Top 9 Types of Interior Doors

When building a new home or renovating an old one, homeowners often neglect interior doors.

And even when they do give the doors some thought, they’re probably only thinking about durability without considering beauty.

The interior doors in your home can add to your décor if you give them a little attention. Install a stylish and functional door in your house to give the place a dignifying look.

There are several types of interior doors made from different materials. Simply choose the type that fits your design and watch it add more charm to your home.

Types of Interior Doors

Here is a list of some common door types to consider.

1. Flush Doors

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Flush doors have a very flat and plain surface with no panels or ornamentation. They have the simplest and cheapest type of design, which makes them very popular. The doors are usually sold in solid form but may also be available in the lightweight hollow-core form. And have two layers of thin wood on a honeycomb cardboard core.

They come in different varieties of finishes, mostly stained wood and painted.  But you can purchase a flush door “pre-finished” and give it a special finishing like wallpaper.

Flush doors are flexible and can blend into your room design. You can also use them to make a hidden door.

A flush will help create a fantasy in a child’s room by blending it with the mural on the wall.

The doors are strong, durable, and insulating with proofing options. If you are looking for a simple door for your home, this flat piece maybe your best option.

 

2. Panel Doors

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Unlike the type above, panel doors have more appeal and detail. Although they are simple, they are also divided into different panels. These panels may run vertically or horizontally.

The doors come in different styles but the most common style is the raised panel door. They have their panels raised off the flat surface and can be recessed.

Panel doors are usually constructed in a frame and often referred to as “Stile and Rail.” This method of construction helps to minimize wood warp, swell, and shrink due to changes in temperature on solid wood.

Panel doors can be custom-made according to your specifications and you can have from two to about twelve panels. The trending types amongst homeowners are the standard panel doors, five-panel equal doors, and three-panel mission doors.

Panel doors are mostly sold unfinished but you can paint or stain if you wish. They may also come with glass inserts. Make sure the sections are well fitted and interlocking before you make a purchase.

 

3. French Doors

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French doors add a classic look to your design. They are made with glass panes that extend from up to down. They are mostly considered for exterior doors but make a great impact on the inside, too.

You can use them for your closet or separate different spaces in the house. French doors can be painted to suit your design. But white ones will give you a sleek and clean look; they can fit into any interior style you choose. They can add a dramatic touch to your entryways, kitchen and dining, living room, patio, and bedroom.

French doors allow a visual connection between two spaces and still bring in privacy. They are popular in a traditional setting and are also suitable for contemporary designs and modern designs.

 

4. Glass Doors

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If you are building a home with open space, glass doors should be your way of making clear demarcations. They come in different forms, depending on your specifications.

You can have a full glass door or combine it with other materials like metal and wood.

Glass doors are made from glasses that are toughened to reinforce their strength and are about ½ to ¾ inches thick. They come as sliding or swing doors.

Sliding glass doors have a wooden or metal frame and are mostly used in commercial areas. Swing doors, on the other hand, are used for residential areas. They may be hinged or frameless for a more modern look. You find frameless glass doors in the bathrooms and shower enclosures.

If you feel that wooden doors are too bland and heavy-looking, glass doors may just be your best option. They are customizable and can be modified to fit your design. Check the durability and lifespan of the materials before construction.

 

5. Pocket Doors

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Currently trending in the world of doors are pocket doors. They work like sliding doors but only one side rolls into an open space in the wall.

Nowadays, there are variations of pocket doors that allow double doors that you can slide to both sides. This slide is possible because they have side jambs to receive the doors and top jambs on the track. The top of the doors also have rollers for smooth gliding.

Pocket doors are suitable for partitioning homes with small spaces. You can use it for children's rooms, closets, storage areas, and study rooms. They are a good option for areas in the house where the doors are rarely closed.

These doors are constructed from various materials like wood, metal, or composite. They are also a perfect match for different interior styles like traditional, modern, and contemporary.

 

6. Double doors

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These are pairs of vertical doors that meet at the center of a door frame, unlike double acting doors. Double acting doors are two doors, or sometimes one door, constructed with a pivot hinge and can swing to different sides. For a double door, the two doors don’t need any form of operation to open.  They open separate ways to their hinges like regular doors.

Double doors create a stunning entrance and increase the aesthetic value of your home. Opening the two doors at a time creates a grand illusion of space. They are, however, more suitable for large houses because they occupy space.

The doors are commonly used for main doors and made from wood, metals, glass, composite, and a mix of these materials. They come in different styles, colors, designs, and sizes and allow for customization to enable you to adjust according to your budget.

 

7. Bi-fold Doors

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Bi-fold doors are a set of sliding doors attached by hinges. They are traditionally called “concertina doors” and sometimes “folding doors”. These doors use mechanisms of sliders and hinges as they are attached with end pivots on pins. They can be made from materials like wood, metal, glass, or vinyl.

These doors are suitable for small spaces like laundry rooms, bedroom closets, kitchen pantries, and the likes. They are also suitable for rooms that connect to outdoor areas like garden, balcony, and conservatory.

Bi-fold doors create open spaces and allow sunlight and natural ventilation. These doors have become popular because of their streamlined looks, which makes them suitable for modern and contemporary design.

 

8. Accordion Doors

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Similar to bi-fold doors, accordion doors also help you save a lot of space. Instead of swinging, these types of doors open by folding back in sections. They don’t disappear into the wall like pocket doors, they simply fold to one side. You can’t use them for entryways but they can serve as partitions between spaces in the house. The doors don’t require space to open and close like other traditional doors.

Accordion doors are easy to operate and less prone to slamming or opening and closing loudly. They are often made from wood, glass, vinyl, or plastic and can be modified into different sizes.

 

9. Bypass Doors

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Bypass doors are lightweight interior doors that hang on rollers and run along an overhead track. They are mostly mounted in pairs of twos or threes and slide along one axis on a parallel track, passing each other in the process.

They typically overlap each other to open the way. But there is no visible gap between them if you view from the front. They are used in closets mostly to provide head to toe mirror.

But the maintenance of bypass doors can be challenging because of the overlapping that makes reaching certain areas difficult while cleaning. They are constructed with glass, wood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

 

Wrap Up

Interior doors are significant in our homes as they divide our private spaces from public spaces. Aside from the demarcations and boundaries, interior doors can spark up the home design and give it a stunning look. 

You can be creative with your design by adding classic doors that fit.  Instead of sticking to one type of door all through, use more types in your home.

Remember, accordion doors, bypass doors, bi-fold doors, and pocket doors are very suitable for closets and shower enclosure. Add more beauty to your home design with the right interior doors.