Interior doors do so much more than just open and close. They really can set the tone for each room, give you the privacy you need, reduce noise, and make your space feel like your own.
Picking the perfect interior door can really transform a room, making it more functional and more pleasing to the eye. We’ll take a closer look at the key factors to consider when buying interior doors.
What to Think About Before You Buying a interior doors
Before we even start looking at shiny new doors, there are a few things we need to get clear on.
Functionality: Matching the Door to the Room’s Purpose.
First off, what job does this door need to do? If it’s for a busy hallway or living room, you’ll want something pretty durable with decent hardware. Now, if it’s for your bedroom or bathroom, then solid-core doors are your best bet for keeping things private and muffling sounds. You might even want to think about proper soundproof doors if you’ve got a particularly noisy household or a home office where peace and quiet is golden.
Dimensions and Configuration: Ensuring a Perfect Fit and Flow.
Getting your measurements spot on is absolutely crucial for a proper fit. You also need to think about how much space the door needs to swing open and closed if you’re going for a traditional hinged door. If space is a bit tight, have you considered pocket doors or sliding doors? They’re brilliant for smaller rooms or narrow hallways. And a clever trick to brighten up darker spots is to go for doors with glass inserts – they can really make a difference.
Style & Aesthetics: Complementing Your Home’s Décor.
Your doors should really work with the overall look and feel of your home. For example, if you’ve got a lovely traditional or vintage place, panel doors can look absolutely the part. On the other hand, if you’re all about that sleek, modern vibe, then minimalist or flush doors might be more your cup of tea.
Don’t forget about the finish, colour, and even the door handles – they all play a role in creating a cohesive look.
Budget: Balancing Cost with Quality and Longevity.
Let’s talk brass tacks – how much do interior doors cost? It’s important to set a realistic budget right from the start. Remember, you’re not just paying for the door itself; you’ll also need to factor in the cost of fitting it and any long-term bits and bobs like painting or staining. It’s always a good idea to try and strike a balance between the initial cost and the quality of the door, as something a bit more robust will likely last you much longer.
Interior Door Design Inspiration
As a leading domestic window and door manufacturer, Grandsea can provide a variety of different types of interior doors for you to choose from! Let’s take a quick look at the most popular ones:
The Swing Door
You know the ones – they’re hinged on one side and swing open. A proper workhorse and suitable for most rooms.
Space-Saving Sliding Doors
These slide along a track, making them perfect if you’re a bit short on space.
bifold Doors
These fold up into sections when you open them, often a good shout for cupboards and utility areas.
Rustic Charm with Barn Doors
A type of sliding door that hangs from a track above the opening – gives a lovely farmhouse feel.
Light and Elegance with French Doors
These feature glass panels, letting light flood between rooms. They can also be used as exterior doors, so our guide to the best front door manufacturers might be handy if you’re considering those.
Traditional Appeal of Panel Doors
Decorated with raised or flat panels, adding a bit of visual interest.
Modern Simplicity of Flush Doors
These have a completely flat, smooth surface for a really minimalist look.
Ventilation with Louver Doors
With horizontal slats, they allow air to circulate, making them good for wardrobes and pantries.
Disappearing Act with Pocket Doors
They slide right into a compartment in the wall, vanishing completely when open – brilliant for saving space.
What is the best material for a interior door
The stuff your door is made from really makes a difference, not just to how it looks but also how it performs. Let’s have a peek at some common materials:
- The Timeless Appeal of Solid Wood: Proper solid wood doors look fantastic, feel substantial, and are great at keeping sound out. The only thing to watch out for is that they can sometimes warp a bit if the humidity changes a lot.
- Practical and Versatile MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): MDF gives you a really smooth surface that’s easy to paint, and it’s less likely to warp, plus it’s generally more affordable.
- The Look of Wood at a Lower Cost: This is where you have a thin layer of real wood stuck onto a less expensive core, giving you the look of solid wood without the full price tag.
- Hollow Core Doors: These are lightweight and won’t break the bank, but they don’t offer much in the way of soundproofing or durability. They’re probably best for areas where privacy isn’t a big deal.
- Solid Core Doors: As the name suggests, these have a solid core (often made of composite materials) and are much heavier and more robust than hollow core ones, giving you better sound insulation.
- Glass Doors and Panels: Often used in French doors or as decorative panels to brighten things up.
- Pine Doors: A versatile option that you can easily stain or paint, and you can even trim them if needed.
If you want to dive deeper into the pros and cons of solid core versus hollow core doors and how material impacts performance, the Home Depot Interior Door Buying Guide offers valuable insights.
Explore additional door features
It’s the little things that can really make a difference, isn’t it? Here are a few features you might want to consider for your interior doors:
- Keeping the Noise Down: Soundproof Doors. Specifically designed to minimise sound travelling between rooms.
