The main function of interior doors is simple - the separation of rooms in the apartment from each other. However, choosing the right door from all the proposed variety is not as easy as it seems. When faced with a choice, you will have to decide what qualities are important to you - reliability and durability, practicality and soundproofing properties, stylish design and compliance with interior requirements, or perhaps all of this together. Having examined in detail the types of interior doors by material, opening method and other parameters, you will surely be able to choose the most suitable option for you.
How not to make a mistake in choosing?
To find the best option among the variety of interior door structures, you need to choose for yourself the basic selection criteria, which include the following characteristics of products of this type:
- Manufacturing material. It plays a key role in choosing a door, since many properties of the product, its weight, and also the cost depend on it.
- Weight and thickness. Since we are talking about interior structures, it is better to choose lightweight products, especially if you put them in thin partitions. The thickness should be such that the door can provide optimum sound insulation.
- Design. Doors are all-panel, paneled, with inserts, with honeycomb filling.
- External finishing. Defines the appearance and design of the product.
- Opening method. Ease of use and sometimes durability depend on it.
- Color. A factor that is paid attention almost more often than the material. It depends on the color how the door fits into the interior.
- Soundproofing. This criterion is especially important when choosing doors to the bathroom, toilet and bedroom.
- Moisture resistance. It matters for structures that are placed in the bathroom and in the kitchen.
Choosing a material
Since the main selection criterion is the material, let's find out what interior doors are made of. Most often, door structures are:
- Wooden. Differ in high durability, reliability, environmental friendliness. Door structures made of precious wood look very presentable. They are well suited for living rooms, but in the kitchen and in the bathroom, where high humidity and temperature changes are observed, it is better not to put them.
- Made from MDF. This is a modern material that is not inferior in quality to solid wood. MDF constructions have many advantages: many finishes, ranging from color, finish to the type and shape of the surface, and low weight, which facilitates the installation and adjustment of door hardware.
- Made from chipboard. Affordable option, but having a significant disadvantage: the material is not durable. The quality of the door will depend on the processing of the chipboard and the coating material. It would be correct not to install chipboard structures in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen because of the dislike of this material for moisture.
- Plastic. PVC is an excellent material for cases where high moisture resistance is required. Such designs are usually placed in the bathroom, toilet, as well as on the balcony.
- Glass with metal elements. Glass is often combined with other materials, but it can also be used on its own.
decorative trim
The type of door will depend on the decorative finishing material used. It could be:
- Varnish. Ideal for wood constructions, retains the natural structure of the material. It can be combined with other finishing materials, playing the role of a protective layer.
- Veneer. The main supporting structure can be made from inexpensive wood (usually pine) or MDF and covered with a thin veneer of valuable wood.It is impossible for a non-specialist to distinguish between a solid and veneered door.
- Enamel. Used to paint the surface of the door, makes it possible to choose any shade.
- Plastic. This material can be applied in a thin layer to the base or act as a sheathing, providing moisture resistance to the structure.
- Film. With its help, lamination of the structure is carried out. It is worth dwelling on this material in a little more detail.
Laminated doors differ in the type of film used.
- A cheap product laminated with a simple paper film has only two advantages - a wide selection of shades and a low price. Resistance to mechanical stress is extremely low and tends to zero.
- The paper base of the film for the laminated structure can be impregnated with melamine resins. Such material - laminate (laminatil) - is better, an order of magnitude stronger and, accordingly, more expensive.
- PVC film blurs the line between external differences between wooden and plastic doors. Structures laminated with such material have the greatest resistance to mechanical damage. Modern laminated doors have a wide range of colors and textures.
Types of interior doors by opening method
Most door structures can be divided into four types:
- Swing. The classic version, when the door is attached to the door frame on one side and can open in the selected direction. They require a place to open, which is not always possible.
- Sliding. Such designs are similar to wardrobe doors: they can open by moving along the wall or deep into the cavity in the wall. Save space in the apartment. Requires the use of quality guides.
- Folding. They consist of several sections and work like accordion bellows. Such a design is functionally not always convenient, its reliability is also in doubt.
- Rotary. Thanks to a special mechanism, they can not only rotate around a vertical axis, but also move to the side. A high-quality mechanism for such structures is quite expensive and is not applicable in the case of heavy doors.
The only disadvantage of a classic swing door is only the requirement for a certain space. The design has been tested for centuries and will not lose its relevance for a long time.
Choose a color
You need to talk in detail about how to choose the color of interior doors correctly - the shade of this interior element plays an important role in the design of the apartment. We bring to your attention some valuable tips regarding the colors of interior doors from a professional designer.
- Neutral natural colors will fit into any interior. The difference when used in different styles will be in the design of the door leaf: classic and baroque gravitate to gilded elements, rich decor, modern - to stained-glass windows, modern styles - to the clarity and conciseness of lines.
- Dark, almost black tones - wenge, merbau, teak - are best combined with ultra-modern interiors.
- Cool colors are best suited for modern styles such as minimalism, hi-tech, art deco, loft.
- The door in warm colors will perfectly fit into the interior in modern style, ethnic, rustic or classic style.
The white color of door structures is universal and suitable for almost any style - from classic to hi-tech, from Provence to Scandinavian style.
Thinking about how to choose the color of interior doors, you can stop at the option that will be combined with one of the existing interior elements:
- with window frames;
- floor covering;
- walls;
- furniture;
- skirting boards and platbands.
In the latter case, two win-win options can be advised:
- Light-colored doors, platbands and skirting boards are selected - white, cream, pine or bleached oak.
- Choice of contrasting colors. For example, a light door and dark architraves with skirting boards to match the furniture or floor.
Interesting options
The rare and non-standard solutions that deserve attention include glass interior doors and structures with a mirror.
Glass doors
Glass doors look very stylish and modern, visually expand the space, make it brighter.
The glass used for the manufacture of door structures is manufactured using a special technology. It is distinguished by high strength. Its three main varieties are:
- Triplex. It has a perfectly smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Like car glass, it consists of several layers glued together with a plastic film. Such glass, with a powerful blow, breaks into small fragments, but at the same time it does not crumble, but remains in place.
- Matolux. Durable frosted glass, opaque, but at the same time transmitting light. A very interesting option for a bathroom and toilet, usually devoid of natural light.
- Tempered glass. 10 times stronger than ordinary glass, with a strong impact with a hard object, it shatters into small fragments with almost no sharp edges.
Doors with mirrors
For rooms with small dimensions, including a bathroom with a toilet, you can choose interior doors with a mirror.
- The mirror surface, especially if it occupies the entire area of the door, can visually increase the size of the room.
- Mirrors are installed in all types of door panels, both from classic wood and modern plastic.
- The shape can be either the simplest, rectangular, or completely fantastic outlines.
Mirrors with additional processing of a part of the surface by tinting or matting have become widespread. As in the case of glass doors, mirrors are also treated to increase strength.
