There are two common interior door types used in residential construction: hollow core and solid core. Each door is constructed differently and has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Lightweight
The interior of a hollow core door is filled with a lot of space due to the honeycomb structure. This reduces the overall weight of the door. This translates to less strain on the hinges and frames, which minimizes the wear and tear of these hardware components.
Contemporary Interior Door Styles
The most sought after contemporary interior door style is the Shaker door. The shaker door most used in cabinetry, can have everything from 1 to 5+ panels but will only have a straight edge between the stile and rail.
Usually, doors that lead from interior to exterior are solid to maintain a 1-hour minimum fire wall and for insulation purposes. Since this is not ``necessary'' for interior doors it more cost effective to use hollow core. If peace and quiet is what you want, you want solid core.
When it comes to the material for internal doors, the most common options are hollow wood, fibreglass and solid wood. However, most materials are used to replicate the look and weather resistance of real wood.
Glass doors continue to be popular for their ability to enhance natural lighting and foster open, fluid transitions between different areas. This feature is especially appealing in contemporary home layouts where the flow of light and space is a priority.
Key Takeaways. Solid oak and pine doors are highly durable and long-lasting. Oak, pine, and primed doors offer a variety of visual styles to suit different interior designs. Veneer doors provide a cost-effective way to achieve the look of solid wood.
What are the Cons of Solid Core Doors? Hard to install – Solid core doors are heavy, sometimes heavier than solid wood doors, so installing one can be a two-person job.
Solid wood doors add durability, timeless beauty, and increased property value to a home. They are crafted from various wood species, allowing customization to match any interior design, and unlike hollow core doors, they offer a robust structure that enhances security and comfort.
Hollow core wood doors have an average lifespan of around 40 years, but they can last anywhere from 10 to 50 years.
Trend #1 — French doors for timeless elegance
French doors have always been a classic. Their glass panels let light flood in, instantly making rooms feel bigger and brighter. They're perfect for open-concept spaces, but still give you the option to close things off when needed.
Traditional styles can be considered more similar to maximalist styles, as traditional design focuses on rich, dark colors, floral patterns, and lots of details around the home. Modern styles focus on appealing to minimalism by emphasizing muted light colors, open spaces, and fewer details.
Modern doors are often associated with contemporary, mid-century modern, and industrial styles. They typically feature clean lines and geometric shapes, and a lack of ornamentation, and often use new materials or technology to improve functionality and durability.
Solid wood doors are the best sound-insulating doors you can buy for the interior of your house. They have a warm, natural look and come in a variety of wood species to coordinate with your furnishings. Classic wood doors have the weight you can't find in solid core or hollow core fiberglass doors.
High-density materials provide the strongest noise resistance. This means that solid wood doors naturally provide a good option for blocking sound waves because of their density. The level of soundproofing will vary depending on the type of wood, with harder woods generally performing better.
Flush, hollow core, interior doors can be the least expensive door option.
Black front doors not only made a home seem more appealing, but buyers are more likely to follow up for an in-person tour if the door is black. More Zillow research indicates a black front door is associated with the highest resale price compared to other front door colors like red and blue.
You can fill a hollow door with foam, but it requires time and some advanced installation techniques. Your best option is to invest in one or more other soundproofing options.
Your front door will be one of the first parts of your home prospective buyers will see. If they notice old, rusted door knobs, they will start to worry about what other parts of the home have been neglected. Not only will this affect the value, but will also increase the amount of time your home stays on the market.
While both hollow core and solid core doors have their own unique benefits, solid core doors offer a better investment in the long term, providing better sound insulation, improved thermal performance, and a higher quality feel.
The barrel of each hinge should extend at least 1/8” outside the surface of the door at its inside edge. For hollow core doors only 2 hinges are required; for solid core doors you will require 3 hinges.
Solid core interior doors cost between $70 and $500 whereas hollow core doors cost as low as $30 to $400–and they're DIY-friendly.
Use Molding to Create a Designer Look
Try adding some molding to your flat doors. It's easy to do and it's a great way to modernize those old doors and make them look more expensive. Not to mention that it's budget-friendly too! Simply attach molding or trim to your door with wood glue and nails.
Consider the age of your home and your skirting and mouldings: this is often a great starting point when it comes to choosing your door. It is also worth thinking about whether you need sound proofing from room to room, and whether your home is draughty.