Prehung Doors

I want to replace and existing door with a new
prehung six panel door. The problem is that the existing door measures 30 1/2 X 75 1/2. Should I cut off equal amounts of the top and bottom? We can't make the opening bigger because of 7 foot ceiling.

Thanks

 

Wellll....if you cut down both top and bottom of the door, and it's a prehung door, you're also going to have to figure out how to cut down the frame as well. Cutting off the bottom of the frame, not to hard, but you have to take the head pc off the jambs to cut down the tops and then re-assemble.....you might as well just buy a door and hang it by the time you butcher it up this much.

 

A couple of questions first
1. Is this an interior or exterior door?
2. Why do you need to replace the door?
3. Why do you want to use a "pre hung" door?
4. Do you have a problem with the existing jambs ( The "jambs" are the wooden frame which surrounds and supports the door)

 

The door is a pine planked door from a mud/laundry room to the garage. The house was built in 1738.
There are no jambs so to speak so that the reason for the prehung, plus I've never mortised for hinges before.

Thanks

 

You still haven't told us WHY are you needing to replace the door.

and if there are no jambs.....what is the door haning on now????

Unless the door is in BAD shape. anything from 1738 I would consider repairing or something.....

And I sure wouldn't go get any tacky prehung junk to go back in there.....

Have you got a digital camera ??? I'd love to have a pic of this....

andy

 

I'm with you Andy, Unless the existing door is completely rotten or eaten with termites consider restoring "it".

A modern "prehung" is not the way to go.

Sure hope you have a pic of this so we might be able to help you better.

 

Thanks for the input.
The house belongs to my daughter in Sterling MA
and I'm from Connecticut. I plan on going up there
this weekend and I'll take some pictures. The reason for a new door is for energy conservation and security. The existing door is hinged to the rough opening and is about 1 inch thick. There are no locksets on the doors, just simple latches of which I don't know if We can relace. It and every other door in the house are made of planks
with cleats about 3" from the top and bottom.
I said they were pine but it could be chestnut or any other wood from that time period. The prehung door was just an idea but I guess restoration is the way to go. I'll investigate this some more and get back to you with some pictures.

Thanks again for your input.