Prehung Doors v. Slab Doors
There are two major types of door installations: prehung doors and slab doors. While they’re both excellent choices and can update and transform your home, it’s good to know more about each door and discover which one is perfect for you.
Prehung Doors
Prehung doors are already in their own frame and install all at once. These doors are ideal for a new construction, replacement of a damaged door frame or a home requiring a weather-tight door. In addition to the frame, prehung doors also come with hardware, hinges and pre-cut door knob hole. Because they’re pre-assembled, a prehung door is easier to install (although it takes two people to handle the door because of its weight) and takes less time than a slab door.
Slab Doors
Slab doors are just the door by itself — no hinges, knobs or a frame. A fraction of the cost of prehung doors, a slab door is the choice when you want more design flexibility or if you’re only installing one or two doors. With a slab door, you’ll need to purchase a metal strike plate, shims and mortises along with hinges and a doorknob. Slab doors are lighter than a prehung door and cost less, too, making them a budget-friendly option.
Take a Few Measurements
Your door size is based on three measurements:
- Height of the rough opening
- Width of the rough opening
- Jamb depth
To accurately measure for a new door, consider the following before pulling out the tape measure:
- Rough openings frame the door opening and are generally 2 inches wider and taller than the door being installed.
- The size of the door jamb is the width of the frame from back to front as it meets the wall stud of your house.
- The net frame dimension is the full measurement of the width of the door frame.
Exterior Door Measurements: Standard and Special-Orders
When purchasing a new door, consider the measurements.
Standard Exterior Doors
The standard and most common size for an exterior or front door is 36 inches wide by 80 inches However, there are a few other common dimensions for exterior doors and they vary in width and height, from 30 to 42 inches and 80 to 96 inches, respectively.
Nominal Size Single Exterior Doors (width and height)
36 inches by 80 inches (standard)
30 inches by 80 inches (common on older homes)
32 inches by 80 inches
34 inches by 80 inches
36 inches by 96 inches (common for newer homes)
Rough opening for single doors should be 2-1/2 inch wider and 2 inches taller than the door.
Nominal Size Double Exterior Doors (width and height)
60 inches by 80 inches
68 inches by 80 inches
72 inches by 80 inches
Special-Order Doors
Custom or special-order exterior doors can be designed to fit your specific needs and can vary significantly depending on the type of door. With special-order doors, you can get features like extra width, custom hardware, decorative glass, etc.
Depending on the manufacturer, special-order door heights can range from 72 inches up to 96 inches or taller with widths up to 48 inches (for single doors).
Sizes reflected are for the door panels only, not the door frame.
Consider the Swing
Visualize yourself facing the door from the outside. Outswing doors open toward you, and inswing doors open away from you. Both swing options come with left- and right-handed configurations.
Entry Doors and Exterior Doors: Helpful Terms
Looking to invest in custom front doors, a front entry door with sidelites (sidelights), a storm door or another type of exterior door? Here's some lingo to help you make an informed decision.
Inswing (I/S): A door that opens inward.
Outswing (O/S): A door that opens outward.
Left Hand: An I/S door with hinges on the left or an O/S door with hinges on the right.
Pro Tip: Hinge placement refers to the door when viewed from the outside looking into the home.
Right Hand: An I/S door with hinges on the right or an O/S door with hinges on the left.
Lite: A pane of glass in a door.
Divided Lite: Panes of glass that are divided or appear to be.
Grille: Plastic, wooden or metal details that give the appearance of divided lites.
Caming: Strips for joining segmented glass.
Brickmould: Moulding used around a door (or window) that fills the gap between where the door and the wall of the house meet.
Slab Door: A rectangular slab of wood, composite or steel without hinges or other hardware.
Prehung Door: A complete, ready-to-install door that includes a door slab, hinges and outer frame that fits into a prepared doorway.
Doors are measured in feet and inches. A standard door measures 36 inches wide by 80 inches high by 1-3/4 inches thick. It's also called a 3/0 by 6/8 by 1-3/4, which means 3 feet, 0 inches by 6 feet, 8 inches by 1-3/4 inches.
Entry Door Materials at a Glance
There's no shortage of front door styles and, overall, most entry doors perform equally well. But the materials they're made of — fiberglass, steel or wood — do have strengths and weaknesses. Whether you're looking for modern front doors, iron front doors, contemporary front doors, craftsman-style front doors or even custom front doors, we can help you pick the front door designs, colors and accents you want.
Steel Front Doors
- Often have tighter-fitting frames and energy-efficient core insulation.
- Some models use double- or triple-panel insulating glass to reduce heat transfer.
