Choosing the right interior doors for your remodel seems like a small detail, but it really makes a big impact on the look of your finished renovation. Not only do the doors need to be functional for the space, but also need to match the style you have chosen for the rest of the room. Here are a few of the many styles of interior doors available:
Standard Doors
Standard doors are the least expensive and most common door used for a residential remodel. These doors usually consist of a plain, flush door mounted on metal hinges at one side of the door frame. Standard doors are usually lightweight with a hollow core, but solid core doors are available as well. These types of doors have a wood veneer or a fiberglass finish that can be stained or painted just about any color you like.
Panel Doors
Panel doors are another commonly used interior door for residential buildings. They have square or rectangular patterns that can range from a single large panel, to eight or more small panels. The patterns can also include rounded tops and decorative finishes, as well as glass inserts to add extra glamour.
Bi-fold Doors
Bi-fold doors hang from a track located at the top of the door frame. Some doors come with a second track located at the base of the frame for added stability. Bi-fold doors are hinged in the middle and fold into themselves when opened. These kinds of doors are good for limited area spaces, such as laundry rooms and pantries. The most common designs are a louvered door or a flush paneled door. There are also glass versions available.
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 elegance to your space. These interior doors are commonly used in areas meant to put a room of your home on display, like music rooms, home offices, or dining rooms.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors, also known as Luan doors, are used on wider entryways such as closets. Sliding doors are mounted on an upper and lower track, allowing one panel to slide behind another. Considered more economical, sliding doors do not swing open and allow one to utilize the extra space. These are available in solid color, wood and mirrored varieties.
Barn Doors
Barn doors are another form of sliding doors, and are quickly catching on as a hot trend among homeowners. They can consist of one door sliding across, or two doors meeting in the middle. They hang over a wall via barn door hardware, and come in many different styles, sizes and colors.
Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are another variation of a sliding door. Instead of one panel sliding behind the other, the whole door slides into the wall. This door offers a completely unobstructed entry way. Pocket doors are harder to install and may require reworking existing framework of the wall. Pocket doors are finicky in areas with expansive soil, like north Texas.
Door Material & Finish
Based on the style of door you choose, you can also pick the material it is made of:
For a heavier, more durable, quality door, solid wood is a great option. While generally the most expensive option, many buyers consider solid wood to be a good value due to their long lasting composition. They also offer great insulation and provide a natural sound barrier.
A step below solid wood is a solid-core door, which is made of plywood or molded composite exterior and a filled-wood-fiber interior. Solid-core doors generally look and feel similar to that of a solid wood door, maintaining the same quality or ‘expensive’ feel. They also offer good insulation and sound barrier between rooms.
Lastly, a hollow-core door: constructed from a wood frame, plywood or hardwood surface and filled with rigid cardboard stints to maintain their shape. While lighter and less expensive than the former options, hollow-core doors are not as durable or fire-resistant. The sound barrier is also weaker due to the door’s empty core.
As for finishes, a variety of stains and paints are available. Stain gives doors a warm, classic look and is most popular for solid wood doors, as it emphasizes the wood grain.
Paint is a great way to add color or charm to existing or new interior doors. Many hollow-core doors often come primed with a white base coat, requiring the owner to paint that type of interior door.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about installing or replacing an interior door! Our professional design team would be more than happy to help you make the right decision on door style, color and construction material based on your needs and preferences!
Warm regards,
Mike
