Pre-Hung vs Slab Doors Toronto: What You Need to Know

When choosing a new door, there are several important considerations that may be running through your mind. This is especially important for your entry door, which is the gateway to your home. Along with security, durability, insulation, and style, you will also need to decide if you’re getting a pre-hung door or a slab door.

Both kinds of doors come with their own set of advantages, but if you need to choose one, the main factor you need to consider is which one best fits your specific needs. In this article, we will talk about their differences and similarities, as well as the pros and cons of choosing one or the other.

Let’s get started!

The Anatomy of a Door

To better understand what pre-hung doors and slab doors are all about, we first need to define the terminology of a door’s design.

1. The Door Panel or Slab

This refers to the door itself that swings on a hinge. Just by this terminology, you can already get a clue what a slab door type is.

2. The Head Jamb & The Side Jamb

These are parts of the door frame. The head jamb is the top horizontal part of the door frame while the side jamb consists of the two vertical parts.

3. The Mullion or Mull

When two doors are joined or when a door is joined to a vertical fixed glass window beside it, the seam in between the frames is called the mullion or the mull.

4. The Sill & The Threshold

The sill is the bottom part of the door frame that is fastened to the floor. These are typically found on exterior doors or front doors. Meanwhile, the threshold is a sloped cap that protects the sill and also helps keep water outside.

5. The Glazing, Sidelights, & Transom

We’ve grouped these three together because they have one thing in common: glass.

Glazing refers to any glass component on the door panel or slab itself. Sidelights are tall, vertical fixed glass windows on one or both sides of the door that are typically the same height as the door itself. Lastly, the narrow window located on the top portion of some doors is called the transom.

6. The Casing

The casing is used to cover the gap between the door frame and the wall. Casings can be found on the interior as well as the exterior side of a front door. Interior doors can have casings as well.

7. The Borehole & The Mortises

The borehole is drilled into the door panel where the lockset will be installed. Meanwhile, the mortises refer to the hollow gaps made on the door to enable the hinges to fit securely. A mortise is usually also required on the door frame for the lock to work.

8. Strike Plates

This is the metal plate that is attached to the opening side jamb of the door frame. The strike plate helps in strengthening a door’s locking mechanism and is a standard inclusion in many locksets.

The Similarities Between Pre-Hung Doors and Slab Doors

First, let’s establish the similarities between pre-hung doors and slab doors. These include:

• Materials used to make the door panel (wood, vinyl, fibreglass);
• Door styles and glazing options;
• The option for customization; and
• Energy-efficient door options.

The Differences Between Pre-Hung and Slab Doors

What’s Included Upon Purchase

This is the main element that sets pre-hung doors and slab doors apart.

A pre-hung door is one that comes as a near-complete package. It’s a self-contained unit designed to fit all together and will include the door frame, hinges, and mortises pre-cut (for the lock). It also includes the door slab itself, with a pre-cut borehole for the doorknob.

Comparatively, a slab door is exactly what the name suggests – a ‘slab’ of wood (or other materials) acting as the door, typically with the borehole cut in for the doorknob. Slab doors do not come with a frame, mortise, or anything else.

For both types of doors, additional hardware such as locksets, strike plates, and anything not mentioned above are typically not included. While slab doors may seem relatively lacking, there are pros and cons to both door types – which we will explore later on.

The Door Installation/Replacement Process

There are two ways to install pre-hung doors and the method you would need to use depends on the type of pre-hung door bought. The first method is through full-frame installation which is needed for regular pre-hung doors. In this method, the frame is intact and is installed into the opening after needed preparation on the siding is done.

The second method is through split-frame installation wherein a split-frame pre-hung door (which has a door frame that is split cross-sectionally in the middle) is installed one-half of the frame at a time. In both of these installation methods, the door casing or door trim would need to first be removed. This can be done carefully with a pry bar; and by keeping the door trims intact, it is possible to reuse them once the new pre-hung door is installed.

