Interior doors are one of those details that quietly affect how a home feels. Old, hollow-core doors that don't close properly, show gaps at the frame, or rattle when the HVAC runs are a consistent complaint in older DMV homes. Here's what it costs to replace them and what decisions are worth thinking through before you start.
PRICING BY DOOR TYPE
| Door Type | Material Cost | Install Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow core slab (existing frame) | $60 – $150 | $100 – $175 | $160 – $325 |
| Solid core slab (existing frame) | $120 – $350 | $125 – $200 | $245 – $550 |
| Prehung hollow core (new frame) | $100 – $200 | $200 – $350 | $300 – $550 |
| Prehung solid core (new frame) | $200 – $500 | $200 – $350 | $400 – $850 |
| Barn door (hardware + door) | $300 – $700 | $200 – $350 | $500 – $1,050 |
| French door pair | $400 – $1,200 | $300 – $500 | $700 – $1,700 |
SLAB VS. PREHUNG — WHICH TO CHOOSE
A slab door is the door panel alone — no frame, no hinges, no hardware. It hangs in the existing frame and works well when the existing jamb and casing are in good condition and the opening is square. Slab replacement is faster and cheaper.
A prehung door comes with the door already attached to a new frame. Use prehung when the existing frame is damaged, out of square, or when you're adding a door to a new opening. Prehung installation takes longer because the old frame needs to come out and the new one needs to be shimmed and plumbed correctly. In older DMV homes — especially rowhouses and colonials that have settled over decades — out-of-square frames are common. It's worth checking before ordering slab.
HOLLOW CORE VS. SOLID CORE
Hollow core doors are the builder-grade default — lightweight, inexpensive, and sufficient for closets and low-use rooms. They offer essentially no sound control and feel flimsy. Solid core doors are heavier, reduce sound transmission noticeably, and feel more substantial. For bedrooms, home offices, bathrooms, and any room where privacy matters, solid core is worth the $50–$150 premium per door.
If you're replacing all interior doors at once — a common project in homes being refreshed before sale — solid core throughout reads as a meaningful upgrade to buyers and costs less labor per door than replacing individually.
WHAT SLOWS JOBS DOWN IN THE DMV
Older homes often have non-standard door heights (6'6" instead of the current 6'8" standard) or widths that don't match today's stock sizes. If you're in a DC row house built before 1960 or a suburban colonial from the 1950s–70s, measure before ordering anything. Custom sizes are available but add to cost and lead time. We measure as part of every door quote so there are no surprises on installation day.
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