How to choose interior doors: recommendations and practical advice

Veneer

Veneer is a thin layer of natural wood coated with varnish. The method of its production allows you to preserve the structure of real wood, get rid of the shortcomings of the solid wood and slightly reduce the cost of the final product. According to production technology, veneer can be divided into three types:

• Sliced ​​natural veneer. The most durable - thick plates protect the canvas from damage.
• Fine-Line. This is reconstituted veneer - a thin section of softwood that has been pressed, painted and varnished. It is not very durable, but it is inexpensive.
• Multispon. These are painted wood chips that imitate the texture of wood. It is glued together with melamine resins and then varnished. It is a porous material and should be used with caution in damp areas.

Good veneer can be as expensive as solid wood. The most expensive categories include oak or ash veneer. Aspen, maple and poplar will cost a little less. Fine Line and multi-veneer are the most budget options.

Pros:

• The structure of natural wood is preserved.
• Interior doors made of veneer are easy to restore - just update the varnish.

Minuses:

• Low sound insulation and moisture resistance.

Eco-veneer

Eco-veneer is a polymer film that imitates natural veneer. Its main advantage is the price. Compared to natural analogues, such canvases are two to three times cheaper.

Pros:

• Doors made of eco-veneer can be more durable: the coating is applied without an edge - that is, the door is sealed, as it were, which means that moisture and dirt cannot penetrate inside the panel.

Minuses:

• Inexpensive options do not look like real wood.
• It is difficult to restore damage, because if there are chips or scratches of more than two millimeters, the entire coating will have to be replaced.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is an elastic film that can be given any color and texture. For example, wood, leather and even silk. The film can be matte or glossy.

PVC is glued under pressure to the array or to individual parts, such as drawers. Such doors are slightly more expensive than laminated ones, but cheaper than veneered ones.

Pros:

• Large selection of colors and designs.
• Moisture resistance.
• Affordable price.

Minuses:

• The coating cannot be repaired - in case of minor damage, you can spot-cover small scratches and glue the film. But for large cracks and chips, the entire canvas will need to be replaced.
• Low sound insulation.
• Fear of moisture. If the film is not glued as a single piece, then in damp rooms it can peel off from the canvas at the corners.

MDF

MDF is compressed and glued sawdust that is painted and covered with veneer or film. For the internal filling of such doors, corrugated cardboard or shield is used.

Pros:

• MDF doors are relatively inexpensive, but they withstand changes in temperature and dampness well. They can be installed in rooms even with a humidity level of 80%.

Minuses:

• Poor sound insulation.

Chipboard

Chipboard is also made from sawdust, only larger ones. They are mixed with an adhesive and then pressed. And it is the type of composition that determines how moisture-resistant the resulting fabric will be.

Maxim Kotyrev door installation master

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Chipboard is a natural material, but with an adhesive base. Therefore, you need to look at what this basis is. The manufacturer can use acrylic or alkyd compounds. The former repel moisture, the latter allow moisture to pass through.

When making doors from chipboard, a minimum amount of solid wood is used. As a rule, the block is placed only at the edges of the canvas, and the internal space is filled with cardboard honeycombs. The door itself is laminated or covered on the outside with PVC film.

Pros:

• If the correct adhesive composition is used - acrylic, then the doors are quite moisture resistant.

Minuses:

• Dents on the canvas cannot be straightened out, so the door cannot be repaired.
• The canvas is fragile and allows sound to pass through.

Glass

This option is best suited if you want to visually enlarge the space and add more “air” to the room.

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing is durability. Triplex made of tempered glass is considered the most reliable - if damaged, it does not crumble into small fragments and does not collapse entirely.

Then you can think about the design. Glass can be frosted, with 3D prints and designs, or sandblasted.

Pros:

• The glass door is not afraid of either high humidity or temperature changes.

Minuses:

• It is difficult to keep light and sound out of such a door.
• If there are small children or animals in the house, you should be wary of this choice - after all, glass is a much more fragile material than wood.

