A drafty, dented or rotting front door is one of the most visible problems on a house, and replacing it is a big curb-appeal win. The first decision is whether to replace just the door (slab) or the door and its frame together (prehung).
SLAB DOOR
A slab is just the door itself, no frame or hinges attached. The new slab is fitted to your existing frame: trimmed, hinge mortises cut, lockset bored.
Works when: the existing frame is square, solid and rot-free, and you're matching a standard size.
Pros: lower material cost, no disturbance to trim or siding.
Cons: more labor fitting, and the old weatherstripping and threshold stay unless replaced separately.
PREHUNG DOOR
A prehung unit is the door already hung in a new frame with hinges, threshold and weatherstripping.
Works when: the frame is rotted (common at the bottom of jambs), out of square, drafty, or you're upgrading to a different style or adding sidelites.
Pros: best weather seal, new threshold, square fit.
Cons: more involved install, interior and exterior trim removed and reinstalled or replaced.
SIGNS YOU NEED A PREHUNG
- Soft or rotted wood at the bottom of the jambs or brick mold
- Daylight around the closed door
- Door rubs or won't latch even after adjustment
- Worn or leaking threshold
- Water stains on the floor inside the door
TYPICAL COSTS
| Option | Typical DMV Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Exterior slab (steel or fiberglass) | $650 – $1,400 |
| Prehung steel entry door | $1,200 – $2,600 |
| Prehung fiberglass entry door | $1,600 – $3,800 |
| Prehung with sidelites | $3,000 – $7,500+ |
| Rotted subfloor/sill repair at threshold | add $250 – $900 |
Prices exclude painting and premium hardware. Factory-finished fiberglass doors can skip painting.
WHAT ELSE TO PLAN
- Swing direction and handing (left or right) of the new door
- Lockset and deadbolt bore spacing
- Storm door compatibility. See storm door costs.
- HOA color rules in many DMV townhouse communities
Rot at the bottom of door jambs is the most common reason we switch a slab job to prehung. We check it before quoting.
RELATED READING
STORM DOOR INSTALLATION COST (2026)
Full-view vs. retractable screen, materials, HOA rules, and whether one is worth adding.
PAINTING A STEEL OR FIBERGLASS FRONT DOOR
Prep, primer and paint by door type, plus the storm-door heat problem with dark colors.
CURB APPEAL UPGRADES THAT ACTUALLY PAY OFF
Front doors, paint, lighting, washing and walkways — what each costs and what it returns.
Planning a project? See our Door Installation service page for scope, process and recent work.
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