Seeking out a new door is a very exciting prospect. A new door can add a breath of fresh air to the look and feel of a home. However, choosing and preparing for a new door installation can be tricky. Besides ensuring you obtain the right size, you will also need to be aware of the many variations on how the door may arrive. Primarily, you will need to know how to choose between pre-hung and slab doors.

What Is a Pre-Hung Door?

A pre-hung door is the deluxe package of the entryway. These doors are shipped already set in a frame and often come with the most essential hardware set in place. They do not usually include all the necessary hardware, as doorknobs and locking mechanisms are typically selected by the homeowner to match their preferences and needs. Some special designs may include matching hardware, though. These doors come ready to be installed and need very little extra effort. It is possible to obtain minimalist pre-hung doors, such as unfinished wood, but usually, they are fully completed.

What Is a Slab Door?

A slab door is essentially what it sounds like. These doors come with zero bells and whistles—no hardware, no frame, and often no stain, finish, or paint. The whole thing is as straightforward as can be. It’s simply a door that’s ready for whatever a homeowner has planned. They come in as many variations as pre-hung doors and can be customized with different wood species, measurements, designs, and shapes. Whatever door you choose will still be bare bones. The inner do-it-yourselfer can shine through with a project involving a slab door. Slabs are great options for inside the house, and with options such as interior oak doors pre-finished, customizing and installing a slab door is a pleasure.

Which Should I choose?

How to choose between pre-hung and slab doors comes down to what you need for your project. For someone who’s really into DIY projects, unfinished pre-hung or bare-bones slabs will be much more fun. For someone who just wants a door that’s ready to go, pre-hung doors are always best. For homes with solid frames that are in need of a more custom door, a slab is better.

Moving from a slab to a pre-hung option lets a buyer try out new frame designs and experiment with more varied looks. You can replace a plain frame entryway at the same time as the door for a more unique look, such as sidelights, double doors, or a more unusual door size or shape. By contrast, a slab works more like an easy update to a home’s look; simply choose a door and fit it in an existing entryway design.

Regardless of the nature of your entryway renovation project, Nick’s Building Supply is ready to help. With over forty years in the business, we have the expertise to field any questions and get you the exact solid wood door you need.