Qualities of ideal doors

Having decided on a large-scale renovation, the owners will certainly want to replace the interior doors, and this can be a difficult task with many unknowns. Therefore, before purchasing, it is important to determine those qualities of doors that will be of paramount importance to you. Practice shows that priorities are distributed in the following order (descending):

• Design and price. Standard models will be cheaper. Ordering custom sizes and designs will cost significantly more and will take some time to complete. But the canvas, made according to an individual project, will ideally fit into the dimensions of the room and become a harmonious element of the interior.
• Quality. It consists of two components - reliability and durability and is determined by resistance to mechanical loads and minor damage. Depending on the installation location, additional characteristics may be required, such as moisture or ultraviolet resistance.

Modern design Source www.nsdoors.net

• Functionality. The door kit should be convenient and easy to use. If the model has glass parts, they should let in enough light. An important parameter is sound and heat insulation.
• Safety. It is especially important for products with glazing if there are small children or active animals in the house.
• Easy care. The ideal option is when the surface can be wiped with a damp sponge and a mild soap solution.

Practical advice - step-by-step instructions for choosing an interior door

Step 1. To avoid problems with the operation of interior doors, you need to take measurements .

Be careful when taking measurements

Note! When purchasing doors, knock on the door leaf - a ringing sound indicates that it is hollow or filled with cellular cardboard.

Step 2. An important role in choosing doors is played by the quality of the fittings - quiet clicks of locks and smooth closing indicate reliable locks, and ringing, loud mechanisms that operate with force signal the low quality of the locking elements.

Find out how to repair the door handle of a metal door with your own hands in a special article on our portal.

Types of accessories

Step 3. You can check the reliability of the canvas as follows: put your foot in the opening and gently pull the door towards you - if the frame is bent, it is better to refuse the purchase.

A weak structure can quickly be “led”

Step 4. Designs for bathrooms and kitchens require special attention - difficult operating conditions require increased resistance to humidity, high temperatures, and chemical attack.

Types of interior doors

Step 5. Additional finishing (glass, metal) increases the weight of the structure, which is why it requires reinforcement of the hinges and opening.

Pay attention to the hinges too

Step 6. When buying doors, you should not chase price at the expense of quality - replacing interior doors costs more than installing them.

Low quality doors are susceptible to mechanical damage and negative factors

Video - Selecting interior doors

Please note, you can also consider this option: Hidden interior doors for painting. In this article, we took a closer look at the main differences and features of the installation.

Correctly selected and installed interior doors will serve the owner uninterruptedly for a long time, complement and decorate the interior of the room. If it is too difficult to choose a suitable design on your own, it is better to seek advice from experts, otherwise serious problems may occur in the future.

Additional qualities

Depending on where the door is planned to be installed, the following qualities may be required from it:

• In the living room. The entrance to the living room demonstrates the style and taste of the owners, so aesthetic requirements are important. Functionality is no less important: doors should not block the passage, and in the open position they should not obscure interior items.

Timeless classic Source aviarydecor.com

• In the bedroom. The emphasis is on light and sound insulation. It’s good if there is an opportunity for privacy, for which the structure is equipped with a lock.
• In the kitchen. Moisture resistance and the ability to isolate odors come first. It is also important that the surface can withstand frequent wet cleaning.
• In the bathroom and toilet. The moisture resistance of the fabric is important here; You can't do without a lock or latch.
• In the nursery. The door leaf will require anti-vandal protection, as well as good sound insulation and safe operation.
• In the office. In addition to a solid appearance, sound insulation and the ability to lock the door from the inside and outside are important.

Functionality

Wooden doors must first of all be selected based on their purpose. Outdoor doors made of wood should ideally be made of solid wood, hinged, thick, and have increased moisture resistance. This design will protect against cold, wind, moisture, and other factors.

The requirements for doors that are used indoors are less stringent. More attention is paid to their appearance than durability.

Varieties by type of opening

The main design parameter that catches your eye is the type of opening. Swinging and sliding structures are popular in modern interiors; Folding doors are less common; pendulum (swinging) options can be considered exotic.

