A Guide to Prehung Exterior Doors

Written by: ETO Doors

If it’s time for a change to one or all of your exterior doors, you essentially have two options that you can choose from, slab or prehung. Now, each specific door type has its own advantages and while many are split, this guide is designed to promote the benefits of installing a prehung exterior door over a slab door.

Separating the Two

A slab door is just a door without any additional hardware. You can look at it like receiving a slab of wood that’s ready for customization. On the other hand you have prehung exterior doors that are already installed in their frames, making the task at hand much easier. Most prehung entry doors come with basic hardware like latches, handles, and hinges. You’ll also notice that these doors are significantly heavier than a slab door because it’s already installed in the frame. Therefore, if you’re planning on taking on this job by yourself, it wouldn’t hurt to have another helping hand by your side.

Costs

Much of the costs of a prehung exterior door come from the materials that they’re made of. For example, a door that’s made from oak would cost much less than say, hemlock or aluminum. Bring an ideal budget with you when you’re shopping so that you can eliminate doors that aren’t within your particular range.

Treating Your Door

Treat your prehung exterior doors periodically to sustain its durability. For example, if you purchase a wooden prehung door, then it’s wise that to stain it with a coat of high quality gloss. An eye on quality will improve the doors’ overall longevity. Another beneficial application would be shellac, however, not all types of wood can be coated with this product so be sure that you become familiar with the specific wood that you chose.