When it comes to our doors, they’re the things we use the most. When they’re in good condition, they’re overlooked. However, when they begin to show signs of wear and tear, we start to consider upgrading them.
As well as being vital to your security, a new door – whether that be internal or external – can make a huge difference. From first impressions to coordinating designs, choosing the right entrance ways can enhance any room around your home. In this guide you’ll get all the tips on how to pick the best door.
Considerations
Budget
How much is it all going to cost? It’s very important to make sure you set a realistic budget before buying your doors. You should factor in the cost of door furniture on top of the door; whether you might need a bespoke option; the cost of hiring someone to fit the doors and where to buy the doors. It’s always best to be prepared!
How Will Your Doors Be Fitted?
This is probably one of the most important considerations before opting for your internal doors. How will they be fitted?
If you’re using standard hinges, think carefully about which way the door will open. Usually, an internal door opens into a room but there may be reasons for doing otherwise. If you have the space, a pair of doors makes a lovely feature. If you don’t, pocket door systems are a great alternative. These are a great space-saving idea as the doors are contained within the cavity of the wall when they’re open. Another great idea is bifold doors, ideal for cupboards and ensuites where space is limited.
What Size Doors Do You Need?
Ensure you do your measurements as if you’re in an older property, it may be that you require a bespoke, tailor made door if the frames are not of a standard size. Our door size guide can help you find the right one for you.
Style
Doors fall into distinct styles themselves, so you can focus on the look that’s going to work best for you. Contemporary doors will best suit a modern decor, however, cottage and classic doors are equally as popular in traditional and modern urban settings. Interior design trends are very eclectic and it’s about everything working in harmony to create the space that you want. If you’re looking for inspiration check out these modern front door designs.
Finish
Once you’ve decided on your door design, give some thought to the finish: will you prefer a real wood veneer or the smooth appeal of laminate? Would fully finished doors best suit your needs, or would you prefer white primed doors you can then paint in any colour you like? The likelihood is that you’ll go for the same door design throughout most of your property. However, you might want to consider different finishes and colours to reflect different parts of the home.
How Sturdy Will Your Doors Be?
There are variations in the quality of construction in many doors. These are important things to consider when it comes to the performance, longevity and, of course, cost of the door. When picking your preferred designs, look out for details on core construction and edge lipping. Some doors, for example, have a hollow core, and others will have solid, engineered cores – which will be more costly, but more durable.
Door Accessories
When you order a door, it doesn’t generally come with the hinges, handles and any locks you might need – the reason being that it offers the customer a lot more choice in being able to choose their own stylish handles to fit in with the look of their home.
Who’s Going To Fit Your Doors?
You will find that an experienced door fitter or carpenter is the best person to fit your door. They will also be able to provide you with valuable advice before you purchase, on how the finished product may look and the sizes required.
Door Finishes
What Is An Unfinished Door?
An unfinished door is not waxed, varnished or painted when you buy it. It’s a blank canvas for your DIY skills. It can be a lengthy project, but it gives you the unique opportunity to customise your new door as much as you like. You can choose the primer for wood doors that best suits your needs and the exact paint colour to match your interior design.
What Is A Primed Door?
A primed door has already been coated with a specific coat of paint, called primer, which seals the wood and improves adhesion. A primed door is essentially a halfway house between a fully-finished and an unfinished door. You’ll need to know how to paint primed doors to get the job done, but you can still choose the paint colour to go along with your decor.
What Is A Pre-finished Door?
A pre-finished door is one that’s already been prepared for installation. It’s also known as a fully finished door. This essentially means paint, varnish, wax or whatever you’re desired finish is, has already been installed at a factory-level standard.
How Much Do Doors Cost?
The cost of your door depends on many factors including the type (internal or external), material (oak, metal, solid or hollow), accessories and installation. The style of your doors also make a huge impact on the cost of your door. This includes bifold doors and fire doors.
What Are The Different Types Of Doors?
Standard
Regular fixtures have a standard core that is lightweight, making it an affordable option for homeowners. They are a versatile choice, with various styles, and finishes available to help create a cohesive home layout.
Glazed
Glazed options allow plenty of natural light to flood into a room, helping to brighten up dark areas for a spacious atmosphere. They are a great choice for hallways where light may be limited, creating a more open feel.
Fire Rated
Internal fire-rated fittings play a key role in stopping the spread of fire and smoke in your home. Different ratings are available, including FD30 for 30 minutes of fire prevention to FD60 for an hour of protection.
Bifold
Bifold doors cover a wide spectrum of door types both internal and external. Whether you’re looking for a single bifolding internal door, an interior room divider or an external patio bifolding door, you will find a number of beautiful styles in our range.
Louvre
Cupboards, wardrobes, pantries & more. Louvre doors can be utilised in a wide-range of internal and external applications. Interior louvre doors have become increasingly more popular of late, combining their low cost and traditional looks with the ability to be used almost anywhere in the home from the kitchen to the bedroom.
You might be interested in:
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