It is not essential to mortise the hinges.
- The opening for the doorknob has been pre-drilled.
- The opening for the strike plate on the doorframe has been pre-drilled.
- Bulky and difficult to transport.
- There is no assurance that the door will operate smoothly.
- The frame is delicate before it is installed.
Pros
Pre-hung doors simplify and expedite the process of new construction. When the area designated for the door is clear and accessible, installing a pre-hung door is a breeze, as it is almost fully assembled and includes its own frame. In contrast, installing a slab door requires you to construct the frame from the ground up. Although this task is manageable, it does increase the overall workload of your project.
When the current door frame is severely damaged or distorted, making it unfeasible to install a slab door, it is generally more practical to remove the entire door section, including the frame, and begin anew with a pre-hung door.
When it comes to exterior walls, opting for a pre-hung door is often the superior choice. These doors are designed to be weather-tight right from the package, eliminating the need for additional adjustments to ensure a snug fit. On the other hand, installing a weatherproof exterior slab door can be quite challenging for those without extensive experience. Pre-hung doors simplify the installation process, making it more accessible for those who prefer to tackle the project themselves.
Cons
Pre-hung doors can be quite cumbersome and challenging to handle. The lightest option available, a pre-hung interior door featuring a hollow core, typically weighs between 50 and 100 pounds. Regardless of weight, these doors are generally large and difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, pre-hung exterior doors often exceed 100 pounds, necessitating the assistance of two robust individuals for transportation. Additionally, if you own a compact vehicle, it can be difficult to transport a pre-hung door.
Installing a pre-hung door might appear straightforward, yet achieving the correct alignment can be challenging. Although the intricate process of attaching the door slab to the frame is eliminated, you still need to ensure the entire pre-hung assembly fits properly within the door frame. Like any door, pre-hung units need to be shimmed. If not installed correctly, even a pre-hung door can experience issues with swinging and closing.
Additionally, remember that you must complete all the surrounding tasks, including drywall installation, painting, and the fitting of trim, along with any necessary staining or painting.
Slab Doors: Advantages and Disadvantages
- More affordable than pre-hung doors.
- Offers enhanced design versatility, including options for vintage doors.
- Mortises need to be created.
- Demands significant woodworking efforts.
- Challenging to achieve a fluid motion and a snug fit.
Pros
If budget constraints are a major consideration, you might consider the option of installing slab doors, as they typically come at a significantly lower price compared to pre-hung door systems.
Slab doors offer significantly greater design versatility compared to pre-hung doors. For instance, if you come across a vintage or distinctive door that you wish to incorporate into your home, a slab door allows you to do just that. Doors salvaged from architectural sources are typically found in slab form, while pre-hung versions are much less common.
When fitting an interior door, consider opting for a slab door instead of a pre-hung unit. Interior spaces tend to be more accommodating for less-than-perfect installations, since weatherproofing is not a concern.
Slab doors are more suitable for installations involving a limited number of units. If you’re putting in just one or two interior doors, you’ll have the additional time and patience needed to tackle this more challenging task.
Cons
Installing a slab door demands precision, attention to detail, and ample experience. The process becomes simpler when replacing an old door with a new one that matches its size and design exactly. However, if there are discrepancies in size or design, achieving a proper fit can be quite challenging.
If you’re not entirely confident in your building abilities but still want to put in a slab door, opting for a new slab might be a better choice than a reclaimed one. A new slab door tends to be more level and accurate compared to a second-hand door. On the other hand, recycled slab doors often require additional effort, including planing, sanding, and alignment.