- Fully weatherstripped; highly resistant to shrinking, swelling and warping.
- Durable, steel construction requires little maintenance in harsh weather.
- Pre-drilled door knob and lockset hole options make them easier to install.
- Come pre-primed and ready to paint.
- Typically have more insulating value than wooden doors.
Fiberglass Front Doors
- Are easy to install.
- Work well in extreme climates and high-traffic entrances.
- Have similar energy-saving qualities as steel doors.
- Can be made with a grain texture to mimic the look of a real wood door.
- Usually have the longest warranties compared to wood and steel doors.
- Made of high-quality composite construction, they resist all sorts of weather, scratches and dents.
Wooden Front Doors
- Are heavy and sturdy with a more traditional look.
- Can be painted or stained for a natural, warm appearance.
- Wood species range from inexpensive composites to more costly fir or walnut.
- Work best when installed in a more protected or shaded area.
- The best wooden front doors generally are more intricate and thicker.
- Higher-end wooden door panels measure more than an inch thick, while economy models measure less than an inch thick.
- Frame and panel construction counteracts the effects of weather or seasonal changes.
Wrought Iron Entry Doors
- Also called iron entry doors, they're built to withstand the elements and are among the safest and most secure options for home entrances.
- Available in a variety of designs that can be customized to include different types of glass and hardware, such as handles and locks.
- Generally more expensive, they can be difficult to install and move because of their weight.
For maximum savings, look for ENERGY STAR® certified entry doors.
All About Entry Door Accents
Your door can make a powerful statement. There are many elements — including door design, material and hardware — that all work together to create a personal look to reflect your style.
Here are types of hardware and accents that can add functionality and design to an entry door. Some can also help keep your front door secure.
- Deadbolt: A deadbolt lock provides added entry door security. For added convenience, consider an electronic deadbolt that allows keyless entry.
- Door Knocker: A knocker gives your door an attractive look that can range from classic to modern. Options include brass, bronze, satin nickel and matte black.
- Door Viewer: You might also call this feature a door peephole. Install an entry door viewer at a height all members of the family can reach.
- Doorbell: Choose from a simple button style to a wireless, eight-note version with decorative interior chimes. You can also find video doorbells with built-in cameras for added peace of mind.
- Front Door With Sidelites: Sidelites are glass panels that let natural light in and add an elegant look to a door. You can find doors with sidelites on the right or left and doors with sidelites on both sides.
- Glass Styles and Shapes: You can customize some doors to include decorative glass. While many front doors have insulated glass for energy efficiency, others may have frosted glass, textured glass or privacy glass. Glass comes in several shapes, including full lite, half lite or 1/4 lite. Other options include doors with several lites and doors with oval lites.
- Handleset: A handleset, often part of a hardware package for either an exterior or the interior door, includes the lock cylinder, latch, strike plate and the handle, lever or knob.
- Blinds Between the Glass: In-glass blinds make it easy to control privacy and control the amount of natural light a door allows in.
- Kick Plate: A metal kick plate attached to the bottom of the door protects the door finish from shoe scuff marks. It also gives the door a polished appearance.
- Panels: Panels give doors a more three-dimensional look. A recessed panel conveys traditional style. The six-panel door design is classic, but you can also find one-panel doors, two-panel doors and more.
- Transom: This decorative accent above a set of front doors can add an elegant look.
Some entry door accents have relatively simple installations, making them great do-it-yourself projects. Our how-tos will help you install a deadbolt, replace a handleset or lockset, install a door viewer and replace a doorbell button.
Patio Doors
The selection of patio doors, French doors and sliding glass doors is as diverse as their sizes. They range from about 5 to 13 feet.
French Doors
- Available in the same materials as sliding glass doors.
- Steel and fiberglass patio doors have the same characteristics of modern front doors of the same material.
- Can be made with a left- or right-handed I/S, O/S or so both doors open.
- Available with or without brickmould stops, or trim, in the center.
Sliding Glass Doors
With the same natural aesthetic qualities as traditional wooden doors but with the added bonus of large window to see through, sliding glass doors often are made of:
- Aluminum, which usually costs less, won't rust and is easy to maintain.
- Clad-wood, which has the look of real wood on the inside and a vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum coating on the outside to protect it from the elements.
- Vinyl, a low-maintenance and durable option built with low-emissive, insulated glass and factory-installed weatherstripping for maximum energy efficiency.
- Wood, which often is the highest quality and the most expensive.
We've got tips for painting a front door and choosing a storm door. Don't have time to install a front door yourself? Take a look at our door installation services.