Is it more practical to trim a prehung door to fit my irregular size back exterior door or leave the current frame and just buy a new door for my 100-year-old home?
Asked by Thea Li 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 13, 2024
Hey, I’ve got this funky-sized back door that needs to be replaced. The actual dimensions I need are 32 x 76. Do you think it would be easier to trim down a prehung door to fit or should I just get a new door and keep the existing frame? The frame is a little wonky because we’ve been leveling this old house from 100 years ago. Thanks for any advice in advance!
When you buy the frame, spending a little extra will save you time and frustration during installation.
If you’re not too familiar with tools, it might be a good idea to consider hiring someone for this task. Doors can pose quite a challenge. But to address your query, prehung doors are the way to go
For prehung doors, it’s best to open up the wall and fix the opening
A bit unconventional, mobile home doors can be
What’s the issue with this particular door?
You have the option to purchase a prehung fiberglass door in a custom size
It’s pretty simple to install a standard door
The floor definitely needs to be leveled up.
I think prehung would be the way to go.
Let’s start fresh with a new frame. The current situation is a bit of a mess.
Oh, it appears that the top of the door is not perfectly square. Finding a good fit might be a challenge. It seems the door has been modified.
Seems like the floor is uneven. Could it be an issue with the foundation?
We purchased a door that was custom-sized and also updated the frame.
Get a prehung door, shim it out, use foam and trim – very straightforward, just don’t overthink it
Prehung
Pre hung, that thing is a disaster
If the floor is flat (hard to tell if pieces have shifted or if it’s off by 2 inches), not too difficult but you’ll need tools and watch some tutorials, also wondering what to do about the door…
If it’s not flat, better hire someone before it becomes too overwhelming
Prehung
Pre hung, that thing is a disaster
If the floor is flat (hard to tell if pieces have shifted or if it’s off by 2 inches), not too difficult but you’ll need tools and watch some tutorials, also wondering what to do about the door…
If it’s not flat, better hire someone before it becomes too overwhelming
This door is of good quality.
Any lumber yard has the ability to order doors in any size
Get a pre hung door and figure out how to make it work. Finding a door of the exact same size to drop in is nearly impossible. But hey, you might get lucky and find one that fits. Personally, I struggled with this too – the dimensions listed for doors don’t always match up perfectly with the actual size. And don’t forget about the jamb! Matching the hinge/knob/deadbolt placements on the jamb to a replacement door can be a challenge. Best of luck! 🤦🏼♂️
I hate to be a downer, but I know the struggle firsthand.
I recently encountered the same issue. I purchased a prehung door, opened the frame, and constructed a new one to ensure a proper fit. It’s not too difficult to do.
If you’re dealing with a messy frame, consider getting a prehung door. You may be able to find a 32×78 size that doesn’t require custom cutting. You might even gain a few extra inches at the top.
Prehung doors come with long jams that can be cut to accommodate an uneven floor.
A mobile home door should work
Remove it and install a new door and doorframe
We had to trim 4 inches off the bottom of this metal door to get it to fit. You’ll need to reattach the bottom piece later, unless you have some solid wood on hand.
I faced a similar issue with a back door. There was a step outside that the old wooden door closed into, which was pretty silly. When I first moved in, I would get water seeping in. I extended the step into the house, purchased a pre-hung door, and trimmed the bottom. I inserted a glued piece of wood into the opening, then attached the bottom of the door to the wood with screws. I added an aftermarket door sweep, and it’s been working well for 19 years. The only thing that’s a bit strange is that the door handle is a bit low on the outside of the door.
You should definitely check out a local Habitat Restore (a home improvement goodwill), especially if you’re in a metro city area. People donate both new and old doors and windows. It’s like a DIY candy store 😜
I would definitely consider reframing the door
It seems like they removed that door. You should check out ReStore for a replacement. Look for something bigger, use the old door as a template for the new one, replicate it, and then use a hand plane for a precise fit.
I was initially thinking about recommending that you remove everything and reframe it for a standard 36” x 80” door, but then I saw the low ceiling line. You can actually get a door in just about any size you want. I would suggest ordering a 32”x76” door that is prehung and pre-drilled for a knob and deadbolt. It might be a little more expensive, but you’ll end up with a higher quality door.
Make sure to open it this way so that it seals properly, as long as it’s done correctly.
Invest in prehung doors and be careful with the door frames in old houses, you never know what you might find
Purchase a prehung door that is 6 feet and 6 inches tall and adjust the header slightly
Get a fresh prehung door, the frame is no good anymore
Personally, I’d suggest keeping the existing opening and just swapping out the door.
Look for a door shop nearby. Bring your door slab to them and ask them to provide a new door slab that is ‘beveled, bored & routed’ to match the old one. Then installing your new door will be a breeze.
The shape of the frame is not quite right. It should be square for a proper finish. You’ll need to square it up first before ordering a door that will fit correctly. Did the place you ordered from send someone to take measurements?
Since it’s an exterior door, I wouldn’t recommend trimming it to size as it might need to be more sturdy (solid wood/steel). Opting for a prehung door and proper installation could be a better choice.
2.6 6.8 prehung door.
If it were me, I would adjust the opening and fix it properly. Specifically, I would raise the top. Why settle for less?
It seems like that jamb is pretty worn out and you might need to remove it to adjust it to make it square. It might be best to measure the rough opening width, height, and jamb thickness and order a custom prehung door. Many exterior doors are not solid but rather a frame filled with insulation and covered with steel, fiberglass, or a wood veneer. Cutting off too much might cause most exterior doors to fall apart.