When you’re about to replace a door, it’s important to assess whether or not you’ll need a door or the entire frame to replace. Assessing the damage is the first step in responsibly hanging a door. Before you buy anything, make sure that you know exactly what you need. Here are some thoughts on how to assess problems with any door frame.

Checking for Damage

If there is a crack in the door itself, often referred to as “the slab,” it’s common to simply replace that part. These are especially true for bedroom doors made of particle board. For the front door, you’ll want to check the frame itself for damages. Look specifically for rotted wood, which will appear softer to the touch and often discolored. Warped wood also makes it difficult for the door to swing shut properly.

If the frame is warped, then you have a few options. The most obvious is sanding the door, and that works in most situations. You can also trim an edge to make the door fit. This may require removing the door from its hinges, and won’t fix whatever caused the wood to warp in the first place.

Replacements

There are two ways to buy a replacement. If you purchase a door that is pre-hung, you need to fit it into the frame. However, it’s important to determine if your door should be left or right-facing. To make this determination, stand in the doorway and face your front yard. If the lock was on your left or right, that is the direction you need.

Bio: ETO Doors is a door manufacturer and retailer based in Los Angeles, with showrooms in Las Vegas and New York. ETO Doors reviews from actual customers are available online at the ETO doors website.