When choosing interior doors, rarely does anyone question their quality. For most buyers, the first priority is the appearance of the canvas. However, in addition to aesthetics, they perform many other functions. With their help, the space of the apartment is zoned, they ensure silence and comfort in the room. To understand which interior doors are best to choose for an apartment, be sure to read the information presented in this article.
Interior doors are not an excess, but a way to isolate functional areas in a room from each other.
What are interior doors?
Every house has interior doors. The only exceptions can be apartments with an open plan, studio apartments, which are a single space.
Interior door leaves perform several functions:
- Protective. They prevent excess light, sound, smell, and dust from entering the room;
- Dividing. The canvas separates the rooms from each other, thereby creating a comfortable environment;
- Aesthetic. The door is the first thing that catches your eye.
Which doors are best placed in rooms depends on the purpose of these rooms.
Important! The partition will not be able to fully perform its functions if it is installed incorrectly. Professional installation is the key to the longevity of any door leaf.
Design features of interior doors
All door designs, although a huge variety of options have been developed, can be divided into three groups.
First group. Doors are hinged. The movement of the sash is provided in a circle, the center of which is the axes of the hinges.
Second group. Sliding doors. The sash moves along guides - parallel to the wall.
Third group. Folding doors. The door leaf being closed folds, then the passage is cleared.
Hinged doors
Regular swing interior door
Such designs are widespread and ubiquitous; they are traditional, the most familiar. The canvas is hung using a hinged principle in the door frame, that is, movable hinges are used. They form the axis of rotation of the door leaf. This is what characterizes such doors.
- The design is simple.
- Such systems are installed without difficulty.
- The closed opening is well sealed.
- Provides excellent sound insulation.
- Such doors prevent heat from escaping from the room.
However, one drawback is still worth noting. In order for the door to open, you need to provide such a door with a certain free space. And if the conditions are cramped (for example, furniture is installed near the doorway or the corridor is too narrow), then even the most premium swing door will seem extremely inconvenient.
Division of swing doors into types
The first variety. Ordinary doors. There are either one canvas or two. The canvases open only in a certain direction.
To understand: let’s say the door opens forward, namely to the right side of the person. This means this is the “right” door. But it can also open the other way around.
The second variety. Swinging (pendulum) doors. The hinges function in such a way that the door leaves can open in any direction - both away from themselves and towards themselves. Typically, the doors are designed with closers, which helps the doors close on their own.
Pendulum door
But in apartments such doors can rarely be found. The designated structures are considered not entirely suitable for home conditions, since when closed the canvas is not able to provide a guaranteed seal.
These doors are usually installed:
- in shops;
- in institutions;
- in station buildings;
- at metro stations.
Variety three. "Stable" doors. The name itself suggests that such door structures were once installed in stables and cattle pens.
"Stable" doors
Here the door leaf is divided into two halves, independent of each other. Each of the two canvases has:
- loops;
- locks.
Now such doors can be installed in a child’s room so that the baby does not leave the room and does not interfere with the housewife doing household chores.
Sliding doors
Interior sliding doors
Another name for them is “compartment doors”. Their creators point out the constructive analogy of such door structures with those installed in railway compartment cars. The canvas can:
- move along the guides along the wall;
- completely hide in the false wall.
It is not possible to install such doors everywhere. Their installation is usually planned at the stage of general construction or finishing works. In the second case, the doors can be installed on external guides, which are located:
- only from below;
- only from above;
- both above and below at the same time.
For such doors, special fittings are selected in the form of:
- rails;
- rollers;
- stops;
- latches;
- locks
Sliding door guides
It is unlikely that you will be able to install such a structure yourself without making mistakes. So it is better to hire responsible specialists.
The undeniable advantage of this system is the significant space savings. This benefit becomes obvious if the room is cramped. Therefore, such doors are often installed in bathrooms and bathrooms, if you have to go out into a narrow corridor.
Among the shortcomings, the most significant is the vulnerability of the mechanisms. It is enough for a foreign object to get into the system of rails and rollers or for dirt to accumulate, and this door will immediately stop opening normally. In addition, the mutual fit of the door leaf and the door jamb is not tight enough here.
Folding doors
Book-shaped folding doors
Such original designs allow, for example, to block doorways, even if their width is non-standard. The canvas is divided into vertical fragments, they are hinged together. Each fragment has upper and lower support rollers, as well as bearings. These elements facilitate easy movement of the system along the guide rails.
A different number of sections is used. The minimum number of leaves is two, then the door folds in half like a book. But there can be many sections, in this case the width of each is small - 10-15 cm. When the door opens, these segments form an “accordion” and are retracted to the edge of the opening.
