Get matched with top door pros in Pima, AZ

Start by checking the top or side edge of the door. Look for a certification label or metal tag stamped with details like the fire rating and information on the manufacturer. Even if it’s painted over, the tag should still be visible. Next, look along the edges for slim intumescent strips. They’re designed to swell up and seal gaps when exposed to heat. Finally, check if the door closes itself. Most fire doors have a self-closing mechanism, like an overhead closer or spring hinges. If none of these are obvious, contact a fire safety professional to help verify your door. 

Though you can remove your interior door and paint it on a flat surface, doing so can be more time-consuming and labor-intensive. The easiest way to paint an interior door is by simply leaving it on its hinges and then painting both sides of the door all at once. That way, you can avoid having to reinstall the door, you don’t have to find a project site to paint it, and you get a faster dry time.

The L marking on a door closer stands for latch speed and the S marking stands for swing speed. These two letters inform what part of the door closer you may be adjusting. The latch speed being the short final swing the door makes before closing and the swing speed being the long swing of the door when closing.

A slab door is a standalone door without a frame or hardware. A prehung door is a complete set that includes the door, frame, hinges, and sometimes the doorknob and lockset.

In most cases, a prehung door is the better and easier option to install, especially for DIY projects or exterior applications, as they often come pre-weatherproofed. They require fewer tools and less experience to install properly. Although prehung doors are heavier and have a higher upfront cost, the investment is often worthwhile for a complete upgrade that includes a new frame.

A slab door may be a better choice if you are on a tight budget, have a custom-sized wall opening, or only need to replace the door while keeping the existing frame. While the initial cost is lower, you will need to purchase all the hardware separately and do more DIY work to hang it, which may not result in significant time or money savings.