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Most of the time, a squeaky door is the result of dry hinges, where metal parts rub together without enough lubrication. Dirt, dust, or rust can also build up inside the hinge and add to the friction. Loose screws or slight misalignment can shift things just enough to create that irritating squeaking noise. Worn-out hinges or swelling wood from humidity changes can also be part of the problem on older doors. A good cleaning and proper lubrication usually take care of it, but if the squeak sticks around, it’s worth checking for bigger issues with the hinges or alignment. 

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.

While doggie doors are convenient for pet owners, they do offer a few drawbacks. For instance, they’re small enough that unwanted critters could come into the house, such as raccoons, snakes, rats, and insects.

They’re also large enough that small children can escape through them, which can be a serious concern to parents of young children.

Finally, doggie doors can make it difficult to regulate your home’s temperature because they constantly let in hot or cold outside air.

A door swells up when there’s a lot of moisture in the air. Wood doors are porous, and the elements can cause them to expand with humidity and contract with dry air. Prevent swelling by coating the door in weather-resistant paint, which creates a barrier to seal out moisture. Otherwise, go with a water-repellent finish after the fact. On the plus side, this problem will go away once the weather changes.