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Soft-close hinges are worth it if the benefits are a top priority. The biggest benefit of soft-close hinges is that they reduce stress on the cabinet frames, and extending the longevity of these pricey furnishings is a worthwhile investment. Plus, fixing noisy kitchen cabinets helps protect kids with careless fingers, reduces marks on the frames, and creates a quieter living space.

Most modern door knobs will all fit in standard, modern doors, so if you know your door was made in the last 50 years or so, you should be fine buying a standard replacement door knob. The only exception would be a thumb latch handleset for an exterior door, as this type of door knob may not fit your door without drilling a mounting hole for the bottom of the handle. Antique or custom doors might also have different sizes and knob mounting holes, so call in a professional if you don’t believe your door is a standard one.

Steel doors have a few primary disadvantages. They’re hard to customize since they can’t be cut to fit an opening; they’re cumbersome and thus difficult to install on your own; and they don’t have the same aesthetic appeal as wood doors. Finally, while they’re highly durable and secure, they are susceptible to dents, scratches, and rusting.

A prehung door is a door that comes ready to install, already mounted in its frame with hinges and stop molding included. Because everything is factory-aligned, installation is quicker, more precise, and convenient, as you don't need to drill or align the hinges yourself. This makes it a smart option if your current frame is damaged, uneven, or if you're working on a new build. Installation involves fitting the entire unit into the rough opening, shimming and leveling it, and then securing it. If you are replacing an existing prehung door, the process is even simpler, often just requiring you to swap the old unit for the new one and secure it with a few screws. Prehung doors typically cost only slightly more (around $20) than a door slab alone, making them an efficient choice.