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Discussion Forum

pre hung-vs site hung doors

deer | Posted in General Discussion on June 27, 2005 05:22am

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone out there could tell me if there should be a discernable difference between a pre-hung door and a site hung door in terms of apperance?

This is in a residential applicantion with a paint grade solid core door in existing openings, with new hardware.

Dee

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  1. calvin | Jun 27, 2005 05:53am | #1

    In a site hung, your stops will probably look and fit better.

    The hinge mortices should be uniform in depth.

    The margins along the head and latch side will probably be a bit closer.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

  2. quicksilver | Jun 27, 2005 05:59am | #2

    I'm not sure what you are getting at can you explain further? Are you replacing doors in existing jambs?



    Edited 6/26/2005 11:00 pm ET by quicksilver

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | Jun 27, 2005 08:46am | #3

    so what's the problem?

     

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  4. User avater
    CapnMac | Jun 27, 2005 06:04pm | #4

    Greetings and welcome to BT.

    The short answer, as you may have seen in the other posts, is that the differences are most visible to experienced trim carpenters. 

    Many ordinary/average/typical folk will no discern any real difference between pre-hung and sit-hung doors.

    Mostly, that has to do with the amount of time "most" folk have spent in buildings with ordinary/averag/typical doors, too. 

    It can be difficult to notice/appreciate a well-hung door, one that fits right the whole year long, does not bind, and looks good with good even margins all around, etc.  The wheel that does not squeak, like the dog that does not bark, seldom gets much attention as those that do.

    I'm going to guess that you are pricing doors and you are trying to ballance the price/time differences between the two.

    I'd not spend money to site-hang the cheapest panel door--mostly as the 'best' price on bottom-end is on pre-hung units (typically).  That's a personal preference though.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. FastEddie1 | Jun 27, 2005 06:14pm | #5

      You're right, but here he is talking about existing openings, which makes me think they are hanging new doors on existying frames.  Then you have to weight the cost of replacing the frame and trim, and touching up dings in the wall when the new trim doesn't cover the old caulk line, etc.  Might be better to site hang.

      Sometimes you get better doors if site hung, cuz many of the pre-hungs are really cheap doors, nothing but mdf (or worse) stiles and rails.

       I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Jun 27, 2005 10:24pm | #6

        many of the pre-hungs are really cheap doors

        Yeah, that was "where" I was going.  If trim man "A" will site hang cheapo HC's for $x and trim man "B" would use better doors, but pre-hung for $Y--then it gets down to details.  Like are the existing jambs & trim & casing worth anything. 

        If it's decent doors site hung for $X versus cheapo pre-hung for $X--then's it's no contest, go site hung.

        I have an advantage of knowing better, too.  So, I'm a tad keen for abit more detail on the project.  Anybody quoting a price for prehung in my house, for example, is wasting my time and theirs (and probably needs a good eye exam <g>).  (Which has to do with needing both 5 3/8" and 5 7/8" jambs for my 1953 house.)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. User avater
          JeffBuck | Jun 28, 2005 07:00am | #7

          I'd still like to hear the question/problem ...

          can't help what ain't asked.

           

          Jeff    Buck Construction

           Artistry In Carpentry

               Pittsburgh Pa

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Jun 28, 2005 10:22pm | #8

            I'd still like to hear the question/problem

            Too true. 

            I'm thinking it's a first-time poster blues, too.  That first post goes through the long vetting process, so it seems like nobody wants to help.

            They're still new, so their BT addiction means they can go more than 24 hours without logging in <g> . . .

            I'm slightly worried that they went to the big box and PFK#1 said, here get these FP HC prehungs; but when they went to the other b.b., PFK #2 said "naw, y'oughta use these 'ere ders, they's bettah," and our intrepid FTP is now confused.  But that's an experienced WAG.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          2. DonK | Jun 28, 2005 11:10pm | #9

            Before I hurt myself thinking, what's a PFK?

          3. User avater
            CapnMac | Jun 29, 2005 01:00am | #10

            what's a PFK

            Pimply Faced Kid, i.e., the upstart whippersnapper what orter be callin me "Sir" and Stand Up Straight When You Address Me you slovenly slackard, who does not know ABS from SYP but thinks either might be near the GFCI . . .

            Ya' know, the one with the "assistant manager" name tag . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

  5. mbdyer | Jun 30, 2005 04:14am | #11

    Speaking towards appearance, to my eye as a trim carpenter, prehungs tend to come with an inferior grade and cut of trim.  I've also noticed that this trim has been creeping to the smaller side.   Also the wood quality of the jambs can be less than desired.  In my company, we will hang a hundred or two of doors (fire rated and non) on jambsets that our millwork company prefabs (including hinge/strike mortises) in a building that are made from poplar.  The doors themselves are occasionally subbed out.

    So how many doors are you talking?  One or two, even a half dozen?  For the best paint appearance use poplar.  You can make the jambs and stops onsite and buy the casing (either head&leg or pediment&leg on plinth blocks) from the local millshop.   Will it look better than a big box prehung?  Definetly.   Will it match the existing?  Well...

  6. jrnbj | Jun 30, 2005 04:32am | #12

    Hanging doors now....all new framing, reusing some doors, so

    Bought nice clear pine jamb stock for the existing doors...ears still on the rabbits....morticed for square edge hinges, 2 per door (these are old birch slabs, but by weight seem to be somewhere between modern hollow cores with the cardboard spines and solid core)

    the HO ordered up the rest of the doors prehung, solid core...heavy beasts, 3 radiused hinges per jamb, and the jamb stock is veneered finger-jointed...an item I haven't used before but that now seems to be pretty standard...

    So, now I have mix & not-match jambs & hinges (not to mention that it's pretty unlikely he'll be able to get a good stain match to the existing doors)

    all in all, I like my site built jambs better....but then I try & save the old ball top hinges whenever I can, so you know where I'm coming from...

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