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A Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Interior Doors For Your Home
By Andrew Devereaux on July 29, 2024
Interior doors play a crucial role in the overall functionality, aesthetics, and ambiance of your home. They are more than just functional barriers that provide privacy and noise reduction as they significantly impact the interior design and flow of your living spaces. Choosing the right interior doors can enhance the style and feel of your home, making each room more inviting and cohesive.
Having the right interior doors is essential because they contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal and value of your home. The right door style can complement your home’s interior decor and reflect your personal taste. Moreover, well-chosen doors can improve the functionality of your space. For instance, sliding doors or pocket doors can save space in smaller rooms, while solid-core doors can provide better sound insulation for bedrooms and home offices.
When it comes to choosing interior doors, many people face common challenges. One of the primary issues is understanding the various materials available and their benefits. Interior doors come in several materials, such as solid wood, solid core, or hollow core. Each material has its pros and cons in terms of durability, sound insulation, and cost. Another common problem is selecting the right door style that matches the overall decor of the home. With so many designs available making a choice can be overwhelming.
Additionally, homeowners often struggle with the practical aspects of door installation and maintenance. Questions about door sizes, compatibility with existing frames, and hardware selection are also common concerns. Making sure that the door fit properly and functions smoothly is vital for long-term satisfaction.
At Builders Surplus, we understand these challenges and know how to address them so that you can make the door-buying process much smoother and more enjoyable.
9 Types of Interior Doors
Barn doors are a stylish, space-saving interior option that slide horizontally along a track, featuring various wood finishes and industrial hardware to complement diverse decor styles.
1. Barn Doors
Barn doors are a unique and stylish type of interior door that slide horizontally along a track, rather than swinging open like traditional doors. Inspired by rustic farm aesthetics, barn doors have become a popular choice in modern home design for their space-saving functionality and distinctive charm. Typically made from wood, they can feature various finishes, from natural, weathered looks to sleek, painted surfaces. The hardware, often exposed, adds an industrial touch that complements a variety of interior styles, including rustic, farmhouse, modern, and even eclectic decors.
French doors provide elegance and sophistication by allowing natural light to flow and visually connecting spaces, making them ideal for creating a sense of openness.
2. French Doors
French doors are elegant and sophisticated interior doors characterized by their multiple glass panes, which often extend the full length of the door. These doors can be double-hinged, opening in the center, or single-hinged, opening to one side. Typically, French doors are made of wood or metal frames with glass inserts. They can be found in various styles, from traditional to contemporary. They are renowned for their ability to allow natural light to flow between rooms while providing a visual connection between spaces, making them an excellent choice for creating a sense of openness in your home.
Pine doors offer versatile customization options with distinctive grain patterns and warm tones, ideal for southwestern, rustic, or country-inspired designs.
3. Pine Doors
Pine doors are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to infuse a sense of rustic charm and natural beauty into their living spaces. These solid wood doors, known for their distinctive grain patterns and warm tones, are particularly well-suited for homes that embrace southwestern, rustic, or country-inspired designs. Pine doors are incredibly versatile, as they can be stained or painted in a variety of shades to match your personal aesthetic and complement your existing decor. Whether you prefer a natural, clear finish to highlight the wood’s inherent beauty or a bold color to make a statement, pine doors offer endless customization options.
Bi-fold doors are a stylish and practical solution for small spaces like closets and pantries, available in various materials and customizable to match your home decor.
4. Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors are a practical and stylish solution for areas where space is at a premium. These doors consist of two or more panels that fold and stack neatly against one another when opened, allowing for easy access to closets, laundry rooms, pantries, or any other small space. Typically mounted on a track, bi-fold doors are available in a variety of materials, including wood, glass, and composite, and can be customized with different finishes and hardware to suit your home’s decor. Their compact design makes them ideal for homes where maximizing space and functionality is crucial without compromising on style.