- Gentle Closing: Soft-Close Mechanisms. These stop doors from slamming shut – a real bonus if you have little ones or just prefer a bit of peace and quiet.
- Pet-Friendly Solutions: Pet Entryways. Little flaps built into the door so your furry friends can come and go as they please.
- Safety First: Fire-Rated Doors. These are designed to slow down the spread of fire, giving you extra time in an emergency.
- Simplified Installation: Prehung Doors. These come already fitted into a frame, which can make installation much easier.
Who Makes the Best Interior Doors（Top 17 Brands）
Now, let’s talk about who’s actually making these doors. There are loads of fantastic manufacturers out there. Here are a few that pop up across the sources, with a bit of a nod to their specialities and where they’re based:
Therma-tru-doors (USA)
Available at Therma-tru-doors, offering a wide variety of interior door choices with lots of customisation options.
JELD-WEN (USA)
A big name in windows and doors, offering various interior door styles and collections. They are generally considered good value and are a major manufacturer globally.
METVIN
A major supplier of wood and composite mouldings and interior doors in North America, aiming for cohesive design. They also focus on sustainability.
Milgard (USA)
Specialising in high-quality windows and doors, including interior options with an emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Grandsea (China)
Known for quality interior doors with rigorous testing and a wide range of designs, including invisible, exterior and sliding doors.
Woodgrain Doors (USA)
Focuses on stile and rail doors and MDF options known for stability.
Simpson Door Company (USA)
Renowned for high-quality wood doors for both interior and exterior use, with diverse styles and customisation.
TruStile Doors (USA)
Specialises in MDF doors with wood strips for hinges, known for their quality and paintability. They were acquired by Marvin.
PLANET (China)
A leading custom kitchen manufacturer that has expanded to include interior doors with extensive customisation.
Masonite International (USA)
A top manufacturer offering quality and cutting-edge designs, focusing on high-performing doors. They are considered a major door manufacturer.
Pella Corp. (USA)
Specialises in patio doors but also offers interior door options with innovative approaches.
CBW Doors (USA)
A premium manufacturer in Los Angeles offering custom doors from various materials.
Milliken Millwork (USA)
Offers a large selection of fiberglass, steel, and wood interior doors.
Portes ID Doors (Canada)
Focuses on the North American market, offering a range of interior doors with an emphasis on quality and design.
Lynden Door (USA)
Specialises in interior doors for residential and commercial applications with customisation options.
Rogue Valley Door (USA)
A premier manufacturer of handcrafted all-wood interior and exterior doors with custom designs.
Plastpro Inc. (USA)
Renowned for innovative fiberglass door technology, also offering interior options.
Where to buy quality interior doors
You have several options for finding the ideal door:
- Home improvement stores: Home Depot, Lowe’s usually offer a good selection of standard interior doors.
- Lumber markets and building material suppliers: These places may offer a wider selection of materials and professional advice.
- Online retailers: Today, door and window brands sell door products for convenience, but be sure to check the delivery and return policies. Some large brands also have local dealers or stores that can help you find the exact product
- Buy directly from the manufacturer: If you need customized options and are on a budget, consider buying from a large door and window manufacturer in China, such as Grandsea. Buying interior doors from China has become a preferred choice for many homeowners, and you can get high-quality door and window products at very attractive prices. Shipping and customs clearance are not a problem either.
Installation and Maintenance for Long-Term Performance
Once you’ve chosen your lovely new door, you’ll need to get it fitted. You can have a go yourself if you’re feeling handy, especially with prehung doors which are generally easier to install. Or you can always call in a professional. To keep your doors looking and working their best, give them a clean every now and then, and make sure you check the hinges and other hardware regularly, tightening any loose screws and giving them a little lubrication if they start to squeak.
Current Trends in Interior Door Design
Finally, let’s have a quick look at what’s currently in vogue when it comes to interior doors:
- Black Doors: A bold and stylish choice that adds a touch of sophistication.
- Natural Wood Doors: Showing off the beauty of the wood grain is really popular.
- Hidden Doors (Flush Doors with Hidden Hardware): Creating a super sleek and seamless look.
- Sliding Doors (including Barn Doors): Still a firm favourite for saving space and adding a bit of character.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: More and more people are looking for doors made from sustainable resources.
- DIY Door Kits: Offering a more affordable way to upgrade your interior doors.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Spending time on door shopping is a critical part of making your home feel more welcoming, both in terms of functionality and appearance. Take the time to consider what you need, what style you prefer, and your budget. By understanding the different door types, materials, and features, and referencing products from some well-known manufacturers, you can confidently choose doors that will give you years of satisfaction.
Whether you are after a clever space-saving pocket door or the classic elegance of a wood panel door, Grandsea, an interior door manufacturer in China, will provide you with the perfect interior door that will benefit you in daily use.
