Interior Doors: Prehung vs Slab – What’s the Better Choice for Your Home?
🚪 Thinking About Replacing Your Interior Doors?
Interior doors seem simple — until you actually go to replace one.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming all doors install the same way.
They don’t.
The real decision comes down to this:
Prehung door or slab door?
🔹 What Is a Slab Door?
A slab door is just the door itself — no frame, no hinges, no prep.
Sounds simple… but here’s where things get tricky.
To install a slab door properly, someone needs to:
• Machine the hinges exactly
• Drill handle and latch holes perfectly
• Align everything with the existing frame
And here’s the big issue:
👉 Most existing door frames are NOT perfectly square anymore
Over time, houses shift. Jambs move. Floors settle.
So now you’re trying to fit a perfectly square door into an opening that isn’t.
That can lead to:
• Doors not closing properly
• Uneven gaps
• Rubbing or sticking
• Having to plane the door
• Adjusting or increasing the bevel
At that point, what seemed like a “simple swap” turns into a lot of labor.
🔹 When Does a Slab Door Actually Make Sense?
We only recommend slab doors in very specific situations:
• You’re replacing just one damaged door
• Your existing jamb is straight and in good condition
• Your casing and trim are staying
• You have someone experienced doing the install
Even then — it can still take time to get it perfect.
🔹 What Is a Prehung Door?
A prehung door comes already mounted in a new frame, with hinges installed and properly aligned.
This is where things become much easier — and more reliable.
With a prehung door:
• The hinges are already set correctly
• The strike plate lines up properly
• The door swings the way it should
• Everything is square and built as a system
👉 You’re not trying to force a new door into an old, imperfect opening.
You’re replacing the entire unit — and starting fresh.
🔧 Why We Recommend Prehung Doors (Most of the Time)
After 20+ years in the trim and door business, here’s the honest truth:
• Prehung doors eliminate alignment issues
• They ensure proper operation from day one
• They save time during installation
• They avoid costly adjustments and callbacks
In many cases, trying to make slab doors work in an old frame ends up costing more in labor than just replacing everything properly.
🏠 Real-World Advice
If you’re doing more than one door in your home:
👉 Go prehung
You’ll get:
• Better operation
• Cleaner installation
• A more consistent look throughout the house
Slab doors are really only worth it when you’re trying to match one existing opening and everything else is staying.
🛠️ Our Doors at CrownCornice
At CrownCornice, we supply:
• Solid core doors (heavier, quieter, more premium feel)
• Hollow core doors (lightweight and cost-effective)
• Prehung and slab options
• Primed, ready for paint finishes
• Modern shaker and traditional styles
We also provide installation across Mississauga and the GTA, so everything is done right the first time.
📍 Serving Mississauga & the GTA
We supply and install interior doors across:
Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Oakville, Vaughan and surrounding areas.
✅ Final Thoughts
If you want doors that:
• Close properly
• Look clean
• Operate smoothly
👉 Prehung is the way to go
Slab doors have their place — but only in the right situation.
🔥 Need Help?
Shop online at www.crowncornice.com
or reach out before you order — we’ll help you choose the right option for your space.