Best Interior Doors for DIYers
Interior doors set the style and quiet of a home. The big choices are slab versus prehung (with frame), hollow-core versus solid-core (for sound and feel), and the panel style. Solid-core doors feel and sound far better.
What to look for
- ·Prehung doors come in a frame ready to install (easier for new openings); slab doors replace an existing door in a good frame.
- ·Solid-core doors block sound and feel substantial; hollow-core are cheaper and lighter for closets and low-traffic rooms.
- ·Match the panel style and finish to your trim, and check the swing (left or right hand) and size before buying.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masonite Solid Core Molded Door | Editor's pick | $80 to $200 per door | Quiet, quality solid-core |
| JELD-WEN Solid Core Interior | Editor's pick | $80 to $200 per door | Durable solid-core selection |
| Simpson Wood Door | Editor's pick | $200 to $600+ per door | Premium real-wood doors |
| Masonite 6-Panel Prehung | Best value | $60 to $150 per door | Value prehung classic |
| JELD-WEN Hollow Core Prehung | Best value | $50 to $120 per door | Value prehung for most rooms |
| Steves & Sons Interior Door | Best value | $50 to $180 per door | Value style options |
| Hollow-Core Slab Door | Budget pick | $30 to $80 per door | Budget slab replacement |
| Kimberly Bay Solid Core | Budget pick | $60 to $130 per door | Budget solid-core slab |
| Store-Brand Interior Door | Budget pick | $25 to $70 per door | Lowest-cost doors |
Editor's pick
Masonite Solid Core Molded Door
$80 to $200 per door
A solid-core molded door from the biggest US door maker, with molded panels over a solid core for substance and sound dampening. The pick for quiet, quality interior doors.
Best for: Quiet, quality solid-core
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
JELD-WEN Solid Core Interior
$80 to $200 per door
Strong, sound-reducing solid-core interior doors in many styles, known for quality and value. The pick for durable, quiet doors with broad selection.
Best for: Durable solid-core selection
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Simpson Wood Door
$200 to $600+ per door
Premium real-wood interior doors with classic craftsmanship for a high-end, stain-grade look. The pick when you want genuine wood and refined detail.
Best for: Premium real-wood doors
Typically available at Door dealers, Lumber yards.
Best value
Masonite 6-Panel Prehung
$60 to $150 per door
A widely available prehung 6-panel door ready to install in a new or replacement opening at a value price. A strong value for a standard, classic look.
Best for: Value prehung classic
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
JELD-WEN Hollow Core Prehung
$50 to $120 per door
An affordable prehung hollow-core door for bedrooms, closets, and low-traffic rooms, easy to install. A solid value for outfitting many openings.
Best for: Value prehung for most rooms
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Steves & Sons Interior Door
$50 to $180 per door
Quality interior doors and slabs in many styles at competitive prices. A dependable mid-value pick with good availability for slabs and prehung.
Best for: Value style options
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Budget pick
Hollow-Core Slab Door
$30 to $80 per door
A basic hollow-core slab to replace an existing door cheaply in a good frame. Light and inexpensive, fine for closets and low-traffic rooms on a budget.
Best for: Budget slab replacement
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Kimberly Bay Solid Core
$60 to $130 per door
Affordable solid-core slab doors in shaker and panel styles, a budget way to get a quieter, more substantial door. A value pick for solid-core on a budget.
Best for: Budget solid-core slab
Typically available at Amazon, Home Depot.
Store-Brand Interior Door
$25 to $70 per door
The cheapest basic interior door for rentals and budget projects. Hollow-core and simple, but the lowest cost to fill an opening with a serviceable door.
Best for: Lowest-cost doors
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
Slab or prehung door?+
A slab is just the door panel, used to replace an existing door in a frame that is still good. A prehung door comes already mounted in a frame with hinges, ideal for new openings or when the old frame is damaged. Prehung is easier to get plumb; slab is cheaper if your frame is fine.
Hollow-core or solid-core door?+
Hollow-core doors are light and cheap, fine for closets and low-traffic rooms. Solid-core doors have a dense core that blocks sound, feels substantial, and resists dents, ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices. Solid-core costs more but dramatically improves sound and quality feel.
How do I measure for a replacement door?+
For a slab, measure the existing door's width, height, and thickness, and match the hinge and knob locations. For a prehung, measure the rough opening (framing) width and height and note the wall thickness (jamb depth) and the door's hand (which way it swings). When unsure, measure twice.
What is door "handing"?+
Handing is which way the door swings and which side the hinges are on. Stand facing the door from the side it swings toward you: if the hinges are on the left it is left-hand, on the right it is right-hand. Prehung doors are sold by hand, so confirm yours before ordering.
Can I install an interior door myself?+
Replacing a slab in a good frame is a straightforward DIY, transfer the hinge and knob locations and hang it. Installing a prehung door means setting the frame plumb and level with shims and securing it, which is more involved but very doable for a careful DIYer.