Different models for different rooms Source modernplace.ru

Swing

Single-leaf swing doors are a classic in home interiors. Structurally, the canvas is hung on hinges; Depending on the mounting location, right and left swing options are distinguished. When closed, the doors are adjacent to the frame, providing the necessary isolation. Simple and familiar, they have the following set of qualities:

• They are divided into single- and double-leaf. The latter look elegant and are appropriate in any interior; Most often installed in the living room.
• They are available on the market in a wide range of prices and designs.
• Thanks to their simple design, they are durable and inexpensive, including fittings (swivel hinges). There are exceptions to any rule: hidden hinges, which are extremely desirable for some interior styles, can hardly be called budget-friendly.
• Easy to install, reliably protect from sounds, drafts and odors.
• In small or narrow rooms they can be inconvenient because they require free space equal to the opening radius.

Painted swing doors Source i.pinimg.com

Sliding

Sliding doors have a stylish look and fit perfectly into most modern interiors. They can also be single- or double-leaf, and move along the wall without taking away the space in front of the opening. This space saving has a negative side - the wall along which the canvas moves must remain empty. A disadvantage is considered to be insufficient insulation, as well as the short service life of the sliding mechanism (5-7 years).

Sliding doors to the living room Source roomester.ru

Folding

Folding doors also help save space. They are presented in two design solutions. In the first case, the canvas is folded when open and positioned perpendicular to the opening. This is convenient in limited space and relatively inexpensive. Minus - the width of the opening decreases, and it becomes more difficult to carry large items.

In the second case, a more sophisticated mechanism forces the doors to fold along the wall. The design provides good insulation and the opening width is not reduced. The only drawback is the high cost of the mechanical system.

Accordion door Source dizainexpert.ru

Rotary

Pendulum (pivot-sliding, rotary) doors look impressive. The essence of rotary opening is that when opened, the door leaf rotates around its central axis, at the same time shifting to the side. The trick of the idea is that it saves space as much as possible: the door leaf remains completely in the doorway, does not rest against anything, does not interfere with anything. The second advantage is that they open in both directions, both toward you and in the direction of travel. There are also two disadvantages: reduced insulation, like sliding structures, and the cost of the rotor mechanism.

Rotary design Source profildoors-loft.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in installing windows and doors

How to choose a door set

The door set consists of five elements:

• door leaf,
• door frame,
• extras,
• platbands,
• accessories.

The door frame is what the door leaf is attached to. Its standard width is 7 cm. Since the walls in apartments are usually wider, an extension has to be mounted to the frame - a strip that serves as an intermediate link between the frame and the platbands.

The purpose of the platbands is to cover the junction of the extensions with the wall. The average width of the platband is from 60 to 100 mm.

Now manufacturers offer simpler solutions. For example, doors are installed directly on the frames and frames, and the door frame is not used at all. Another life hack is telescopic or sliding trims that are attached directly to the box.

Interior door hardware consists of hinges and handles. In rare cases, locks and closers are added to them.

Loops

There are three main types of hinges for interior doors:

• overhead butterfly loops,
• card loops,
• hidden loops.

Standard butterfly hinges are easy and cheap to install, but within a year they can sag and the fittings will have to be replaced. Therefore, craftsmen suggest giving preference to card or hidden hinges - yes, they are expensive, but beautiful and reliable.

Maxim Kotyrev door installation master

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I often come across the fact that customers purchase quite expensive doors and try to save on fittings - install butterfly hinges. In fact, they are intended for office and technical doors. Now they have begun to produce reinforced butterfly hinges, but they are still far from the class and level that a mortise or card hinge has. Therefore, during installation, the customer has to be warned that these “budget” hinges will need to be changed at least once a year.

Hinges are made from steel, brass, zinc and steel alloys. For heavy panel doors, experts recommend using powerful steel or brass hinges. Fittings made of zinc and steel alloys are better suited for relatively lightweight PVC sheets filled with corrugated cardboard.

Pens

Pens come in four main types, each with their own pros and cons.

Handles are made from brass, aluminum, zinc-aluminum alloy, stainless steel and plastic. Brass is the most expensive, but also the most durable. Aluminum ones are budget-friendly, but are designed for not very heavy doors. Handles made of inexpensive zinc-aluminum alloy, or TsAM, are the optimal solution for bathrooms, because they are not afraid of moisture. The stainless steel and plastic options are quite flimsy - this is not the best solution for such a frequently used interior detail.