Meanwhile, slab doors can also be installed in two ways. The first method of installation is called retrofit installation. This method is most often used for slab door replacements. Here, a slab door of the right size is purchased and is installed to simply replace the old door. The existing door frame along with its casings or mouldings are kept as is. With a custom-sized slab door, this can be the easiest method of door replacement yet.

For new properties, however, installing a slab door would mean that the door frame, along with its casings, needs to be constructed around the slab door. The same goes for instances when an existing door frame does not fit the new door slab at all. This latter method of installation would require a high level of skill and is not recommended at all as a DIY project.

Pros and Cons Between Pre-Hung vs. Slab Doors

Pre-Hung Doors Pros and Cons

Pro #1: They Come as a Near-Complete Package

Pre-hung doors come packaged along with the majority of the pieces you will need for installation. On top of the convenience this brings, this also ensures all pieces fit perfectly together.

Your hinges are already attached, frames are built to the exact specifications, and there’s no need for you to measure and cut a mortise for your door lock. This also means that most high-quality pre-hung doors are, as a unit, weather-tight. All that’s needed is proper installation to match.

Pro #2: Pre-Hung Doors Are Relatively Easier for DIY

For those who aren’t as DIY-savvy, pre-hung doors make installation much easier by avoiding any extra measurements or custom construction of the door frame.

Con #1: They Are Heavier and More Expensive

Given all their extra inclusions, pre-hung doors are much heavier and may be harder to maneuver, especially for the lone DIY-er. This extra bulk can make it difficult to transport the door to your home, before you even have a chance to set it up.

These doors also tend to be more expensive, as they include more pieces and are sold as a total set.

Con #2: The Fit for Pre-Hung Doors is Exacting

As the fit for pre-hung doors is so exacting, you may have trouble getting a pre-hung door to fit into the existing door opening in your home. Once managed, you will still have to add the trim, paint, and stain as needed.

Slab Doors Pros and Cons

Pro #1: Easier to Find Custom-Sized Doors

One of the main benefits of choosing slab doors is that they are far more customizable. This doesn’t mean that pre-hung doors cannot be customized – this option is just not as commonly available.

With slab doors, there are many varieties in size, shape, hinge placement, and much more. Additionally, antique doors are typically sold as slab doors and are a great way to add some uniqueness and vintage to your home. In short, the world is your oyster with a slab door!

Pro #2: Generally Lighter and Less Expensive

Slab doors are lighter because they do not include a door frame. This makes them easier to transport and maneuver.

They are also typically less expensive by themselves since they include just the door panel. Though other parts may still need to be purchased, you are in control of how much you will spend.

Pro #3: Great for Interior Doors

Slab doors are ideal for interior doorways because you won’t need to worry about a perfect installation and weather-proofing (unlike with exterior doors). This gives you a little wiggle room with your door installation.

Con #1: Potentially More Work Needed for Installation

While inexpensive, slab doors may end up costing you more in labour if you don’t know what you’re doing. When in doubt, contact your local Toronto contractor to help install your slab doors, as you will have to ensure that the opening, frames, mortises, and hinges all fit perfectly.

Con #2: You May Still Spend More for Other Materials

Since slab doors are sold without anything extra, you will also have to incur extra costs to buy the materials that would have come with a pre-hung door. However, you may be able to save depending on where you source your materials. It’s always best to compare and contrast your options before making a decision.

Which Door is Right for You?

Burano Doors is a trusted manufacturer and seller of chic and durable windows and doors that are designed to meet the needs of the modern home. We specialize in making exterior doors that will add to the security, energy-efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of your property.

Our team of experts can help you find the perfect fitting door, whether pre-hung or a custom slab, that will have you feeling safe and warm. We offer a wide selection of doors in all shapes, sizes, and colours, depending on your preference. Best of all, we will install the door for you, and remove the old one without you having to lift a finger. To top it all off, because we manufacture our own products, we can offer them to you for the best price.

If you want to learn more or have questions for us, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today for a FREE estimate!