Such doors look quite original, and they also effectively save useful space. And sometimes, if such a design is conceived, the doorway is designed with a curved configuration. For example, in an arc.
Among the shortcomings, the minor “closing qualities” stand out. In other words, the door leaf is pressed very weakly against the door frame.
Prices for interior doors
Technical characteristics of interior doors for apartments and houses
The choice should be made based on the technical characteristics of the canvas. The service life of the product, its appearance, and performance characteristics will depend on their correct selection.
Types of doors by leaf design
The most basic technical parameter is the type of construction. This parameter mainly affects the external design of the model. Today there are four types of paintings:
- Shield ones.
- Paneled.
- Tsargovye.
- Molded.
Panel
The simplest type. Panel boards are made from a single sheet of material or in the form of a “sandwich”. Despite the simplicity of the design, these models can have a very attractive design.
The panel door is the most common type of door structure.
Paneled
They are prefabricated models. These doors are based on a frame and crossbars. The space between the frame and the crossbars is filled with panels. The role of panels can be performed by various materials: MDF panels, glass, metal.
Doors with panels look beautiful, stylish and do not depend on fashion trends.
Tsargovye
This type is one of the most popular today. These doors have a transverse design. They consist of transverse strips and racks. This design makes the fabric more rigid, reliable, and durable.
Interior sliding doors are actively used in the interior of apartments and large houses.
Moldings
This type has the same structure throughout the entire canvas. An example would be glass doors with molded mullions on the sides. Such structures are distinguished by their heavy weight and interesting design.
Molded products include several components, each of which performs its own function.
What material are doors made of?
Interior door leaves are made from two types of materials:
- natural;
- artificial.
Solid wood
Such designs deserve special attention. Solid wood products can last a long time, they meet all environmental safety requirements, have an attractive appearance, and are of very high quality.
Interior doors made of solid wood have predominantly natural colors and shades.
Made from artificial materials
The most popular artificial materials for manufacturing are glass, MDF, and metal-plastic. Glass is usually used only as an insert. However, there are completely transparent models. The latter are often used in office spaces. Only special glass is used to make doors. It is very durable and does not form sharp corners when broken.
MDF doors are a modern, high-quality and affordable solution for the home.
MDF is an excellent alternative to expensive wood. This material lasts a long time, is resistant to aggressive moisture, and has an attractive design. Metal-plastic is a modern, practical material. Its main advantage is resistance to moisture. Such door leaves are installed on balconies and in plumbing units.
Types of exterior door finishes
Interior doors can have different exterior finishes. The canvas is covered with PVC or polypropylene film, lined with laminate, eco-veneer or painted. The appearance of the canvas will depend on the quality of the exterior finishing. To know how to choose a high-quality model of interior doors, you need to become more familiar with the types of exterior finishes and their characteristics.
PVC film
This type of exterior finishing is used in budget models. They are a canvas covered with a special decorative film. PVC film perfectly follows all the contours of the door frame. It protects the canvas from moisture and improves its appearance.
Interior door blocks made of PVC are doors finished with a special film.
Polypropylene films
Polypropylene film has a thickness of 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters. This type of exterior finish has excellent protective properties and a more realistic appearance. At the same time, the film is absolutely safe for human health.
Polypropylene is a multilayer coating (film) that is applied to the surface of interior doors and their components.
Laminate
Interior doors covered with laminate have a lot of advantages: high quality, long service life, resistance to moisture. In terms of external parameters, they are in no way inferior to products made from solid wood.
Laminate interior doors are one of the most popular choices.
Eco-veneer
Budget models of interior doors are lined with eco-veneer. Typically, this material is used in the production of panel types. Models finished with eco-veneer are highly environmentally friendly. The disadvantage of veneer is its susceptibility to moisture.
Eco-veneer is an inexpensive alternative to natural wood.
Painted
To give an attractive appearance, wood door panels can be coated with regular paint. This type of exterior finishing is used in the manufacture of cheap models.
Interior doors can be painted using different materials: paint, varnish.
By opening method
You should not buy an interior door without familiarizing yourself with all the available opening and closing methods. According to the method of movement of the doors, models are divided into swing, sliding, folding, swinging.
Swing
This is a classic design. These doors are installed on regular hinges. The advantage of swing models is their simplicity. The simpler the design, the longer and more reliable it will serve.
In a classic style, hinged interior doors fit harmoniously into the decor.
Sliding
If the room is small, it is recommended to install sliding models. In this case, the canvas moves on special rollers and does not require much space for opening.
The currently popular sliding interior doors allow you to create an unusual atmosphere in any room.
