Pre-installed interior doors are very easy and quick to install. If you are remodeling or building a new home, using these doors will save you time and money. Most of these types of swing doors, French doors, and double doors. Installing pre-installed doors is easy even for a beginner.

Types of doors

Hollow core pre-installed doors are the most common type of door on the market. They are lightweight and can have a very stylish appearance. One drawback of the hollow core type is that they are not soundproof. Noise will easily filter through a hollow core. These hollow cores come in many types of veneer and can be stained to match existing joinery or painted.

Solid core pre-installed doors are more than a hollow core, but less than a solid door. Solid core doors generally have a sheet metal exterior as well. They are a bit more time consuming to install and are much heavier. They are also more soundproof than the hollow core.

Solid doors are also heavy and even more expensive. They come in all varieties of wood and can be stained, varnished, or painted.

Some pre-installed doors are cut out. This saves time, energy and money. If the door you choose does not come pre-cut, you may want

buy a housing and trim it before installing. This makes installation quicker and easier.

Decisions to make

Before buying a pre-hung door, you will need to make a few decisions. You will have to choose in which direction the door will open. Most people make this decision based on the location of the light switch. When the swing is opposite the light switch, it will be difficult to turn on the lights. Other choices to be made include the size of the entryway, whether flooring or rugs will be added, and what style would best suit the room.

Size

Determining the size you’ll need for the doorway is easy once you understand how to measure. A basic framed doorway is generally two inches wider than the door should be. Many newer houses are standard sizes. Framed bedroom doors tend to be two feet six inches wide, which means the door should be 30 inches. Bathroom doors are typically two feet four inches, making the door itself 28 inches. Handicap doors are always three feet long to allow easy wheelchair access. Older homes may have larger or smaller driveways, so measure your driveway before making a decision.

The basics of hanging a door

A pre-hung interior door comes complete with hardware. Carefully unpack the door and inspect it carefully. Doors must be closed when hanging up. Place the pre-hung door in the opening. Starting on the side of the swing, first check that it is level. If it is not level, you can use shims to level it.

If you plan to add a carpet later, you will need to lay the door in small blocks. The half-inch blocks will provide enough space for the mat and allow it to swing freely.

Stand inside the room and carefully place the pre-hung door in the opening. Make sure the housing is snug against the drywall. Nail the housing about two inches off the ground. This will hold the door while you verify that it is level. Shims can be used to support the door while lifting it slightly to achieve a perfect plumb line. Once the door is level, nail the casing near the hinges. Open the door and nail the top of the housing. You will use one or two nails per side until you have checked the door again to make sure it is level. Once you are sure you will drive nails near the hinges and at regular intervals.

Finishing your home yourself and installing pre-installed interior doors is one way to save money. The time required can translate into more capital for other projects or that special bedroom floor.