Are you looking to upgrade the interior doors in your home? You have an exciting home renovation ahead of you, and now it’s time to choose new interior doors. The options may seem overwhelming, from materials and styles to installation types. This article provides an overview of the most popular doordesignlab’s door interior types to help you determine which style is right for your home.
Slab Doors: A Simple and Versatile Choice
Slab doors are one of the most basic yet versatile interior door options. A slab door consists of a rectangular panel without any frame – just a simple flat slab of material. The most common materials for slab doors are wood, fiberglass, steel, and glass. Wood slab doors provide an attractive, natural look and come in a variety of wood types like oak, maple, pine, and mahogany. They can enhance the warmth and character of a space. Fiberglass and steel slab doors are low-maintenance, impact-resistant, and durable options suitable for high-traffic areas. For a modern, open-concept look, glass slab doors allow natural light to flow through while still providing some separation. They come in frosted, patterned, or clear glass and require additional framing and hardware for installation and operation.
Prehung Doors: Convenience and Ease of Installation
When choosing interior doors for your home, prehung doors offer significant benefits in terms of installation and convenience. Prehung doors do not require the extra work of installing hinges or cutting the door to size to fit the frame. This streamlines the installation process and reduces the chance of measurement errors. It also do not require shims to level and secure them, as the frame provides a solid mounting point in the wall opening.Â
- Prehung doors save time. The pre-assembled frame and door can be installed in a fraction of the time required to install a slab door. This also makes prehung doors ideal for DIY installation.
- Prehung doors do not require special tools or skills. You will only need standard tools like a hammer, level, nails or wood screws, and wood shims. This eliminates the need to cut doors to size or install hinges.
- Prehung doors provide a professional finish. The tight, evenly-spaced margins around the door give a high-quality look without requiring advanced carpentry skills.
- Prehung doors are adaptable. They are available for openings of any shape or size and can be installed in either wood or drywall construction.
Folding and Sliding Doors: When Space Is Limited
When choosing interior doors for small spaces, folding and sliding door options allow rooms to remain open or closed as needed without requiring much floor space for the door to swing open.Â
Bi-fold doors
Bi-fold doors consist of two doors hinged together that fold up as they are opened, occupying minimal space. They can be installed over doorways or used as closet doors. For small rooms, bi-fold doors can make the space seem more open when fully extended yet still provide privacy when closed.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors open by sliding along tracks, rather than swinging open. Pocket sliding doors slide into pockets in the wall, hiding the door when open. They provide easy access between rooms without obstructing floor space. Barn doors are a rustic sliding door style where the door slides along an exposed track. They have a casual, industrial look and are also very space efficient.
French Doors: Bring the Outdoors In
French doors are an ideal choice if you want to create an open, airy feel in your home by visually connecting two spaces. Consisting of a pair of doors with glass panes, French doors provide access between rooms while still allowing natural light to filter through.
What are the benefits of French doors?
French doors offer several advantages over regular doors:
- They create an open, spacious feel by connecting two areas.Â
- They allow natural light to filter into interior rooms.Â
- They enhance ventilation and airflow.Â
- They add architectural style.Â
What types of French doors are available?
French doors come in a range of styles to suit any decor:
- Double-hung doors
- Swinging doors
- Sliding doors
What materials are French doors made of?
- Wood
- Aluminum
- Vinyl or composite
- Fiberglass
Barn Doors: Rustic Charm for Modern Spaces
Barn doors are a popular trend in home decor that can add visual interest and rustic appeal to any space. Barn doors slide open on a track, rather than swinging open on hinges. They originated as a practical way to close large openings in agricultural buildings, but today are used in homes to stylishly separate spaces or conceal areas like closets.
Installation
- Wall-mounted track: A track is mounted directly to the wall on either side of the door opening. This provides an exposed, decorative track and is ideal if you have enough wall space.
- Ceiling-mounted track: For tight spaces without enough wall space, a track can be suspended from the ceiling. This provides a more concealed track option.
Hidden Doors: Discreet Access for Special Spaces
If you desire concealed access to certain areas of your home, hidden doors offer discreet entryways while maintaining the integrity of your interior design. Hidden doors, also known as secret doors or concealed doors, are built to blend into and match the surrounding wall so that they are undetectable when closed.
There are two main types of hidden doors: pivot doors and sliding doors. Pivot doors rotate out from a wall and provide access at a 90-degree angle. Sliding hidden doors slide parallel to an open wall space. Both options can match your wall covering, whether drywall, wood panels, brick or another material.
Solid Wood Doors: Timeless Beauty and Durability
Solid wood doors are a premium choice that provide functional, esthetic, and structural benefits. Constructed entirely from wood, they offer unmatched beauty, security, and longevity. However, there are several factors to consider when selecting a solid wood door.
The type of wood used determines the door’s appearance, durability, and price. Oak and mahogany are popular, attractive options that can last 50-100 years. Pine and engineered wood doors are more affordable but less durable. Exotic woods like rosewood or teak are rare and expensive. The wood’s grain pattern and any distressing or stains applied also affect the look. Those seeking an ornate, custom design may choose wood that takes well to carving and shaping.
Are Solid Core Doors Worth the Investment?
Solid core doors are constructed with a solid wood or composite core material surrounded by a wood veneer or laminate. They are more dense, durable, and soundproof than hollow core doors. However, solid core doors are significantly more expensive, often costing 2-3 times as much. If budget is a concern, solid core doors may not be feasible for your entire home.
When Are Hollow Core Doors Sufficient?
Hollow core doors have a hollow space inside and are lighter and more affordable. They can work well for closets, hallways, and other low-traffic areas where durability and noise reduction are less important. However, hollow core doors dent and scratch more easily and do little to muffle sound. They may not withstand the frequent use or abuse that some doors experience.
Conclusion
Choosing an interior door may seem like a straightforward task, but as you have now discovered, there are many options to consider. The perfect door for your home depends on balancing your needs for functionality, privacy, and style. Whether you opt for a traditional wood door, a space-efficient sliding door, or a stylish barn door, take the time to evaluate how it will suit your particular space and needs. An interior door is a design element that you will live with for many years, so choose wisely based on quality, durability, and esthetic. With the variety of high-quality, affordable options now available, you can find an interior door that is beautiful, long-lasting, and perfectly suited to your home.