Sliding closet doors offer a sleek, space-saving solution for storage access in modern and contemporary homes, available in various materials and styles to match any decor.
5. Sliding Closet Doors
Sliding closet doors are an efficient and stylish solution for accessing storage spaces without taking up additional floor space. These doors operate by sliding along a track, allowing them to open and close smoothly without swinging outwards. Sliding closet doors come in a variety of materials, including wood, glass, mirrored surfaces, and even contemporary composites, offering a range of styles to match any home decor. They are particularly popular in modern and contemporary homes due to their sleek, space-saving design.
Louver doors provide ventilation and privacy, making them ideal for spaces needing airflow like laundry rooms and closets, while adding texture and style to your decor.
6. Louver Doors
Louver doors are a distinctive type of interior door characterized by their horizontal slats, or louvers, which are set into a frame. These slats allow for ventilation while maintaining privacy, making louver doors an excellent choice for spaces that require airflow, such as laundry rooms, closets, and utility areas. Available in various materials like wood, MDF, and composite, louver doors can be painted or stained to match your home’s decor. Their unique design not only adds a touch of texture and interest to a room but also serves a practical purpose by promoting air circulation.
Pantry doors provide easy access to your kitchen pantry and enhance aesthetics with various styles like solid wood, glass-paneled, and barn-style, serving as both functional and decorative focal points.
7. Pantry Doors
Pantry doors are specifically designed to provide easy access to your kitchen pantry while enhancing the overall aesthetic of your kitchen space. These doors come in a variety of styles, including solid wood, glass-paneled, frosted glass, barn-style, and even chalkboard finishes, allowing you to choose a look that complements your kitchen decor. Pantry doors can be both functional and decorative, serving as a focal point in the kitchen while also keeping your pantry items organized and out of sight.
Don’t Forget The Accessories
Handles and knobs can complement any home’s aesthetic from modern to rustic.
Handles and Knobs
Handles and knobs combine functionality with style, available in designs like knobs, lever handles, and pulls. They should complement your home’s aesthetic, whether modern, traditional, or rustic, with finishes such as brass, chrome, nickel, bronze, and matte black. Privacy knobs are ideal for bathrooms and bedrooms, while passage knobs suit closets and hallways.
Hinges
Hinges ensure smooth door operation and should match the material and finish of your door handles. Available types include standard, concealed, and pivot, with the right hinge depending on the door’s weight and style. Choosing the appropriate size and type is essential for durability and functionality, especially for heavier doors.
Locks
Locks provide security and privacy. Exterior doors need high-security options like deadbolts, while interior doors may only require privacy locks or latches. Modern smart locks offer added convenience and security features. The right lock balances security needs with ease of use.
Glass Inserts
Glass inserts enhance doors’ aesthetics and allow light to pass through, available in styles like clear, frosted, etched, stained, or textured glass. Full-length inserts create a dramatic effect, while smaller panes offer a traditional look. Tinted or frosted glass is ideal for privacy, while clear glass suits spaces needing natural light.
Solid Wood vs. Solid Core vs. Hollow Core
Solid Wood Doors
Solid wood doors are made entirely of natural wood, such as oak, maple, or pine, offering a premium and rich appearance with natural grain patterns and textures. These doors are highly durable, capable of withstanding heavy use and impacts, and they provide excellent sound insulation due to their heavier weight. Solid wood doors can be customized with various stains, paints, or natural finishes, allowing for versatile design options. However, their quality and craftsmanship come at a higher cost, making them a more expensive choice compared to other door types.
Solid Core Doors
Solid core doors are constructed with a solid core of engineered wood or composite materials, covered with a veneer or laminate. They offer greater durability than hollow core doors, with better resistance to impact and wear, while still providing good sound insulation and a solid feel. These doors can mimic the appearance of solid wood at a lower cost and are available in a variety of finishes and styles, suitable for painting or veneering. Solid core doors strike a balance between quality and affordability, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.
