A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Interior Doors
You want to choose a good door that not only opens and closes but adds style and compliments the room it is in. Internal doors are used to have privacy, reduce external noises and having easy access to closets and other storage places.
Most people do not realize that a new door will change a room’s appearance completely. At the same time it will also improve the functionality of the room. Each room in the house provides a different function therefore each room will require a different type of door and a different style. This will need to be considered when shopping for a new door.
There are many things to think about when shopping and installing a new door. The items to consider are what type of door would be best, should you purchase a pre hung or a slab door, should the door be constructed of a certain type of material, are there different technical aspects that need to be considered and finally should the door block sound.
There are hundreds of options that are available when shopping and installing interior doors. The styles of doors will vary from a standard hinge door to bi fold doors, sliding doors and pocket doors. Once the style of the door is selected the next step is to select the material that you want the door to be constructed from. These two items will help to ensure a practical and aesthetic fit.
Types of Internal Doors
Choosing between pre hung doors and slab doors is a relatively easy decision.
1. Pre-Hung doors
Pre-hung doors include the jamb and frame. They are easily installed and provider a uniform appearance.
2. Slab doors
Slab doors are just the door itself. This is an economical choice and will allow you to use the existing jamb and trim.
3. Raised panel doors
Raised panel doors feature frames with vertical sections and horizontal sections which will add style and detail to the door. The spaces between the sections are filled with wood panels and sometimes glass panels. It is possible to have a door with one or more vertical sections between the rails.
4. Flush Door
If you are looking to purchase an economical door you might want to consider a flush door. These have flat surfaces and are made of hardboard or wood veneer. The most common type of wood used on wood veneer doors is lauan mahogany. There are birch and a few other varieties available also.
What You Should Know Before Buying Interior Doors
When selecting the material a door is constructed of it is important to keep in mind how often the door is used. Doors that have a hollow core are lightweight and are perfect for low traffic areas.
If you are purchasing a door for an area that is a high traffic area and noisy it might be best to consider a solid core door that is constructed of particleboard or fiber core materials. This will give them weight which will help to reduce the noise level.
The most important step to having a new door in your home is to make sure that it is installed properly. It needs to be determined which way the door is going to swing. This will help for proper placement of the hinge and handle placement.
It is also a necessary to get a correct measurement of the doorway. You should measure the door at the top, the middle and the bottom. Use the smallest measurements. There are standard widths that include 18”, 20”, 24”, 28”, 30”, 32” and 36”.
There are standard sizes for height as well. These heights include 80”, 84”, and 96” doors. If these sizes are not what you measure you are able to custom fit doors and still get them in an array of designs and styles.
Bypass Doors vs. Hinged Doors
When considering the type of doors available it is best to know where each type will fit the best. A bypass door is easy maintenance. They hang on rollers and slide on a track. These are typically used in closets, bedrooms and cupboards. They tend to create more space while adding style to the room.
They also come in mirrored finishes for a brighter look and the added advantage of making a room look larger. If you have tight spaces that you are door shopping for you might want to consider a folding door. These doors pivot on the edge, they have a hinge in the middle and also slide on a track. It makes for easy access to closets, cupboards and pantries.
Advantage of Hinged Doors
They provide easy and full access to the small areas. A hinged door is one of the most common types of doors. They swing inward or outward, can be installed as a left or right handed door and are either hollow or solid.
The rooms that they are commonly used in are bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and pantries. The advantage of these doors are that they reduce noise and you can purchase them in different styles and designs to match the already existing décor.
Advantage of Pocket Doors
A pocket door is a door that slides on a track but is stored inside a wall. Closets, bedrooms and family rooms are often where you will find these doors. These doors have different advantages than other doors because they can fit where other styles can not and they are almost invisible when they are open.
There are many features to consider when shopping for a door. Sound dampening, themes, fire resistant, and mirrors are the common features as well as materials that they are constructed from and designs. Purchasing a door is a personal decision that only the individual doing the purchasing is able to make.
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