The materials you choose for your interior door play a key role in its quality and aesthetic appeal. While taste and style are important to consider, it's also important to consider other factors, such as cost and function. Read on to learn more about the most popular materials for interior door design.
Solid Wood Doors
Often favored by those with a taste for the traditional, a solid wood interior door can provide a warm and natural look. Interior doors are made from a variety of wood species, ranging from classic hardwoods like mahogany, to less expensive softwoods such as pine. Because so many wood species are used, prices for this type of material vary widely. For the most part, however, solid wood is usually the most expensive interior door material. The most popular wood for interior doors includes cherry, walnut, maple, or juniper.
Homeowners should keep in mind that, regardless of the wood type, all solid wood will shrink or expand with changing temperatures and humidity. It's best to avoid using a solid wood interior door in a bathroom or other area where it is exposed to a lot of moisture.
Solid-Core Doors
A solid-core interior door can offer similar sound and temperature insulation as solid wood doors, but at a much lower price. Usually built with an exterior skin made of plywood or a molded composite, a solid-core door is filled with a wood fiber blend that mimics the sturdy feeling of solid wood. While nothing can truly replace real wood, a solid-core door can is still an excellent, cheap alternative.
The variety of interior door materials makes it easy to decorate your home, no matter your design preferences. | @ fotolia.com / coralimages
Hollow-Core Doors
While a solid-core interior door has a wood fiber blend core to better simulate solid wood, the inside of a hollow-core door is empty. These doors are usually the most budget-friendly wood option for interior doors. A hollow-core door is made with lighter, less expensive materials like plywood or molded composite for an exterior skin. Since they are hollow, they aren't as durable and won't block noise as well as their solid counterparts.
MDF Doors
Medium density fiberboard (MDF), is an engineered wood product made from recycled wood fibers, and has become one of the most common interior door materials due to its affordability and durability. Unlike a traditional wood interior door, an MDF door is resistant to warping and lacks a wood grain texture, making the door smooth and easy to paint.
Metal and Glass Doors
As alternatives to the traditional wood interior door, metal and glass doors are gaining popularity rapidly. They can offer a more stylish, streamlined look than a standard wood or MDF door. While their glass inserts make these doors more expensive than other interior door styles, metal and glass doors are still cheaper than a classic door made of solid wood.
Overall, there are many interior door design and material options to choose from, ranging from elegant solid wood to more budget friendly MDF doors. Whatever your needs, be sure to check out our helpful contractor database to find the best interior doors for your home.
