Choosing an interior door comes with more choices than you may expect. We’ve put together a quick reference on the five questions you need to be asking before you settle on your perfect interior door.
BUDGET
Budget is always going to be the main driver behind any choice you make, your internal doors are no different. How many do you need to replace, do you already have your furniture in place? Your doors will impact the general décor of your home, so when deciding on a budget remember to factor that in for something that needs to be looked at later down the line. Remember to review door sizes, if your doorway is an uncommon size you’ll need to get custom doors made which will have a cost implication.
STYLE
It may sound obvious, but your internal doors ideally need to match the age of the property. Period properties are always going to suit doors that match the period and, unsurprisingly, panelled doors are very popular for this very reason. Your door should also complement the furnishings and décor of the room(s) in question, so if you have sleek, modern furnishings consider a flush minimalist door with sleek door furniture. Don’t forget to take into consideration the door architrave and any door furniture you’ve already purchased.
TYPE
Hollow vs solid is really dependent on the style of internal doors you’re after. A cottage door, featuring a planked-like surface and cross arms with a latch for a handle is going to be made of solid wood, ditto for many panelled door types. Hollow doors, though, have their place and are lightweight and low cost.
MATERIALS
A side-shoot of the type question, a solid door can come in a variety of different woods. Budget will help drive the answer, but wood isn’t the only choice available for your internal doors. Solid glass doors, or even metal, can look fantastic in the home. Choose your material carefully, maintenance may be required and if you’re planning to paint one surface may prove a better choice than another.
FIRE SAFETY
You may be surprised to learn that any home with more than two storeys, or with a loft conversion, is required to have fire doors on any route that leads to staircases or escape. Fire doors can be made from a variety of different materials, and can withstand fire for different periods of time, regulations may require a specific length of time depending on the door’s location. For more information on fire door requirements check out the Planning Portal
Replacing internal doors can be difficult, requiring professional skills. If you live in the Chinnor or Watlington areas, why not give us a call for your free quote.