Folding
This is an excellent option for non-standard, large doorways. Folding products look like an accordion and consist of several sections. The advantages of such designs:
- unusual design;
- a light weight;
- compactness.
A folding interior door allows you to ergonomically organize space in a small apartment.
Rocking canvas
This system allows you to open the canvas both inside and outside. Swing doors have an unusual appearance, but many operational shortcomings. For example, they have low tightness and require a lot of free space.
Swinging interior doors are an excellent solution for any interior.
Variety of sizes
One of the important technical parameters is size. It can be standard or non-standard. The most common standard sizes: 1900 by 500 or 600 millimeters, 2000 by 800, 900 millimeters. If the doorway does not meet the standard, then the interior doors are made to order according to individual measurements.
Note! Only a professional should take measurements from a non-standard doorway. Even the slightest error in size can lead to fatal consequences.
Color scheme and texture
To choose the ideal doors for your home, you need to choose the right texture and color scheme. These parameters must fully correspond to the chosen style direction. Thus, products in dark shades with a wooden texture will fit perfectly into the classic design. For a room in a minimalist style, glass or white door panels are perfect.
White interior doors are a universal solution.
Additional door elements
An interior door consists of more than just the door leaf. It includes a door frame, an extension, a platband, a capital, and a cornice. All these elements must be of high quality.
Interior doors can be not only a functional unit, but also a decorative element of the interior.
Door frame
This element is usually made of the same material as the canvas itself. We are talking about the outer covering. The base of the box may differ. It can be homogeneous or combined. Homogeneous consists of one material, combined - from MDF and chipboard, plywood or solid wood. The combination box is considered more reliable.
The door frame is an important element in the installation of interior doors.
Extension and platband
If the door frame is less than the thickness of the wall, then you should purchase an extension - a strip of the missing width. It must be made of the same material as the other elements.
To tidy up the doorway, make it aesthetically pleasing and airtight, door trims and trims are used.
Platbands perform a decorative function. They cover all the unsightly elements of the frame, making the door block look presentable. The platbands, like the extensions, must match the color and texture of the main canvas.
Capital and cornice
You can additionally decorate the entrance opening using a capital or cornice. These decorative elements can have different sizes and shapes. The main thing is that they must perfectly match the overall chosen design.
Capitals may or may not be equipped with a cornice.
Methods for opening interior doors
It is possible to open the doors using different methods - it depends on how the door is attached to the frame. The opening mechanism can be swing, swing, sliding or folding. Canvases can transmit noise in different ways and provide insulation to a space.
Swing doors
When installing door panels, an option known to many people is used. The canvases are attached to hinges, and a lock is installed on the other side. A threshold is provided for noise protection. When closed, these doors isolate individual rooms. If it is necessary to ensure greater tightness, silicone or rubber is used as a sealant on the canvas.
Of course, swing doors are very reliable and have a long service life, but opening them requires free space.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors in the interior are convenient and practical. You can choose them for a small apartment. You need to place the canvas along guides relative to the wall, and their movement is ensured by moving on rollers. It is recommended to install a sliding structure to divide one room into separate sections.
Such doors are popular for modern styles and resemble the principle of sliding doors.
Folding doors
The opening of this type of door is ensured by assembling parts of the leaf into an accordion, which are connected on hinges. To lighten the weight of the structure, the panel panels are made of plywood or glass. This door option is suitable for both a spacious living room and small rooms.
It is recommended to choose this model for small areas, and its installation is best left to professionals.
Rocking models
The opening principle is similar to the swing type. But the main distinguishing feature of such doors is that they can open in different directions. In this case, noise insulation, of course, is not provided, but swinging models are practical to use, are, as a rule, light in weight, easy to open and look unusual.
What types of doors have the best sound insulation?
One of the functions of interior doors is to dampen extraneous sounds. Folding, sliding models cope with this function worst of all. The best way to insulate a room from sound is with panel boards, whose internal volume is filled with cardboard laid using the honeycomb method.
Soundproofing interior doors will allow you to achieve maximum comfort in your home.
How to choose the right quality interior doors
To buy good interior doors, follow these tips:
- Don't skimp on your purchase! High-quality canvases cannot be cheap;
- Pay attention to the material of manufacture. It must be resistant to moisture and mechanical damage, have an excellent appearance;
- Consider the features of the room. If you need doors for the bathroom, moisture-resistant models made of metal-plastic or glass are suitable. For living rooms, it is better to choose products made from natural wood. If the apartment is small, give preference to folding and sliding models.
What determines the choice of interior doors?
