Pre-Hung Doors Vs. Slab Doors: Comparison And Tips To Choose

Did you know that installing a new door can boost the value of your home by as much as 65%? It is also one of the best ways to upgrade the look and feel of your home without breaking the bank.

If you are searching for new doors, two common choices you will come across are; pre-hung doors, and slab doors. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, thus it’s important to know their specs before you make a purchase.

In this blog post, we will compare prehung vs slab doors. Also, we'll give you some tips on how to choose the right one for your home. We are going to cover topics like cost, installation, and more, so you can make an informed decision.

What Is A Slab Door?

A slab door is typically a wood interior door that is not attached to any frame or hinges. It is a single, solid piece of material. These structures are popular because they are easy to customize and they are very versatile. You can use a slab door for just about any type of interior entryway, including the home office, library, bedroom, and kitchen.

What Is A Pre-Hung Door?

These are doors that come with a frame and hinges already attached. These structures are ready to be hung on your opening. Pre-hung are more expensive than slabs, but they are also much easier to install.

Slab vs Prehung Doors — What's The Difference?

Both of these options are excellent choices when you are looking to update any entryway in your home. However, figuring out the differences when comparing a pre hung vs slab door will help you determine which is best for your needs. 

One key difference between slab and prehung doors is the installation process. 

Slab doors typically come unprepared and need some work before they can be installed. They are made out of a single piece of material, don’t have any pre-cut holes, or accompanying hardware and accessories, and may have a solid core. 

You will have to trim the slab to fit your entryway opening, drill holes for the hardware and accessories so that it matches your existing frame, and then polish or paint when you are done.

Pre-hung panels, on the other hand, come assembled with their frame, hinges, weatherstripping, threshold, and pre-cut hole for the handles. This model is painted or polished at the factory and is ready to be installed into the entryway. 

Another key difference between these two options is the price. A slab door is usually cheaper than a pre-hung door.

Pre-Hung Doors: Pros And Cons

If you are trying to decide whether to go with a prehung or slab door, it is important to first know what you are getting into. Check out the pros and cons of the pre-hung option so that you can make an informed decision.

Pros

• Ready to install. 
• All-in-one package. 
• More options for interior design. 
• A faster installation process.
• You get a nicer-looking entryway. 
• Can be installed as a DIY project. 

Cons

While it has its good sides, pre-hung also has a few drawbacks. Some of these downsides are:

• Heavy and more challenging to manage on your own.
• Minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure that it fits properly in the opening.
• It can be tricky to get a good fit.
• They are pricey compared to slabs.

Slab Doors: Pros And Cons

If you are thinking of buying slab doors, here are the pros and cons you should be aware of.

Pros

• Compared to the pre-hung option, they are less expensive
• Allows for greater design flexibility
• Provides good insulation
• Durable and long-lasting

Cons

These are the downsides to choosing a slab door. 

• It is difficult to create a tight fit and smooth swing
• Requires painting or staining as well as outfitting
• Involves extensive carpentry work
• Time-consuming to prepare and install

Differences In Costs

Pre-hung doors are generally more expensive than their slab counterparts. However, they are usually easier and faster to install because they come with the frame and hardware already attached. 

Slabs don’t come with a frame or hardware. They require you to measure and cut by yourself, which can be challenging if you're not experienced with carpentry. However, they give you more flexibility in terms of style since you can choose any style you want, without being limited by what's available with a pre-hung.

Having said that, it is important to point out that the cost of these two options can also vary depending on the features. 

Some of the factors that affect the cost of a slab or prehung door are: 

• The components used in construction
• Hollow vs solid structure
• The craftsmanship of the product

When Each Type Fits Best

If you are looking to cover a rough opening, a pre-hung solution will work best for you. If you’re also looking to replace a door that has a damaged frame, then a pre-hung will work well also. You don’t need to install any hinge, cut the strike plate hole, or build a new frame. All these elements come together with your new product. You simply replace the old with the new and you are done. 

Pre-hung is also a good idea if you are looking to replace your exterior doors. These structures are usually watertight and weathertight, and so will work well in exterior locations.

Slab doors on the other hand work well if you are updating an entryway that has a good existing frame. This option also fits if you are looking to create a custom piece, want to replace an old or damaged panel with an identical one, or want a vintage, rustic look for your entryway. 

Slabs are usually recommended as interior doors because it is difficult to create a weathertight seal if you want to use them as external entry doors. 

How To Make The Best Choice For Your Design And Needs

If you're planning on doing a bit of home renovation, you might be wondering what is a prehung door vs slab and how to make the best choice between the two.

At the end of the day, it really depends on your needs and preferences. If you're looking for an easy installation, then a pre-hung is the way to go. However, if you want something that is a bit more unique or you're working with a unique space, then slab panels may be the better option.

Whatever choice you decide on between prehung doors vs slab doors, it is best to buy from a reliable entry doors manufacturer like United Porte. Not only will you find multiple options here, but you can also count on getting a product that is made from the finest materials, durable, and warranty-backed.

Conclusion

As you can see, there's a lot to consider when updating your entrance. Hopefully, though, now that you know what is the difference between slab and prehung doors, and what their respective pros and cons are, it is easier to choose the right one for your needs.

So if you are thinking of transforming your space and want to start from the entryway, there’s nothing stopping you from getting started. Start shopping today.