Guide to Internal Doors
Whatever your needs, after reading this guide page, you will be able to make a more informed decision about the perfect door for your space.
Intro
Your doors should reflect your unique interior design style, whether contemporary, traditional or eclectic. If you would like an authentic submarine hatch to match your ocean themed living room, you do that! Although you will not find those at Builder Depot. Doors should also provide a sense of safety and security. For example, some doors help compartmentalise fires, slowing the spread.
What is a Panel Door?
Panel doors are perfect for domestic properties. They are simple, versatile and can be both modern and homely. The most common type is the 4 panel door , followed by the 6 panel internal door . Although, there are more exciting varieties to choose from, like the Deanta Pamplona range. Depending on your preference, you can purchase a prefinished interior door that has already undergone a process of painting, waxing and varnishing to a factory level standard before reaching the store. Alternatively, if you prefer more flexibility and creative freedom, an unfinished door is ready to finish and paint yourself.
A solid core door comprises a solid engineered wood core and a natural wood veneer. This composition allows for greater strength and sound resistance and prevents warping. However, an extra pair of hands for installation will come in handy due to the door's weight. Solid core doors should not be confused with solid doors, which are just what they sound like; a separate frame and panel made entirely of natural wood. They have excellent insulating and sound-proofing abilities. But due to their advanced durability and quality, they can be on the pricier side.
If you are looking for more light-duty, cost-effective options, moulded doors are a sensible choice. This variety consists of a standard core, also known as a hollow core, which can either be cardboard or plastic honeycombed layers. Standard core doors are non-fire-rated.
What is a Bifold Door?
Bifold doors, or concertina doors, can be a great space-saving technique. When opened, they slide and fold to become compact. Particularly popular for closet doors, they provide a contemporary alternative to more common varieties. If you love the open plan feel but don’t want to commit to demolishing a wall, you might benefit from a room divider. Room dividers, or folding doors, can be made up of more than two doors and are great for creating more space between rooms.
What is the Purpose of a Fire Door?
Fire-rated doors act as passive barriers against fire, confining it to one area for a longer period of time. An FD30 fire door will measure 44mm or 45mm in thickness and are ideal for residential properties. They can hinder the spread of a fire for 30 minutes. FD60 fire doors are 54mm thick and are more suitable for commercial buildings like offices and schools. They can slow the spread of a fire for 60 minutes. If you need to check your current fire doors, look at this IFSEC GLOBAL publication for a 5 step fire door checklist . Fire doors must be fitted with fire-rated hinges and door lining in order to comply with regulations.
What is a Glazed Door?
Glazed doors are great for giving the illusion of more space in a room. If an area does not receive much light, you may be able to steal some sun from the room next door! An internal glazed door can also be made available in frosted glass, allowing for use in bathrooms and other areas where privacy is paramount. Deanta and LPD both offer some gorgeous, modern glazed door designs. And if you don’t want to lose out on any safety benefits, go for a fire glazed door .
What is a Pocket Door?
Pocket doors are cool; there is no denying it. They hang from a track and slide in and out of a slot in the wall. A pocket door system is a great space-saving option, especially in small bathrooms and cupboards. Also, don’t forget it’s a sliding door when you try to open it!
How Tall is a Door?
There are a few standard door sizes depending on what you need. Many suppliers offer made to order services for those needing non-standard door sizes. Doors with a solid timber core, like FD30 and FD60 doors, can be trimmed in-store at Builder Depot. Consult the manufacturer's instructions before deciding how much to trim from a door, as this can vary between manufacturer and style.
Remember, fire doors will be thicker than standard 35mm doors!