Experts advise not to skimp on fittings - as a result, replacing them may cost more. In addition, by changing failed hinges and broken handles, you will violate the integrity of the canvas every time. The safety margin of any material is limited, and even the highest quality doors with poor fittings will last less.

Types of designs

One of the classification methods is to divide models into solid ones and those with a glass insert in the canvas. Blind doors made entirely of one material have several convincing advantages. They are stronger, safer and cheaper than analogues with inserts. They have also been proven to have better sound insulation: they absorb sound about 25-30% better.

Cutouts are made in the canvas of models with inserts, which are filled with parts made of glass of different types: frosted, transparent, patterned, triplex. Such a solution diversifies the choice and fills the room with light, but makes the structure less durable.

It will be easier to answer the question of how to choose interior doors if you have an idea of ​​another, more detailed classification based on design differences. According to it, doors are divided into paneled, panel, milled, molded, drawstring.

In the interior of the kitchen Source doorwarehouse.rf

Paneled structures

A standard paneled door is a stacked design with the following features:

• The basis is the frame (harness); Panels (thinner inserts) are fixed inside the frame. Sometimes glass plays the role of panels.
• Expensive samples are made entirely from solid wood. In budget options, materials are combined. The frame is made of wood and MDF; for the panels, MDF or chipboard is used. Natural veneer, laminate, and film materials are used for cladding.
• The number of panels varies depending on the specific model. Options with two (classic) or three panels are common. The model with four panels has a special name - a cross. There are specimens with ten panels, reminiscent of a chocolate bar.
• The panels and glass are fastened into grooves on the frame. There is an option for fastening using a glazing bead. If the plank has a figured profile, the design is called baguette.

With four panels Source legkovmeste.ru

• A design feature is the gaps between the panels and the frame. They are left because of the wood's ability to respond to changes in air humidity by changing its size. A rigid fastening will result in the appearance of cracks and distortions.

Paneled doors do not lose popularity because of their interesting, recognizable design. The variety of surface reliefs, glass and baguette, interesting decorative details makes such models in demand in most interior styles. It is also important that less wood is used for paneled products, which has a positive effect on their weight and cost.

Cutting methods

To cut a doorway with your own hands, you will need a tool, but you can choose it correctly after determining the method of work being carried out. The method depends on the wall material. It is not advisable to chisel and sledgehammer, as the integrity of the entire partition will be compromised. You can carefully cut the opening using diamond, laser, waterjet or oxygen cutting.

Diamond cutting

For concrete partitions, the method of diamond cutting of a doorway using a grinder or circular saw is used. The cutting element of the tool is a metal disk coated with diamond.

The diamond cutting method has many advantages:

• low level of vibration eliminates the appearance of cracks even on loose partitions;
• during the cutting process, an accurate thin cut is entrusted along the marked contour and at the desired angle;
• the noise level of a working tool does not exceed the permissible threshold specified in sanitary standards;
• a small amount of debris due to the absence of chips, which is impossible to achieve when using a hammer drill.

Among the shortcomings

highlight the costs of purchasing expensive diamond blades. During work, the concrete wall is moistened with water, but fine dust still spreads into the room.

Laser cutting

Expensive equipment is used for laser cutting of openings. Previously, it was bulky and was used only in production. Modern laser cutting equipment is compact, but its high cost and specific purpose have made it popular only among specialized repair teams. The cutting of a concrete wall is made with a laser cutter due to the gas-discharge action.

Before starting work, the parameters of the wall

:

• thickness;
• the presence of a reinforcing frame;
• passage of communications inside the partition;
• grade of reinforced concrete wall.

Additionally, the floor of the apartment building where cutting is planned is taken into account, as well as the admissibility of wetting the concrete structure with water.

Waterjet cutting

Cold cutting of an opening in a wall refers to the waterjet method. A special installation is used for work. It creates a strong stream of water at a speed of 1 thousand m/s. The liquid in the tank is mixed with abrasive particles with a diameter of about 0.4 mm. The prepared mixture is fed through a nozzle onto the reinforced concrete structure and destroys it at the point of contact. The cutting force depends on the pressure. At the maximum power of the equipment, a reinforcing frame made of steel rods is cut along with the concrete.

