How much does door replacement cost?

Interior (per door, prehung + installation): hollow-core $150-$350, solid-core $220-$550, solid wood $300-$850. Exterior (prehung + installation): fiberglass $500-$2,500, steel $400-$1,500, solid wood $800-$4,000. Whole house (10-15 interior doors, professional): $2,000-$5,000. The biggest cost factors: material (solid wood is 3-5x the cost of hollow-core), style (panel doors cost more than flat), and whether it is prehung or slab (prehung costs more but installs easier). DIY interior prehung installation saves $100-$250 per door in labor.

What is the best material for a front door?

Fiberglass. It offers the best combination of durability, energy efficiency, security, aesthetics, and low maintenance. Modern fiberglass doors have realistic wood-grain textures that can be stained to look like real wood. They resist denting (unlike steel), warping (unlike wood), and rotting. Energy efficiency: fiberglass doors with foam insulation have excellent R-values (R-5 to R-7). For maximum beauty: solid wood (but expect higher maintenance). For maximum security on a budget: steel. For the best overall value: fiberglass.

Should I get a prehung or slab door?

Prehung for: new openings, damaged frames, exterior doors, and any situation where the existing frame is not in good condition. Prehung is easier to install correctly (the frame ensures proper alignment). Slab for: replacing an interior door when the existing frame is straight, level, and in good condition. Slab doors are cheaper (no frame cost) and lighter to handle. For exterior doors: always prehung (proper weathersealing requires a matched frame-and-door unit). For DIYers: prehung interior doors are actually easier to install than slab doors (no hinge mortising, no latch boring — it is all done).

How long does it take to replace a door?

Interior prehung door: 1-2 hours per door (DIY). A professional can do it in 30-60 minutes. Interior slab door: 2-3 hours (requires mortising hinges and boring holes). Exterior prehung door: 3-6 hours (DIY), 2-3 hours (professional). The exterior door is more complex because of weatherstripping, the threshold, the lockset, and ensuring a proper seal. For a whole-house interior door replacement (10-15 doors): a professional team can finish in 1-2 days. A DIYer should plan a full weekend.

Article

Siding & Exterior

Door Replacement Guide: Types, Materials & Cost

Lumberama Editorial Team, Door & Window Replacement Specialists Jul 7, 2026 12 min read

Interior Doors

Hollow-core: The most common and affordable interior door. Lightweight (uses a honeycomb cardboard core). Low cost: $30-$80 per door. Drawback: minimal sound blocking, feels cheap when knocked. Best for: closets, pantries, and budget renovations.

Solid-core: A composite core (particle board or MDF) that is dense and heavy. Good sound dampening. Feels substantial. Cost: $80-$200 per door. Best for: bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices where sound privacy matters. The sweet spot for most homeowners.

Solid wood: Made from actual lumber (pine, poplar, oak, mahogany). The premium option. Beautiful when stained. Excellent sound blocking. Can warp in humid conditions. Cost: $150-$500+ per door. Best for: high-end homes and visible areas.

Interior door styles: Panel doors (most common — raised or flat panels in a frame, available in 2-panel, 4-panel, 5-panel, 6-panel configurations). Shaker (flat panels, clean lines — the most popular modern style). French doors (glass panels, used between rooms for light). Barn doors (sliding on an exposed track — trendy, saves swing space). Pocket doors (slide into the wall — save floor space in tight areas).

Exterior Doors

Fiberglass: The best overall value for exterior doors. Durable, energy-efficient, low maintenance. Available in realistic wood-grain textures that can be stained. Resists denting, rotting, and warping. Cost: $200-$1,500 (door only). Best for: front doors, back doors, and any exterior application.

Steel: The most secure and affordable exterior door. Very energy-efficient (insulated foam core). Durable. Can dent (not ideal in high-traffic areas). Cost: $150-$
8
0
Best for: garage entry doors, side doors, and security-focused applications.

Solid wood: The most beautiful exterior door material. Each door is unique. Requires regular maintenance (staining or painting every 2-3 years to prevent weather damage). Expensive. Can warp, swell, and crack without proper maintenance. Cost: $500-$3,000+. Best for: high-end front entries where appearance is the top priority.

Prehung vs Slab

Prehung: The door comes pre-mounted in a frame with hinges installed. Easier to install (the frame ensures proper alignment). Best for: new openings, replacing damaged frames, and exterior doors. Includes: door, frame, hinges, and often weatherstripping (exterior). Cost: add $50-$150 to the door price.

Slab: Just the door (no frame or hinges). Lighter and cheaper. Requires reusing the existing frame and mortising hinges. Best for: replacing an interior door in an existing frame that is in good condition. Requires more skill to install (cutting hinge mortises and drilling the knob/latch holes).

Installation

Interior prehung door: remove the old door and frame. Set the new prehung unit in the rough opening. Shim behind the hinges and latch strike plate to plumb and level the frame. Screw through the hinge-side jamb into the stud (through the shims). Check that the door opens, closes, and latches properly. Install casing (trim). A prehung interior door takes 1-2 hours to install. Exterior door: more complex (weatherproofing, threshold, lockset). Hire a professional for exterior door installation unless experienced.