Hollow Core Doors
Hollow core doors are made with a lightweight frame covered by thin wood or fiberboard panels, featuring a hollow interior. They are the least durable of the three types, being more susceptible to damage, but their lightweight nature makes them easy to install and handle. Aesthetically, hollow core doors have a simpler appearance that can be painted or veneered, though they provide minimal sound insulation. These doors are the most affordable option, ideal for budget-conscious projects and areas where high durability is not a critical requirement.
Pre-Hung Doors vs. Slab/Panel Doors
Pre-Hung Doors
Pre-hung doors come as a complete unit, including the door slab, hinges, and frame, making installation quick and straightforward. They are ideal for new construction or for replacing an entire door and frame. The pre-hung setup ensures the door is properly aligned within the frame, reducing the chances of misalignment or gaps. This type of door is perfect for those looking for a hassle-free installation and a seamless fit.
Slab/Panel Doors
Slab or panel doors are simply the door itself, without the frame, hinges, or hardware. They are more versatile, allowing you to use your existing door frame and customize the hardware and finishes to your preference. Slab doors are an excellent choice for those looking to update their interior doors without replacing the entire frame. They offer flexibility in design and can be tailored to fit specific aesthetic preferences or unique door frames.
At Builders Surplus, we offer a wide selection of interior doors available as both slabs and pre-hung units. Whether you’re looking for the convenience of a pre-hung door or the flexibility of a slab door, you’ll find high-quality options that meet your needs and enhance your home’s interior. Visit Builders Surplus to explore our extensive range of door styles and find the perfect fit for your home improvement project.
How Much Do Interior Doors Cost?
Our wide variety of interior doors fit every budget and style, ensuring you find the perfect door for your home.
These ranges can vary based on the material, finish, customization, and installation requirements. At Builders Surplus, we offer a wide variety of interior doors to fit every budget and style, ensuring you find the perfect door for your home.
Low End: $200 – $400
High End: $800 – $1,500
Low End: $200 – $500 per door
High End: $1,000 – $2,500 per door
Low End: $150 – $300
High End: $500 – $1,000
Low End: $50 – $150
High End: $300 – $700
- Sliding Closet Doors:
Low End: $100 – $300
High End: $600 – $1,200
Low End: $100 – $250
High End: $400 – $800
Low End: $100 – $250
High End: $500 – $1,000
For a detailed guide, read our extensive blog titled “5 Steps to Replacing Interior Doors.”
How To Install Interior Doors
Whether you’re updating for style or performance, here are the basics: Start by assessing your current doors, measuring the openings, and removing the old doors and frames if necessary. Gather all necessary materials and tools, ensuring you have everything on hand. During installation, place the new door into the opening, using shims to level and secure it. Finally, make any necessary adjustments, secure the door with nails, and finish with spackle and paint or stain.
For a detailed guide, read our extensive blog titled “5 Steps to Replacing Interior Doors.”
Get The Best Price On Quality Interior Doors
At Builders Surplus, we offer the best prices on high-quality interior doors with a personalized experience, vast inventory, and exceptional quality, ensuring you find the perfect doors.
At Builders Surplus, we pride ourselves on offering the best prices on high-quality interior doors. Unlike the well-known big box stores, we provide a personalized experience with a wide range of options in stock so that you can find the perfect doors for your home.
When you shop with us, you’ll discover a vast inventory of materials, styles, and finishes to suit any design preference. Our commitment to quality means you can trust that you’re getting durable and beautiful doors that will enhance your home’s look and function for years to come.
At Builders Surplus, we guarantee the best prices in town. Our competitive pricing ensures that you get the most value for your money without sacrificing quality. Visit our store today to explore our extensive selection and meet with our knowledgeable staff who can help you find exactly what you need for your home improvement project.
Don’t settle for less. Choose Builders Surplus for unbeatable prices and exceptional quality on interior doors.