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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.

Yes, if you’re replacing a door slab, it must be the exact size of your existing door. If your new door is too small, you’ll need to purchase a new door to fit or hire a handyperson to make your frame smaller. Or if it's too big, you’ll need to return it or shave it down to fit.

Spacing a door is tricky since you need to leave enough of a gap for the door to move freely and not get stuck when the slab and frame contract and expand in dry and humid conditions. The ideal gap between a doorframe and slab is 1/8 of an inch. If the gap is any larger, the door will feel drafty. But if the gap is any smaller, the slab can get stuck due to weather changes.

The typical time it takes to replace a patio door is between three and five hours. That time frame includes the removal of the old door and completing any necessary repairs before installing the door. However, the project could take up to a full day, depending on the door’s design and the surrounding wall structure.