Selecting Door Materials for the Interior and Exterior of Your Home

Before beginning a major renovation project, you should carefully consider whether or not you want to replace the existing doors of your home. The primary distinction that you need to pay attention to is the materials you select for your interior and exterior doors. Choosing the right material will significantly impact your door's appeal and architectural beauty. In this article, we give you helpful tips for selecting door materials for the interior and exterior of your home!

 What is the difference between interior and exterior doors?

 For starters, exterior doors are bulky and heavy, while internal doors are thin and light. Due to their hollowness, interior doors aren't meant to be soundproof. Exterior doors are built thicker because they serve a different purpose than the inner doors. Unlike interior doors, outdoor doors require a more solid core, typically made from wood to keep out the cold and heat. A thick veneer is nearly always present on exterior doors to provide additional insulation and weather resistance. Occasionally, interior doors are insulated, but this is uncommon. 

 However, internal doors with a solid core can give some protection against draughts. Typically, interior doors are not handled aggressively, whereas exterior doors must be maintained to survive the weather. The painting and staining techniques are carried out so that the door remains durable. After this, you will not have to repaint as frequently. In contrast, the paint on an interior door is durable and requires no extra care to maintain its colour.

 Interior door materials

1. Solid wood door

 Individuals with a flair for the classics often gravitate towards solid wood interior doors since they offer a warm and natural appearance. There is a wide range of wood types used to construct interior doors, ranging from classic hardwoods like mahogany to less expensive softwoods like pine. Cherry, walnut, maple, and juniper are the most common woods used for interior doors. Because so many types of wood are employed, the pricing for this material varies greatly. However, solid wood is typically the most expensive material for interior doors.

2. Solid-core door

A solid-core internal door can provide comparable sound and temperature insulation to a solid wood door at a far lower cost. A solid-core door is often constructed with an external skin of plywood or a moulded composite and is filled with a wood fibre blend that imitates the robust feel of solid wood. While nothing can replace natural wood, a solid-core door is a great and inexpensive substitute.

3. Hollow-core door

An internal flush door with a hollow core is frequent for new construction. It has a strong wood frame that usually is around 1 1/2 inches broad. An internal cardboard webbing provides stiffness and prevents drumming. These doors can survive decades if handled with care, but they can be dented or perforated if struck with force. A door with lauan mahogany veneer is the cheapest option. Oak or birch veneered doors are frequently a wise investment over time.

4. MDF door

MDF (Medium-density fiberboard) is an engineered wood product created from wood fibres that have been reprocessed. Due to its cost and durability, it has become one of the most popular interior door materials. MDF interior doors are resistant to warping and lack a wood grain pattern, making them smooth and easy to paint.

Exterior door materials

 1. Steel exterior door

Approximately fifty per cent of the exterior door industry is dominated by steel, so steel doors are unquestionably among the best exterior doors you can purchase. Steel, the least expensive material, has a high resistance to the elements and a high insulating value. In addition, high-quality steel can be elegantly painted with ease. Even though steel is not as durable as fibreglass and is susceptible to dents and corrosion, having an adequately kept steel door is still one of the best outside doors.

2. Wooden exterior door

Nothing is more charming than a traditional solid wood entry door for the most outstanding exterior doors. Solid wood provides excellent strength and insulating qualities. Oak and other hardwoods are highly resistant to denting. A door constructed from gorgeous full-length pieces of wood will cost extra. A paint-grade door connects smaller components. All external doors must be coated with a paint or finish to avoid warping and cracking. Some exterior wood-panel doors are constructed with a foam core for increased insulation and stability.

3.Fibreglass exterior door

The most likely contenders for your home's most excellent external doors are fibreglass doors, which are the dazzling hybrids of current door culture. These moderately priced goods are more resistant to harm than steel and require minimal upkeep. In addition, fibreglass doors accept finishes or stains well, and they can be textured to simulate wood grains. A fibreglass door's low cost and practicality make it one of the best external doors, despite its susceptibility to cracking under high strain.

4.Stave-core exterior door

A stave-core (sometimes referred to as "core-block") exterior door resembles a conventional wood-panel door, but it is composed of numerous thin pieces of wood that have been bonded together. The veneer is subsequently applied to the laminated core. This procedure produces a very stable door. However, the surface may peel if the door is not coated with a stain or paint. 

5. Glass-panelled door

Glass-panelled doors, especially outside doors, must be well-constructed. Individual panes of glass are frequently referred to as "lights." For an outside door, acquire gas-filled thermal glass panes and ensure that the glass is properly sealed against the stiles and rails.

If you’re still having trouble choosing which material you should use for your door, feel free to view our catalogue of Rockdoor composite doors and pick your new door today!