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Pre-Hung vs. Unassembled Doors
Pre-Hung doors are doors that can be purchased already hinged and hung on a fully-assembled set of side and top jambs. This also includes a threshold along the bottom if it's an exterior door. Door casing, also known as trim, is often installed on one side of the jambs.
A pre-hung door will cost you a little more than buying a door, jamb, and the trim separately, but it will save you a lot of time and it will most likely result in a better installation. A variety of pre-hung exterior door units are available. They include single doors, double doors, and doors with sidelights.
Pre-hung doors are the easiest to install, but it does require you to remove the old door and its jambs or create a new rough opening to put them in. Unfortunately, that process sometimes creates a different set of problems. However, with a pre-hung door you will avoid having to cut the jamb, three stop pieces, and six casing pieces; mortise and install.
Similarly, pre-hung interior doors have much of the work done for you when you receive them. But there is still some work for you to do to ensure a perfect fit. Usually the manufacturer will leave some extra length on each of the side jambs. This is done on purpose so you can adjust for a floor that is out of level across the width of the door opening. This is the first thing to check for.
Sometimes it doesn’t seem practical to replace your entire door and frame. If you simply want to replace an existing door, you can purchase a new door blank which is just the door. You could also purchase a door blank with unassembled jambs. You can then assemble them yourself on-site or pay a lumberyard to do that job.
Keep in mind, hanging an unassembled door is much more difficult than hanging a pre-hung door. It takes more tools, knowledge and more time. It requires you to get a door slab, an unassembled door jamb, hinges and door hardware and do all the mortising, drilling, rabbeting on site.
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- Choosing Exterior Doors
- Choosing Interior Doors
- Fiberglass Doors
- Flush vs. Panel Doors
- Hinged Doors
- Patio Doors
- Pocket Doors
- Sliding Doors
Patio Doors
Patio doors are an uplifting feature to any home. Their design is made to let in
natural light which creates a more cheerful and safer interior space. Not only
can a patio door enhance natural light, but it can also be a striking
architectural accent. Not to mention, you will be able to enjoy an outdoor view
and expend your entertaining space.
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Flush vs. Panel Doors
A door’s design contributes much to the overall scheme of a room and, indeed, an
entire home. Flush doors do their function, but they bring little to the table
as far as style goes. Panel doors, on the other hand, offer the look of fine
craftsmanship while also allowing builders to customize a home’s interior.
However, personal taste and price often dictate what kind of door surface to
choose.
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Interior vs. Exterior Doors
The main difference between interior and exterior doors is obvious in that
interior doors are constructed to suit the needs of interior floors plans and
exterior doors are constructed to perform according to exterior needs. When
shopping for doors your first consideration will be whether you need interior or
exterior doors. Interior and exterior doors have several small distinct
differences.
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Making Your Doors Draft Free
One of the most important functions of an exterior door is to keep outside
temperatures from entering into the house. In order to do this, your exterior
door needs to be properly sealed. Unfortunately, a door's weather seals can rip,
compress, bend, or wear out over time, leaving chilly winter air or scorching
summer air free to enter.
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