The waterjet cutting method has the following advantages:

• precise cutting of concrete according to markings;
• the environment is not polluted due to the absence of chemical impurities and harmful gases;
• the concrete partition is not subject to mechanical and thermal stress;
• no wall vibration;
• low noise level;
• The method allows you to cut out a section of the partition at any angle, as well as make a doorway of complex shape.

Disadvantage

is the formation of dirt, the high cost of consumables, and the large dimensions of the equipment. Waterjet cutting is used on construction sites that have not been put into operation.

Oxygen cutting

The oxygen cutting method is also called spear drilling. To cut out a doorway, a machine with a metal tube is used. Oxygen is supplied through the spear under high pressure. At the same time, the jet is heated inside the tube to a temperature of 1400°C using a gas burner. After the spear has ignited, the external heating source is turned off. When the temperature reaches 2000°C, the tube is leaned against the concrete surface and turned slightly. During cutting, you cannot move the spear away from the concrete, as it cools quickly.

The disadvantage of this method is considered to be a fire hazard, as well as the possibility of getting burned. During cutting, hot slag particles scatter throughout the room.

Material, finish and durability

The material used directly affects how long the door will last, how reliable and functional it will be, as well as the cost of the model. Models made from the following materials are common on the market:

• Tree. Natural wood (pine, alder, oak and ash) produces beautiful, strong and durable products that are ideal for housing. They are environmentally friendly, look stylish in any interior, regulate the microclimate and will last 40-50 years.
• MDF boards. A worthy alternative to natural wood. They are pressed from a mixture of fine wood chips and urea resin. The material has good performance properties: durability, environmental friendliness, variety of colors and textures.
• Chipboard boards. The material is also made by hot pressing, but is less durable than MDF and can have from one to three layers. For doors, it is recommended to use material with emission class E1 (the rest emit formaldehyde) with lining with plastic, veneer or polymer films. The slabs have very limited moisture resistance, so they are not recommended for installation in the bathroom and kitchen.

Solid wood door Source emupauto.ru

• Glass and plastic. Mainly used as a material for inserts, sometimes as a door leaf (molded models). Metal-plastic can only be found on balcony doors

Finishing is what involuntarily attracts the first attention when looking for a suitable door. Its quality not only determines the appearance, but also determines the service life of the product. On modern models you can see the following types of finishes:

• Natural veneer. The highest quality finish, almost as good as solid wood in appearance. Its use is several times cheaper than natural wood. The most expensive is considered to be natural veneer, which is a cut of wood with a preserved pattern. The budget analogue is Fine-Line veneer, with a restored pattern. The service life of a veneer door reaches 20 years.

Types of glazing Source dnk-stil.ru

Peculiarities

Some might think that the process of choosing a door for any home is the same. However, this is not at all true. Designs for apartments and country houses differ significantly in their characteristics. So, the most important thing for a door to an apartment is that it reliably protects the home from burglary. At the same time, the entrance structure in a private village house is required to properly retain heat in the house and protect the space from unfavorable external factors. Naturally, with all this its protective functions are not canceled.

In addition, it is important that the door is made of high-quality materials and does not fade over time, because the door is outdoors and exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

And the most important rule that should be remembered when installing a door in a wooden house is that you must mount the door leaf in a special frame (called a frame) or a strong metal counter-frame. The fact is that the frame of a wooden building has the ability to “shrink” and change shape. And the soil also tends to change.

If you install a door immediately after building a house, it will simply break or become warped. After all, the deformation of the frame has a direct impact on the shape of the doorway.

As already mentioned, the entrance door to a wooden house is exposed to direct sunlight, which significantly affects its appearance. To protect the structure from burning out, we recommend installing a special small canopy over the doorway. It can be made of plastic, polycarbonate, slate or aluminum. This way you will protect the canvas not only from the sun, but also from excess moisture. However, this does not mean at all that the canvas does not need to be treated with water-repellent agents.

