Internal Doors Buying Guide

Often overlooked, internal doors add the finishing touch to any room. When finding the perfect internal door for your home, you should consider the style and age of your home, as well as your skirting and mouldings. These factors are often a great starting point when it comes to choosing a door; however, there are other important factors to consider when designing your dream entryway. From draught-proofing to colour-matching, read on and discover our top internal door tips.

Material composition

Styles

Door composition

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an internal door for any room in your home is its composition. Doors are usually categorised as one of two compositions: hollow core doors and solid core doors.

Hollow core doors

Hollow core doors are usually assembled using a honeycomb structure of plastic or cardboard to create a sturdy, yet lightweight surface. These doors are finished with a high-quality layer of wood which can be smooth or textured to provide a multitude of finishes. Hollow core doors are a simple, affordable product compared to more premium options, making them perfect for low-traffic areas such as closets where durability may be less of a concern.

Advantages

Lightweight
Cost-effective
Easy to hang

Disadvantages

Offer minimal noise reduction or soundproofing
Susceptible to dents and scratches
Poor thermal insulation

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Solid core doors

Solid core doors are the perfect middle ground between the lightweight ease of hollow core doors and the sturdiness of wooden doors. Typically comprised of HDF or particle board, these doors are finished with high quality materials to either emulate the look of oak or pine, or durable laminate or MDF for a smooth finish.

Advantages

Improved strength and durability
Excellent soundproofing
Minimised heat transfer, trapping heat in

Disadvantages

Heavier build can make solid core doors harder to install
Less cost-effective with a higher price point
Can be harder to repair structural damage

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Types of Internal Door

Once you’ve decided on the composition of your door, your next decision is choosing the perfect style. When choosing your internal door, you should consider the existing architecture within your home as well as the other design choices you’ve made in your space.

Panel Doors

When many people begin thinking of the internal doors they want for their home, their first thought is often of a panel door. From shaker doors which have the same timeless framed design as shaker-style kitchen cabinets, to single, four, and six panel doors which offer a range of designs, panel doors fit right in as part of a traditional or modern interior.

Internal Doors for a Modern Finish

For a more contemporary finish for your space, single panel doors offer minimalist sophistication. These are also available with a glass panel to bring an inviting light into your space. Modern homes can also benefit from more classic door styles, with cottage doors and 5 panel doors offering warming visual interest whilst standing out in contemporary settings.

Classic Styles and Traditional Internal Doors

Traditional and 4 panel doors are a staple of many enduring interior design trends, with their natural appearance the perfect canvas for the warm tones of timeless wooden patterns. The best doors for traditional spaces prioritise balance with symmetrical designs which complement the rest of your furniture.

Many of these classic internal doors are comprised of solid wood as the graining and texture is the perfect finish for any home.

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Cottage doors

Shaker doors

Single panel doors

3 panel doors

4 panel doors

5 panel doors

6 panel doors

Traditional doors

More Door Finishes and Designs

Internal doors aren’t just categorised by the number of panels; their colour and design are also vital factors to consider when choosing a door for your home. It’s important that you make sure your new door fits in your home, whether that’s in terms of its finish or functionality.

Functional Internal Door Designs

When choosing an internal door for your home, you aren’t limited to a simple design flung open with hinges, there are a vast range of doors to choose from. French internal doors allow for natural light to enter your home as these doors divide rooms to create an elegant flow between spaces. French doors are perfect for adding sophistication to spaces which demand more than a simple door design. Internal Bi-fold doors slide together to create a flow between rooms, even when space is limited. While often thought to be more of an external door solution, bi-fold doors are available in a variety of finishes to complement any interior. Pocket doors are the ultimate space-saving door design. They seamlessly slide into your wall to create a stunning architectural effect which maximises room whilst maintaining privacy and flow.

Colours and Finishes to Match Any Interior

Your internal doors are an important accompaniment to the furniture in your space, meaning you should find a door which works with the rest of your home’s décor. This often comes down to choosing the perfect colour and finish. White or black internal doors offer neutral tones, much like traditional wooden designs, whilst being better suited to a wider range of interiors. Whether you want a white door to seamlessly blend in with your wall paint, or a black door to serve as a striking gateway into a modern kitchen, the colour of your door should reflect the rest of the space. Glazed internal doors allow for light to spread across your home whilst maintaining privacy when the door is closed. Flush internal doors are a sleek and stylish choice, perfect for modern homes, offering versatility whether you’re looking for a subtle white finish or a more natural wooden colour.

Internal Fire Doors

With any aspect of your home, safety will always be one of the biggest priorities. Fire doors provide peace of mind without compromising on style. These doors are specifically engineered to meet safety standards and keep your family safe.

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Oak veneer doors

White doors

Pine doors

Fire doors

Glazed doors

Bi-fold doors

French doors

Flush doors

Don't Forget about Door Hardware

Your entryway project is more than just the door itself and choosing the right hardware for your internal door can be crucial in bringing your style to life. From door handles all the way through to that final coat of varnish or paint, we've got you covered.

Door handles

Whether it’s a knob, lever or handle, every door needs that final finishing touch. You can choose from polished brass knobs for a touch of sophistication to chrome to matt black handles for a sleek, modern finish, and everything in between. You can either match your handles across all your internal doors or switch it up and choose a style to match the unique feel of each room.

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Door hinges

When hanging your new door, you may already have a door frame equipped with hinges. However, if you’re opting for a heavier internal door, or swapping to a new colour, you should swap your hinges out for something more suitable. Why not match your hinges with the rest of your door hardware for a cohesive finish.

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Door frames

If your new door is part of a wider home improvement project, you may want to give your door frames a refresh too. A new frame can make your new door installation simple, guaranteeing that it will fit and suit your space.

Don’t stress if your frame and door don’t quite line up, many of our internal doors are trimmable, meaning they can be taken in to fit smaller frames or linings.

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Draught excluders

If you’ve opted for a hollow core door and are concerned about heat transfer in colder months, a draught excluder is a great way to maintain room temperature. By covering the gap at the bottom of your door, draught excluders keep heat trapped in rooms, meaning you can get more from your heating each winter.

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More ways to complete the project

Door knobs

Varnish

Sealants

Bathroom handles

How to guides

Choosing your new internal door is usually the first step in completing your latest piece of entranceway DIY. Our handy guides will help you install and fix any door issues.