I'm planning to replace all the old hollow core doors in my bedrooms from the 70s with some modern solid core doors. I don't want anything fancy—just basic MDF or composite will do. Besides picking out the doors and ensuring the hinges line up, what else should I keep in mind? Will I need to reframe the doors as well?
5 Answers
It can be tricky if your house framing is uneven, but using pre-hung doors can still work. Your door opening is usually larger than the pre-hung door, so you can shim it to level and adjust as needed. It might just need a little more effort, but trying it out on one door first could give you a good idea of what to expect!
Definitely get jigs for hinges and locks. Also, don’t forget to check the bevel on the doors so they close properly against the jamb.
You're probably looking at getting entire doors with frames. You can get slabs, but they can cause issues like misaligned hinge holes. I tried slabs once, and they were way wider than expected, so pre-hung is usually the way to go!
Same here! Went for slabs and had to return them—too many sizing issues!
I’d recommend going for pre-hung doors. Just take off the trim, remove the old door and frame, and hang the new one with the frame included. That saves a lot of hassle!
Replacing doors isn't too tough, but it depends on your skills and tools. I've used a belt sander to adjust doors that were sticking, and a hammer and chisel for hinges. Make sure to use longer screws for the hinges, but watch out for wiring in the walls! Just a heads up, I've trimmed doors down to fit, and sometimes you need to reframe. It can get involved with routing knobs and hinges, so gear up with the right tools like a circular saw or belt sander.
Totally agree! With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can tackle a lot. It's all about being prepared.
Absolutely! Starting with one door is a smart move. It gives you a feel for the process without committing to all of them at once.