Are you building a new home, remodeling a room, or replacing an old or damaged interior door? There are several options available for interior doors and choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult. Below you will find some information to help you decide which door style and material will help you add to the existing charm of your home.
Interior Door Style
To start it’s good to understand your options when it comes to door styles. Interior doors come in hinged panel, flush, bi-fold, French, sliding, pocket, and other styles. Below you will find a description of the most popular door styles so you can start to become familiar with the options that are out there.
– Panel Doors
Panel doors are the most commonly used interior doors for homes. They have square or rectangular patterns that can range from one single large panel, to eight or more small panels. The patterns can also include rounded tops, decorative finishes, and glass inserts. Selecting a door from this category simply comes down to personal taste. Panel door styles that are currently trending in new homes include: the three panel mission, the five panel equal and the standard whole panel door.
– Flush Doors
Flush interior doors offer a clean and classic look for your home. This door is completely flat and offers an affordable price tag for most home owners.
– Bifold Doors
Bifold doors are a set of interior doors that are hinged together, fold into each other, and are mounted and hung from a track. Bifold doors are most commonly found in areas like bedroom closets, laundry rooms and pantries. You should use this type of door in small spaces or in areas where you’re hesitant to place a full swinging door.
– French Doors
French doors add a dramatic touch to any entryway. This door configuration contains two hinge-hung doors mounted on either side of the opening that swing towards one another. French doors commonly use glass inserts or decorative panels to add a touch glamour. These doors are commonly used in areas that you want to put on display, such as music rooms, offices, living rooms, master bedrooms, etc.
– Sliding Doors
Sliding doors are a less commonly used door. Hung by two or more interior doors mounted to a track. They do not swing so they are useful in areas without much floor space, however they do require space to either the left or right of each door to ensure the doors can move freely back and forth. While these doors are not extremely common they can be used to provide a unique option for rooms that may originally have been constructed for a French door opening.
– Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are a old style style that has recently come back with a bang. These interior doors are similar to a sliding door, but are usually just a single door mounted to a rolling overhead track. New versions of the pocket door now allow double doors to be stored in spaces on either side of the doorway. An added benefit to the pocket door is that the wall basically hides any door part, making it a great option for rooms where the door rarely needs to be closed. Pocket doors are great to use in small spaces such as toilet rooms, closets, music rooms, etc.
Interior Door Material
Selecting a door material usually comes down to two factors: personal taste and budget. There are three common materials for interior doors. They are wood, solid core and hollow core.
– Solid Wood Doors
Solid wood doors have the most weight to them. They are extremely sturdy, have resistance to cracking and chipping, and have a aesthetic appeal. While they are generally the most expensive option, many buyers consider solid wood to be a good value due to their long lasting ability. Solid wood interior doors also offer great insulation and provide a natural sound barrier.
– Solid-Core Doors
Solid-core doors are made from plywood or molded composite exterior, with a filled-wood-fiber interior. Solid-core doors generally look and feel similar to that of a solid wood door and maintain the same feel. They offer good insulation and a quality sound barrier between rooms. These doors like solid wood are heavy and may contract with heat and moisture levels which may cause issues if extreme weather conditions are a factor in your home.
– Hollow-Core Doors
Hollow-core is usually the least expensive of the three materials. These doors are constructed from a wood frame, plywood or hardwood surface and filled with rigid cardboard to maintain their shape. While lighter and less expensive than solid wood or solid-core doors, hollow-core doors are not as durable or fire-resistant. The sound barrier is also weaker due to the door’s composition. However if heat and humidity in your home is a concern these doors are a great option as they do not warp from these conditions.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about purchasing or installing an interior door.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains.