How much does it cost to replace interior doors?

A single interior door costs $30-$500+ depending on type: hollow core slabs are $30-$80, solid core slabs are $80-$250, solid wood is $150-$500+. Prehung doors (door + frame + hinges) cost $80-$350 for hollow to solid core. Professional installation adds $100-$200 per door for prehung, $75-$150 for slab. For a whole house (12 doors), DIY solid core prehung costs $1,800-$4,200 in materials. Professional installation of 12 solid core prehung doors runs $3,000-$6,600 total. Adding painting costs $50-$100 per door. Hollow core vs solid core doors — which is better?

Hollow core vs solid core doors — which is better?

Solid core doors are better for bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices because they significantly reduce sound transmission, feel substantial, and are more durable. They cost more ($80-$250 vs $30-$80 for hollow core) but the upgrade is one of the best bang-for-buck interior improvements. Hollow core doors are fine for closets, pantries, and utility rooms where sound blocking and durability don't matter. If you're replacing doors throughout your home, a good compromise is solid core for bedrooms and bathrooms, hollow core for closets and storage. Prehung or slab door — which should I buy?

Prehung or slab door — which should I buy?

Choose prehung if: your existing door frame is damaged, warped, or out of square; you're changing door size; or you want the easiest DIY installation (prehung is more forgiving). Choose slab if: your existing frame is in good condition, you're replacing a same-size door, and you're comfortable mortising hinges and drilling for hardware. Prehung costs $50-$100 more per door but includes the frame, hinges, and often a pre-drilled latch hole. Slab doors require more skill and tools but save money. For beginners doing a whole-house door replacement, prehung is recommended. What is the most popular interior door style?

What is the most popular interior door style?

The 2-panel Shaker style is the most popular interior door in current home design. It features flat recessed panels with simple square framing — clean, versatile lines that work with traditional, modern, farmhouse, and transitional decor. The 1-panel flat door is popular for contemporary and minimalist homes. The 6-panel colonial door remains common in traditional homes. For the best resale value, 2-panel Shaker in white paint finish is the safest choice. Solid core doors are strongly recommended over hollow core for bedrooms and bathrooms.

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Woodworking & Lumber

Interior Door Replacement Guide: Types, Cost, Sizing & Installation

Lumberama Editorial Team, Door & Hardware Installation Specialists Apr 13, 2026 9 min read

Types

Hollow core: Cardboard honeycomb interior with thin veneer skin. Lightest weight. Cheapest option. Minimal sound blocking. Standard in builder-grade homes. Best for: closets, pantries, budget replacements. Cost: $30-$80 (slab).

Solid core: Filled with composite wood fiber (MDF, particleboard, or similar). Much heavier than hollow core. Good sound dampening. Feels substantial (like solid wood). Best for: bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, anywhere noise reduction matters. Cost: $80-$250 (slab).

Solid wood: Made entirely of real wood (pine, oak, maple, mahogany). Heaviest option. Best sound blocking. Can be stained for natural wood look. Premium quality and feel. Can warp in high humidity (bathrooms). Cost: $150-$500+ (slab).

MDF (medium-density fiberboard): Smooth engineered wood. Paint-grade only (cannot be stained). Excellent smooth finish. Won't warp or crack like real wood. Cost: $60-$200 (slab).

Glass panel: Wood or MDF door with glass inserts. French doors: multiple glass panes. Privacy glass: frosted, textured, or reeded. Best for: letting light between rooms, pantry doors, office doors. Cost: $100-$400+ (slab).

Panel Styles

Flat panel (recessed): Flat center panels recessed from stiles and rails. Clean, contemporary look. Most common modern style. Available in 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6-panel configurations.

Raised panel: Center panels are raised above stiles and rails. Traditional, classic appearance. More ornate than flat panel. Common in colonial and traditional homes.

Shaker style: Flat panels with simple square stile and rail framing. Clean lines, minimal detail. Most popular style in current design. Works with traditional, modern, and transitional.

Panel configurations: 1-panel: single panel, modern and minimal. 2-panel: Shaker standard, most popular. 3-panel: craftsman style (equal or mixed-height panels). 5-panel: traditional, common in older homes. 6-panel: colonial classic.

Barn door: Slides on exterior track (doesn't swing). Space-saving (no door swing clearance needed). Statement piece. Many styles available. Not airtight (gap around edges). Cost: $150-$500 (door) plus $50-$200 (hardware track).

Prehung vs Slab

Prehung: Door comes already mounted in a frame with hinges. Includes frame (jambs), hinges, and sometimes hardware prep. Ready to install in rough opening. Best for: new openings, replacing damaged frames, changing door size. Slightly more expensive. Easier to get plumb and level. Cost: $80-$400 (hollow to solid core).

Slab: Door only (no frame, no hinges). Must fit into existing frame. Requires mortising hinges and drilling hardware holes. Best for: replacing a door in a good existing frame. Cheaper than prehung. Requires more skill and tools. Cost: $30-$300 (hollow to solid core).

When to use prehung: Frame is damaged, warped, or out of square. Changing door size or style. New construction. Easier for DIY (more forgiving).

When to use slab: Existing frame is in good condition. Same size door replacement. Tighter budget. Willing to mortise hinges and drill for hardware.

Sizing

Standard interior door sizes: Width: 24, 28, 30, 32, 36 inches (30 and 32 most common). Height: 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches) standard. Thickness: 1-3/8 inches (standard interior).

Rough opening (for prehung): Width: door width + 2 inches (for jamb and shims). Height: door height + 2-1/2 inches (for jamb, shims, and carpet clearance).

ADA requirements: Minimum 32-inch clear opening (requires 36-inch door). Applies to: accessible bathrooms, public spaces. Good practice for all primary doors (wheelchair and walker access).

How to measure for replacement: Measure existing door width and height (not the frame). For slab: buy same size as old door. For prehung: measure rough opening and buy prehung that fits. Check hinge location (left or right hand). Check swing direction (in-swing or out-swing).

Cost and Installation

Door cost (slab only): Hollow core flat panel: $30-$60. Hollow core panel: $40-$80. Solid core flat panel: $80-$150. Solid core panel (Shaker, raised): $100-$250. Solid wood: $150-$500+.

Door cost (prehung): Hollow core prehung: $80-$150. Solid core prehung: $150-$350. Solid wood prehung: $250-$600+.

Hardware: Passage knob (no lock): $10-$30. Privacy knob (bathroom/bedroom lock): $15-$40. Lever handle: $15-$50. Hinges (pair): $5-$15 (usually included with prehung).

Professional installation per door: Prehung: $100-$200 per door. Slab (in existing frame): $75-$150 per door. With painting: add $50-$100 per door.

Whole house (12 doors): DIY hollow core slab: $360-$720 (doors only). DIY solid core prehung: $1,800-$4,200 (doors only). Professional solid core prehung + install: $3,000-$6,600.

DIY slab installation: Transfer hinge locations from old door. Mortise hinge recesses with chisel or router. Drill for knob/lockset. Hang and adjust. Time: 1-2 hours per door (with practice).