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Slab vs Prehung Front Door: Which Do You Need?
A slab is the door alone, hung in your existing frame; a prehung door comes already hung in a new frame. Keep the frame only if it is sound, square and strong enough for the new door's weight.
St. Pete Custom Doors builds and installs hand-carved and custom wood doors in St. Petersburg, FL. Short answer: A slab is the door alone, hung in your existing frame; a prehung door comes already hung in a new frame. Keep the frame only if it is sound, square and strong enough for the new door's weight.
When the Existing Frame Can Stay
If the jamb is solid, square, free of rot at the bottom and wide enough for heavier hinges, a slab can be fitted to it. That keeps the trim and stucco around the door untouched.
When a New Frame Makes More Sense
- Rot in the jamb or sill, which is common at the bottom of Florida door frames.
- A heavier door: solid carved doors need hinges and screws set into framing that can carry them.
- A change of size, swing, sidelights or transom.
- An exterior opening that must meet Florida product approval as a complete unit.
FAQ
More on Slab and Prehung Doors
Can you fit a new door to an old arched frame?
Yes; arched slabs are scribed to the real curve of the existing arch, which is rarely a perfect radius.
Do you install doors you didn't build?
Yes, including heavy doors bought online or from other makers.
Ask Us About Slab and Prehung Doors
Based in St. Petersburg · serving St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, South Tampa & Apollo Beach