Interior Doors - PreHung Replacements?

15 years ago

Greetings,

We're looking at replacing the 27 hollow core interior doors in our house with solid core doors, where about half of these doors are 96" and the others being standard size doors.

We've gotten some bids on things and they vary. I don't really know a lot of the pros/cons, so I ask the following questions:

- Some indicate that they would replace the doors and use the existing jambs. Is this doable? Would the weight be OK for the existing jambs? Wouldn't it be hard to fit properly all the hardware/out of square that may exist?

- Should we insist on pre-hung inserts to be used? How much difference in work is this?

- What is the difference between the panel doors and MDF? The manufacturers are completely confusing on all of this.

Also, how might I find additional bidders to do the work? I'm in Houston.

Many thanks in advance

Michael

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

worthy
15 years ago
Without knowing the age and condition of your home, it's hard to give a definitive answer. Hollow core doors date to the late 1950s. ( But I've seen 19th Century homes "improved" with hollow core doors.) I'm presuming there has been minimal settlement.)

Some indicate that they would replace the doors and use the existing jambs. Is this doable? Would the weight be OK for the existing jambs?

Panel Solid Core Door. Handle and
rosette:Emtek sandcast bronze with
"living" finish.

Yes and yes. But there will likely be repairs to the jambs, as solid core doors require three-four hinges per door and the screw holes will likely not match the existing ones.

pre-hung inserts....?

All the pre-hungs I've seen use low quality hinges (usually the radiused ones) and are designed for installation by unskilled labour and high production. I would avoid them, even if they are available. If you use pre-hungs, there will be a lot of repairs necessary--casing, drywall and painting on both sides.

A panel door can be solid-core or hollow.

The key to this job is a skilled finish carpenter who will be able to adjust minor irregularities as a result of settling and the like. I would insist on seeing examples of his work. This is a major investment in materials that should not be left to a "handyman."
don92
15 years ago
I have done this many times. A good Carpenter can install a new door into an existing opening. He will scribe the new door to fit the irregularities of the opening. The jamb itself is not an issue. As for hinges, you would want 31/2 or 4" hinges and 3 of them. If the existing jamb has 2 hinges it is as simple as just adding a third at center. Always use existing mortise and enlarge and add. The carpenter should examine how the old door is fitting and compensate for the new one.
Related Professionals
Indianapolis Home Remodeling · Terre Haute Home Remodeling · Elkton Home Remodeling · Fayetteville Home Remodeling · Grand Rapids Home Remodeling · Lima Home Remodeling · Juneau Home Remodeling · Bowling Green Kitchen Remodelers · Vineland Kitchen Remodelers · Tyler Kitchen Remodelers · Petersburg Kitchen Remodelers · Lewiston Kitchen Remodelers · Orangeburg Bathroom Remodelers · Logan Bathroom Remodelers · York Bathroom Remodelers
jaansu
15 years ago
Even poor carpenters, such as myself, can do a high quality job on this if they are willing to spend about 10X the time of a pro to adjust the door to the existing opening, carefully sand it smooth and paint properly. I took out all the hollow core doors of my 1960 era house and replaced with solid core slabs from HD. I did have to examine the doors carefully to reject the imperfect ones. And then put on new Baldwin hardware. It's amazing what a difference it makes to your appreciation of a home to feel a solid door that closes with the sound of substance!