Most exterior doors available online, or through hardware or building supply stores, will be sold with the frames. These are known as pre-hung doors, and they are sold this way for very important reasons.
In some cases, you may be able to buy exterior slab doors, which are doors sold without the frame. These typically come without the hardware or even holes for the door handle and locking mechanism, or the slight indentations used to place the hinges. This allows the installer to set the location of these hardware items to match the corresponding location on the existing frame.
With the slab option, there are several potential issues over pre-hung doors. The biggest issue is that any mistake in drilling or notching out for the hinges or hardware will mess up the door. With pre-hung models this is not a concern. All the installer has to do is slide the frame into the existing rough opening and then attach the door where it has been designed to sit flush, level and correct within the frame.
Correct Fit
With pre-hung doors from the manufacturer, the door and the frame are constructed with each other, so there is never any concern about gaps, leveling the door within the frame, or making any type of adjustments.
The only concern will be to ensure that the frame itself is mounted and secured in the rough opening so it is leveled and even on the top and sides.
Secure Storage and Shipping
With exterior pre-hung doors, make sure to choose a company that ships the door set into the frame. This prevents the door from being placed on an uneven surface or with weight on one part that may increase the risk of warping or twisting the door.
The top companies offering wood pre-hung doors always pack the doors carefully to keep the door, and the frame, perfectly square and protected; allowing it to be safely transported no matter how long the trip.
Transoms and Sidelites
When your new entrance will include a transom or sidelites, or perhaps both, choosing pre-hung doors is always highly recommended.
If they aren’t constructed at the manufacturer and shipped as a single unit, is more likely that installation will require considerable adjustments to keep corners straight and lines running true throughout the design elements.
For exterior doors, only consider pre-hung doors when quality matters. Make sure to ask the company how they ship and how they package the doors for optimal safety and security during transportation and delivery.
At Nick’s Building Supply, we only sell exterior pre-hung doors that are carefully packaged, loaded and shipped. With over 15 years in selling quality wood doors online, we offer the best in selection, packing, and shipping. Just visit us at website to learn more.
