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.
Looking For More Information On Doors?
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