So I want to install a new door in the walkway that leads from my kitchen to my basement steps. There is no door there currently, but there is a door frame. The door frame doesn’t have any hardware like a jamb or anything like that, just a plain flat moulding door frame. Should I be using a pre-hung door or do I not need that because there is a frame already there. I’m so confused any help on this.
7 Responses to “What type of door should I install. Pre-hung or not.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You may be able to find a door to fit your frame used. You do not need pre-hung door if you have frame.
Couple of things to consider.
Prehung door could be easier since there might not be too much to tear down if you must to get the rough opening required. .height & width
Check doorswing.
Not proper to have a door swing into a stairwell unless there is a landing at the head of the stairs.
Not all that safe.
Could always have a door that swings into the kitchen if there is room.
Or , place the door in the passage so that the door swings open before you get to the stairs ( might be best) if there is room.
Sounds like you are OK going w/ pre-hung.
Best regards
measure the width and legth and height of the door opening and go to either lowes or home depot give them information they might have that for pre-hung
pre-hung is much easier than other because you dont have to do all the framework by your hand. you want the easier way.
Get a pre-hung door. You can remove the existing door jambs if needed to fit the new door into the opening. You will be much happier with the end result and the price difference between a door slab and a pre-hung is not enough to make the hassle worth it.
One of the biggest problems unless you are a skilled carpenter, is placing the hinges on the door frame and door in the correct places.
With a prehung door, that is already done.
If I were doing it, I would use a prehung door. I have found it is easier to take off and reinstall the door trim than it is to fit the hinges to the door.
I have done it both ways and the prehung door seems a lot easier to me.
prehung is always the easiest.
I can tell you what will fit without going anywhere
Pre-hung door is only way to go.
Here are standard rough openings you need for pre-hung interior doors.
3′ door and frame needs 38″ wide opening x 6′10″ height
2′8″ door (32″) needs 34″””
2′10″ door needs (special order) 36″”
Measure inside your existing opening if any of these doors will slip inside your existing opening and you don’t have any more than 2″ total space left at sides and top. You can simply remove any trim around this existing opening and install this prehung door right in that existing opening. You will need to measure wall thickness (jamb) do not include trim . Decide which way door will swing.
To do this pretend one of your arms is the door- Put your back against the side of the existing frame (stand inside opening with you left arm toward one room and your right arm toward the other - your back against the inside flat part of frame.
Now swing your left are from middle out toward room- would this be the way you would want the door to swing . If so it is called a left hand. If it is better suited for the door to be your right arm and swing out this is called a right hand door.
Now switch your back to the other side of the opening and do the same thing. This might be a better way for door to open.
Left arm seem better - it’s called a left hand door - right arm better - it’s a right hand door.
Anyway you have prehung door ready to go. Center it in the opening. See how much room you have left to shim between old frame and new one. Cut blocks spacers to fill in ,use door shims for last 1/2″ of play. Follow directions to hang door.
Install new wider trim on both sides. This will cover up old trim line from existing opening.
If old frame is wider than pre-hung door. Shove new door flush with side that door opens on. Go ahead and hang door. Now go to side that needs built out and either build frame out to wall thickness, or but trim down to fit up against old frame.
caulk all joints, fill nails, prime,paint.
Lots of info, but I hate to be vague when giving advise.
Hope this helps