Guide to Interior Doors

Interior doors do more than just close off rooms; they are a main component of your interior design.

Try a classic paneled door in a traditional home or a smooth, flush door in a contemporary design. Got a small room? Pocket doors that slide into a wall are the perfect solution.

For continuity, be sure that all your interior doors match. Upgrading them will add value and elevate your decor.

Know Your Door Terminology

Bifold

Hinged panels, hung side by side, that fold against each other. Since they fold instead of swinging open, they're great for tight spaces, like closets or utility rooms.

Double

Two doors, hung side by side, that meet in the middle of the frame. They can be pre-hung or slab. They work especially well in an area where you want a more gracious entryway, such as a dining room or a master bedroom.

Flush

Flush doors are plain wood-veneered doors with either a hollow or solid core. They work well in contemporary homes where their simple, sleek design complements modern furnishings. Flush doors are available in a variety of wood species or ready-to-paint versions.

French

Usually one of a pair with glass panels that extend the full length of the door. French doors allow light through and make a room feel larger. They work well in rooms that need a division from other spaces with a minimum of privacy.

Hollow Core

This light, budget-friendly door consists of a frame or cardboard baffle, onto which a plywood veneer is glued. They're budget-friendly but provide little insulation and fire safety, and minimal soundproofing.

Louvered

Louvered doors have horizontal slats that allow for air circulation, which is particularly important for laundry rooms and closets. They come in wood or fiberglass and lend a casual look to your home. They are not recommended as the main door for bedrooms or bathrooms, as they allow sound to pass through.

Molded

Molded doors are made of fiberglass that has been molded to look like a wooden door. They cost less than their wooden counterparts; look for solid-core molded doors for their sound-deadening properties.

Pre-Hung

A door that comes pre-assembled with a frame, hinges and a knob. This is good for a new installation, where there is no existing frame.

Slab

A door without hinges, a knob or a frame. Perfect for replacement doors, where a frame already exists. Also good if you like to choose your own hardware.

Solid Core

A door with an inner core made of solid material, such as wood, foam or chipboard. The core is laminated with plywood or steel. They provide insulation, soundproofing and fire safety.

Wood

Solid wood doors are the best sound-insulating doors you can buy for the interior of your house. They have a warm, natural look and come in a variety of wood species to coordinate with your furnishings. Classic wood doors have the weight you can't find in solid core or hollow core fiberglass doors.