What Is a Prehung Door? Complete Guide (2025)

In the world of interior design and home improvement, prehung doors have become a top choice for homeowners, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts. Instead of dealing with separate door slabs, hinges, and frames, a prehung door comes as a ready-to-install unit, saving both time and effort.

At Zonle Doors, we aim to simplify the concept of prehung doors—covering what they are, their benefits, the differences from regular doors, and how to install them correctly.

What Is a Prehung Interior Door?

A prehung interior door is a complete door system that includes:

• The door panel (or leaf)

• Hinges

• The frame

All components are pre-assembled at the factory, meaning the door is ready to install right out of the package. This convenience makes prehung doors especially attractive for DIY homeowners and professional contractors alike.

What Is a Prehung Exterior Door?

While interior doors prioritize convenience and aesthetics, prehung exterior doors are designed for durability and energy efficiency. They typically come with additional features such as:

• Weatherstripping for insulation

• Stronger frames for security

• Pre-drilled holes for locks and deadbolts

This makes them an excellent choice for front doors, patio doors, and back entrances where performance and protection are essential.

Advantages of Prehung Doors

Here are the main benefits of choosing a prehung door over a traditional door slab:

Prehung Door vs. Regular Door: What's the Difference?

The difference between prehung and regular (slab) doors lies mainly in installation requirements:

• Prehung Door:

  • Comes with frame, hinges, and slab already assembled.

  • Can be installed as a full unit in one step.

  • Requires minimal additional hardware.

• Regular Door (Slab Door):

  • Sold as a single slab without hinges or frame.

  • Requires separate installation of the door frame, side jambs, hinges, locks, and hardware.

  • Installation takes longer and requires more expertise.

In short, prehung doors = speed + simplicity, while regular doors = flexibility + customization.

How to Install a Prehung Door (Step by Step)

Even though prehung doors are easier to install, following the correct steps ensures the best fit:

1. Gather Materials – level, shims, screws, screwdriver/drill, and foam insulation.

2. Prepare the Opening – remove any old door and check that the opening is square and level.

3. Position the Prehung Door – place it into the opening carefully, keeping it plumb and level.

4. Secure the Frame – use shims and screws to fix the door in place. Adjust gaps as necessary.

5. Check Operation – open and close the door to test smooth movement.

6. Final Adjustments – trim edges, apply foam insulation, and finish with casing if needed.

Conclusion

A prehung door is more than just a convenient product—it's a time-saving, energy-efficient, and aesthetically consistent solution for modern homes. Whether you’re upgrading interior rooms or securing your exterior entryways, prehung doors make installation faster and easier, without compromising quality.

At Zonle Doors, we provide a wide range of prehung interior and exterior doors, crafted for precision and style. Whether you're a DIYer or working with a contractor, prehung doors are a smart investment for any home.

FAQs (Quick Answers)

Q1: Are prehung doors more expensive than slab doors?
Yes, prehung doors usually cost more upfront, but you save on installation time and labor.

Q2: Can I replace a regular door with a prehung door?
Yes, but you’ll need to remove the existing frame before installing the new prehung unit.

Q3: Do prehung exterior doors come with locks?
They often come pre-drilled for locks and deadbolts, but hardware is usually sold separately.

Q4: Is a prehung door good for DIY installation?
Absolutely. Many homeowners prefer prehung doors because the installation is straightforward.