When it comes to interior doors, it’s easy for homeowners to overlook this standard necessity in planning their overall design. But these crucial components serve as more than just room dividers and privacy barriers. With the right style and finish, interior doors can enhance the look of every room in the house.

The basics
When shopping for interior doors, it’s important to know what is available on the showroom floor. First, doors generally come in three types: hollow-core, solid-core and solid wood. Because there is no inner core, hollow-core doors are light and easy to maneuver. They come in two surface styles, smooth and molded. The molded surface usually has a textured appearance that resembles a wood finish once painted. Although these doors appear to be solid wood, keep in mind they do not hold up like solid wood. “If you hit the center of a hollow door, it leaves a hole,” says Dan Weidmann, CR, president of Weidmann & Associates Inc., a design/build remodeling company in Roswell.

Solid-core doors have the look and feel of solid wood, but unlike solid wood, the door contains a wood-fiber core. These doors provide a bit more sound and fire protection than hollow-core doors, and they hold up better over the long run.

Finally, solid wood doors offer the best soundproof protection and are very stable. “Solid is heavier and less subject to damage,” Weidmann says. Also, they can be painted or stained to match a home’s decor. Rocky Burt, general sales manager for Randall Brothers Inc. in Atlanta, says they also work well for special applications, such as for climate control on a wine cellar. However, wood does swell and shrink over time due to humidity changes, so make sure to take this into consideration during installation.

Choosing the right style
In addition to different structural types, interior doors also come in a variety of styles. These include two- and six-panel doors, louvered doors, pocket doors, French doors, bypass doors, and bi-fold doors.

The most common of these are the two- and six-panel doors. “We have a very traditional market in Atlanta,” Weidmann says. “The six-panel is more consistent with the architecture here. Two-panel doors are common in homes built in the ’20s and ’30s.”

Louvered doors are comprised of a series of slats, which permit airflow. These are great for rooms requiring ventilation, such as closets and mechanical rooms.

Pocket doors slide back into a slot built into the wall, perfect for spaces that won’t accommodate a hinged door.

French doors are comprised of two doors, usually with glass panes, containing anywhere from one pane to several panes. “We see a lot of French doors as room dividers and for transition,” Burt says. They also allow light to a room while providing a measure of sound protection and privacy. Weidmann says these work especially well for home offices and for separating rooms in a basement.

Bypass doors are lightweight sliding doors that pass one another on a track. Usually, they are used on closets.

Folding or bi-fold doors work well on spaces with limited space and access, such as on a linen closet or in a small bathroom. They can have panels or louvers.

Dressing up your doors
Most doors can be painted or stained. “The majority of the market has gone to paint-grade interior doors,” Burt says. “There are some stain-grade doors for special applications, such as a library door.” In most cases, Weidmann says, doors are painted to match the surrounding trim.

Some doors, such as bypass doors on a closet, can be covered with mirrors. This works well to give the appearance of additional space to a small room.
Another way to incorporate doors as part your decor is with hardware, the hinges and handles on the door. “Hardware is a great way to dress up a door at minimal cost,” Weidmann says. “It’s the key in making a dramatic change.”
Regarding current trends, Burt says rustic finishes on hardware are very popular right now.

Adding applied moldings also can spruce up your doors. “It provides two levels of depth to the door,” Burt says. “It adds contour.”

Making the choice
When selecting your interior doors, keep these considerations in mind. First, is it appropriate for the style of house? It should be consistent with the architecture and decor of the home. The doors shouldn’t be too ornate or too plain. Also, make sure the front doors complement, but not necessarily match, the interior doors. “They should be the same scale and quality,” Burt says.

Second, ask yourself a few questions. What is the function of the door? Providing privacy? Soundproofing? Creating ventilation? Covering up storage space? These factors can help determine which door is appropriate.
On the other hand, if the door is always open or rarely closed, you may opt for something like a pocket door, which can be hidden away until needed.

Third, unless money is no object, pay attention to cost. You may have to sacrifice some options to accommodate your pocketbook. However, this doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on style. “You can get a custom-made look from a manufactured composite door,” Burt says. Weidmann says he sees a lot of homeowners opting for solid doors in the main living areas of the home and going with hollow doors on the second floor and/or in the bedroom areas that are not seen as frequently by guests.

Choosing the right interior doors for your home is no easy task, but it doesn’t have to be difficult, either. Do some pre-shopping research, visit a few showrooms to see what’s available, plan your budget and take your time making selections. In the end, you’ll find the perfect match for your home.