It is important for people doing renovations to understand which interior doors are best to choose for an apartment. The selection is influenced by the following factors:
- price – it’s worth determining your budget (a solid wood product is more expensive, MDF or chipboard is cheaper);
- manufacturing material – wood, metal with glass, combined products;
- design – unified harmony of the product with the interior;
- type of design - to make it convenient to enter the room;
- color;
- manufacturer.
What material is used for manufacturing
Buying carpentry products is not so easy: you need to take into account the materials in the selection. How to choose interior doors for an apartment based on the material they are made of, because the appearance, quality of the product, and ability to withstand deformation depend on this? The main materials are:
- solid wood;
- type-setting wood;
- MDF - fiber boards, a type of masonite;
- pressed lightweight frame cardboard in the shape of a honeycomb;
- Chipboard, fibreboard;
- glass with or without spraying, painting.
There are combined doors with inclusions of plastic, metal, glass, but the most valuable models are those made from solid wood. The material is strong, durable, but at the same time the most expensive in price. In budget options, it is better to give preference to laminated veneer lumber, which includes several layers of well-dried wood sheets glued with different fiber directions to prevent deformation.
The inlaid canvas is made from poplar and pine bars, covered with natural or artificial veneer: this gives the structure an excellent appearance and high performance characteristics. MDF is also no different in strength, because due to special processing, wood chips cling well to each other, which prevents deformation of the canvas.
Which interior doors to choose – laminated or veneered? Laminate is made from paper and impregnated with synthetic resins, which gives the product with its coating strength and resistance to mechanical damage. Veneer is a layer of wood up to 1 mm thick, it can be artificial or natural, it is inexpensive, retains its brightness, and is durable.
- Inhalations for children: use and dosage
- How to start losing weight at home
- Apple cider vinegar benefits and harms for the human body
There are other types of coatings available in stores:
- varnish - it is used to cover a solid door array to give durability;
- enamel - applied over MDF or chipboard;
- PVC film - resistant to scratches, dents, changes in heat and moisture, cheap in price, but varied in quality and design.
How to choose the right size interior doors for an apartment
Having selected the material and coating, you need to take measurements of the frame and determine the size of future doors. In addition to the size, it is worth knowing the weight, which is an important factor in ease of use. If the sizes are standard, then the product can be bought in an online store, and if it is non-standard, it can be ordered from a factory from a catalog. A standard interior door has the following characteristics: height 2000 mm, width 600-900 for single-leaf and 1000-1800 mm for double-leaf.
To understand the size of the door, it is worth knowing its parameters with the frame, whose thickness is 15-45 mm. This means that you need to add the value of the doubled parameter to the opening for installing the canvas. When measuring height, the presence of a threshold must be taken into account. It can be difficult to indicate the height and width on boxes produced by European manufacturers in modules: for example, M21 is a height of 2100 mm.
How to choose good door hardware
High-quality door hardware does not have external defects: cracks, gouges, scratches. It is made of durable material. Good fittings are expensive, but they can significantly extend the service life of the door.
When purchasing interior doors, it is very important to pay attention to the choice of fittings.
Doors for the interior in a certain style
Doors should be matched to the same style as the interior to ensure the integrity of the design. To create coziness, canvases are selected that have certain characteristic features that correspond to a certain style. Let's look at a few common options.
Classic
Clear contours, strict lines, emphasizing forms at the same time as elegance - these are the most important distinctive features of such doors. The canvases are made from different types of wood, the upper and lower parts are separated by panels, there may be stucco molding and carvings. If there is glass on the canvas, the bottom is usually made blank. The main purpose of doors is reliable sound insulation and heat retention.
Related article: Decorating interior doors - an original approach to interior decoration
Baroque
Such doors are especially luxurious, wherever this direction goes. They decorate palaces and special rooms for meetings of government representatives. To decorate a corridor, the shape of an arch at the top is often used. Exquisite fittings, gilded carvings, rich colors, graceful contours - all this gives a special flavor and fills the space with luxury.
Modern
Such doors fit perfectly into both modern and classic interiors. They are distinguished by the presence of smooth curved lines and unusual carvings. There are often inserts made of frosted or transparent glass; elements with stained glass painting look especially good.
Eco style
Eco-style canvases are made mainly from natural materials, most often wood. They are distinguished by a simple design, the absence of elaborate decorative elements, and a modest color scheme. It is possible to make a hidden fabric.
Rating of interior doors by quality
According to the latest ratings, BELWOODDOORS are recognized as the highest quality interior doors. This model does not require special care, has an affordable price, and is resistant to various types of damage. In second place is CABINETRY. They do not creak, are easy to clean, and have an attractive design. The third place is occupied by the VERDA model. Its main advantage is environmental friendliness.
Verda wooden interior doors are manufactured using modern European equipment.