Color and its combination with the interior

The variety of colors and textures on the market will make the most sophisticated owner think twice. It is especially difficult to make a final decision when there are several similar shades, and they all seem to fit into the design concept. If you don’t know exactly how to choose interior doors, the tips below will help you avoid common mistakes in choosing colors. The easiest way is to focus on the style of your home and keep the following recommendations in mind:

• It is advisable to choose interior doors in a single style solution, so the interior will be perceived most harmoniously. If the rooms differ in style, they are brought to a common look based on the style of the living room.
• If you don't want to match your doors by color, you can make them neutral. In this regard, white is a universal color that goes with all styles; Light cream shades are also suitable.

Interior doors in the color of the walls Source i0.wp.com

Choosing MD depending on the purpose of the room

A glazed door is suitable for the kitchen. Blind sheets are installed in bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets. In large common rooms, wide stained glass door blocks look organic. If you need to hide the view of the rooms from the corridor, then figured glass is used for transparent inserts of the panels.

Doors in the bedroom Source garofoli.com

Design

It is convenient to choose doors that are the same in design and match the style of the interior; however, they may well differ from each other in design elements, for example, glass. The following door leaf options are suitable for different styles:

• Classic. The best, time-tested option is paneled doors of different designs and with different decor; The material is solid wood and natural veneer.
• White classic. An interesting variety of veneered canvases, covered with opaque enamel in white or warm beige shades. Patina lays well on such a foundation, and doors are successfully used not only in classic interiors, but also in Provence, loft, shabby chic, and country styles.

White classic Source sibirem.ru

• Modern, modern styles. Interesting are the models with glass inserts of a smooth, rounded shape and floral ornaments made on glass.
• Scandinavian style. Models of classic shape, made in light shades, from light gray to sandy beige. Sometimes brighter colors are chosen, then the door becomes an accent of the interior.
• Modern styles. Depending on the focus, a variety of options are used: minimalistic, smooth, glossy, with large glasses, with alternating glass and wood, with glass the entire height of the canvas.

An important part of style Source m.pol-skone.cz

Scandinavian style wooden house

The interior of a Scandinavian-style log house is characterized by an abundance of light and space - an open plan, high windows, wide doorways, adjoining rooms. The main colors are light: white, cream, blue, light gray, beige, ocher, terracotta. The furnishings are laconic, practical, no unnecessary decorations, old paintings or antiques.

Main features of Scandinavian design:

• windows without heavy curtains, only with light curtains or blinds;
• furniture, flooring - white or made of light wood;
• beds and sofas - folding, with drawers;
• bright color accents - scarlet, burgundy, yellow, green - in the form of small inclusions in upholstery and cladding patterns;
• The decor contains northern and sea motifs: ornaments or ceramic figurines with fish, deer, and Christmas trees.

Briefly about the main thing

Owners of apartments and houses dream of practical interior doors that have an impeccable appearance. When choosing, you have to focus not only on the characteristics of the door structure, but also on where you plan to install the door.

The quality, design capabilities and functionality are influenced by the design of the door leaf. Hinged and sliding options are familiar and popular; folding and pendulum ones are less relevant.

Structurally, panel, panel, milled, molded and drawer models are common. They have different functionality, and such an important parameter as durability is influenced by the base material and finishing.

There are many rules that allow you to accurately select interior doors of the right color and appearance to any interior style. All of them are based on simple recommendations from practicing designers.

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For a clear overview of the types of interior doors, watch this video

Laminate

Finishing the door frame with laminate allows you to obtain a low-cost product. Door leaves have an aesthetic appearance. This is achieved by simulating the outer surface of the laminate with valuable wood species. Laminated doors owe their popularity to the low cost of production.

Laminate sheets Source dm-st.ru

The outer surface can be flat and have a complex relief configuration due to a set of panels. Laminated sheets are made with glazed openings or completely blind. Thanks to affordable prices, this type of product is in high demand among the population.

Glass

Canvases can be in the form of partially covered frames or completely filled with transparent material. In some cases, the doors are made of glass, equipped with metal hinges and overhead handles.

Glass sheets are tinted in any color and decorated with elements made from different materials. Doors can be mirrored on one side. This obstructs the view of the interior of the room from the corridor. What kinds of glass doors there are can be found on the Internet. When choosing this type of product, you need to take into account that glass is a heavy material. To install this type of MD, a solid floor base is required.

Double glass doors Source dveri365.house