I was installing a couple of prehung doors and used the hollow core molded 6 panel type as I had used in the past. Previously Home Depot carried the Super Millwork brand and they were fine for what you paid for them. Now Home Depot carries the Masonite line. I purchased 2 brand new, still in the cardboard protective sleeves (they were made 4/1/05). I noticed the jambs were sort of “smooth” but did not realize until I unwrapped them them that the jambs are coated with some sort of “plastic”. The wrapper says “carbon coated”. I have never seen this before. It turns out the jambs are not even wood but some sort of pressed fiber (masonite maybe?) with this coating. It is a continuous coating over the jamb and stop molding. I needed to trim the stop molding to clear the marble threshold and what a PITA. There is no way to trim just the stop without scoring the jamb with the saw. Has anyone used these before? I assume that I can paint the jambs but they seem so slick I don’t know what type of primer/paint to use.
Also one of the jambs was totally bowed and one was about 3/8″ longer than the other. The hinges were all loose and 2 screws were missing. Whoever routed for the hinges and lockset must have been new to the job. I could not believe how poorly they were done. The hinge pockets were all oversized and the depths were all different. The mortised part for the lockset was done with a 1/2″ router and it started outside the mortised area. Now I have to fill that with something before painting.
I know these doors are cheap – like $59.00 but come on. There is no reason to put these on the market. I am going to Home Depot today to get the story from the manager as to why the vendor change. At least they could offer both and give you a choice. Sorry for the rant but it was a frustrating sunday afternoon. Now I remember why I always hung my own doors in the past.
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When I get masonite doors, I always order them with the upgraded jambs. Finger jointed solid wood. Oh Yea I dont get them from HD or blowes either. But from my normal supplier
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I guess when you buy from HD it is keep your fingers crossed and hope it is not crap. Do you know if that carbon coating is paintable? I am sure the "experts" at HD haven't got a clue.
As an aside - a friend from church happens to be working at a new HD that opened. Until about 2 weeks ago he was working at an appliance/electronics store. I guess he is now one of the experts in home remodeling.
"As an aside - a friend from church happens to be working at a new HD that opened. Until about 2 weeks ago he was working at an appliance/electronics store. I guess he is now one of the experts in home remodeling."
LOL. There's a reason why those "experts" work at the store, and not in the field.
I hate all those jerks. The worst is when a customer acts like I'm doing something wrong because the "expert" at Home Depot told them how to do it the right way.
Do yourself a favor and buy lumber/millwork from a local lumber yard.