Exterior Slab Doors

Slab or Prehung for Your Exterior Project?

Check Whether the Existing Frame Is Worth Keeping

A slab replacement begins with the jamb and sill. Have the installer inspect their condition, alignment and suitability for the new door. A panel made to the old door’s dimensions will not correct a damaged frame or an opening that no longer closes squarely.

Measure the actual panel and frame rather than relying on a nominal size. Width, height and thickness all matter, as do the clearances and the way the edges meet the stops. Confirm the dimensions with the person fitting the door before placing a custom order.

For a broader entry replacement that includes the frame, compare the configurations in front entry doors.

Record Hinge and Lock Details Precisely

A door can be the correct overall size and still require different preparation. Note the hinge size and locations, the handing, the latch and deadbolt positions, and the relevant edge details. Use the preparation required by the selected hardware and frame.

Check what Rustica will supply on the configured model and what the installer must complete. For example, the Altitude slab listing states that hinges, hardware and preparation are excluded unless specified. Other products may include different options, so use the actual order summary rather than assuming one package applies to every slab.

Choose the Panel Design and Exterior Finish

A solid panel emphasizes grain and surface detail. Glazed models introduce another decision: how much view and light should come through the door. Compare the placement of the glass with the height and use of the entry rather than selecting only from the exterior photograph.

Review the finish offered for the chosen exterior model and its care requirements. The Pump House listing, for example, identifies an exterior polyurethane finish and door sweep. Verify the components and exposure requirements for the exact design instead of extending that listing to the entire collection.

A room-to-room replacement belongs in interior slab doors, where the panel is specified for an indoor opening.

Coordinate the Bottom and Perimeter Seals

The slab, frame stops, weatherstripping, sweep and threshold form a working assembly. Confirm their relationship at the edges and floor before installation. Changing door thickness or the bottom detail can affect how an existing sealing arrangement fits.

Include finishing any required preparation, compatible hardware, delivery and installation in the project cost. Compare a slab order with a complete prehung option when both the frame and panel need replacement.