Doors come in all shapes, designs, and sizes, as we all know. There are simple, smooth doors which are often ideal as internal doors or doors for wardrobes and cupboards, whilst there are French doors comprised of different panes of glass ideal for leading onto one’s garden or conservatory. But whichever style, design, or size of door you choose, there is one important consideration you must always keep in mind: the door’s material.
Doors come in different materials today, with the most popular (and traditional) being timber, but with a whole range of other modern materials in-between. The door material you choose should fit not only your budget, but also your preference, your location, and your door’s design as well.
The different materials for doors available today
Solid timber or wood doors
As mentioned, one of the most classic and traditional materials for doors is solid timber or wood. This material can be made from either hardwoods or softwoods, such as oak, maple, pine, or more. The type of wood you choose for your door can make a difference when it comes to the door’s overall price, so remember this as well. Hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, and maple tend to be more expensive than softwoods like pine.
Solid timber or wood doors are often chosen as external doors, although of course, you have the option of choosing these as internal doors as well. But it is also important to remember that solid timber doors may often expand or shrink depending on the temperature and weather conditions, so it may not be a good idea to use a solid timber or wood door for saunas, bathrooms, or other rooms which tend to have damp conditions.
Medium density fibreboard doors
Another material which is becoming more popular today is medium density fibreboard, or MDF. This material, available from suppliers such as www.almdesign.org, is known for its stability and durability. Since it is engineered, MDF is designed not to warp, rot, or flake, unlike solid timber or wood. Another aspect about MDF is that it does not have any grain pattern, so it looks quite smooth and is also quite easy to paint or finish.
Hollow and solid core doors
There are also hollow core and solid core doors which have their own distinct characteristics. Hollow core doors, for example, are often made from materials like moulded composite surfaces or plywood. As you can imagine, hollow core doors are less costly than solid timber or MDF doors, but tend to be more flimsy and less durable as well. Solid core doors, on the other hand, usually have an exterior plywood skin or moulded composite surface or skin, but the interior is then filled with a blend of wood and fibre. A solid core door is more expensive than a hollow core door as it is stronger and has better temperature and sound insulation properties, but it is not as strong as a solid timber or MDF door, either.
Glass and metal doors
Another option you have for your doors, whether internal or external, is a glass or a metal door. Glass is often combined with wood or other materials like MDF to create different door styles such as French doors. Meanwhile, metal doors require less maintenance but lack the aesthetic appeal offered by a solid timber or MDF door.
