Doors are one of the most significant components of any structure, be it a building, a home, or anything else. They’re crucial since they offer privacy and security. Not only that, but they also help to decrease noise from outside the building. Consider a house or building without a door. Isn’t it horrible? We all know that visualising a home without a door is a terrifying thought. Things could go wrong if your home lacks a door or has a low-quality door. There are various types of doors available on the market depending on an individual’s requirements.
People are drawn to the appearance of the doors when choosing them. However, we must remember that the durability and strength of the door are far more significant than its appearance, unless you are picking it for the interior of the house.
In this post, we’ll go over the various doors types available on the market and which are the most popular, so you can get a better idea of what you want when choosing doors for your home.
Hinged Doors:
Hinged door is a common type of door found in every building structure. The simplicity of hinged doors and the installation process make it a more common type among doors. Hinged doors are mounted on hinges which are fixed to the door frame (jamb), allowing the door to swing freely, creating an opening and closing of the entrance. Hinged doors can be used for interior as well as exterior applications. Hinged doors can be made up of different materials and designs. Some of the common types of hinged doors based on their designs and material are explained below.
1. Paneled Door
Paneled door are typically single hinged doors. They are called paneled door because these doors feature small rectangular or square sections which are sunken or raised, surrounded by frames. Paneled door come in a variety of designs such as four-panel, six-panel, eight panel and as per customization. Paneled door is typically made of wood, giving them a more traditional and classic appearance.
2. Flush Door
Flush door is another variant of single hinged door type. Unlike paneled door, flush door do not feature raised or sunken sections. Instead, flush door have a smooth, sleek, and flat surface on both sides. Flush door is made of wood or wood composite materials (products made up of a combination of wood fibers or particles and adhesive). Being flat and smooth on both sides, flush doors can be easily painted to any color or pattern. Moreover, they can also be decorated with unique 3D door wallpapers.
3. Louvered Door
Louvered door consist of horizontal slats (thin horizontal stripes) to allow air and light to pass through them for proper ventilation and lighting. Louvered door is generally used in laundry rooms, closets, and utility rooms where ventilation is required. Louvered door are not as strong as other single hinged doors and cannot be used for external or main entrance doors of the building. Louvered door is made of materials such as wood, plastic, fiber, and metal. Many customization options are available for the sizing and spacing of slats used in louvered doors.
4. Jali Door
In hot places like India, people wanted a way to let fresh air into their homes while keeping bugs and mosquitoes out. That’s where Jali door come in!
Jali door is like an extra door put in front of the main door. The main door could stay wide open to let air flow inside. But the Jali door had a frame with a wire net or mesh across it. This mesh had lots of tiny holes that let the cool air pass through, but stopped mosquitoes and flies from getting in.
In the past, Jali door were just for getting air and keeping bugs away. But now, they have become really beautiful too! Skilled workers make them fully out of wood (teak or sheesham) and carve pretty patterns into the wood by making tiny holes. Designs like flowers, shapes, and even little animal figures are carefully carved into the Jali door.
The tiny carved holes let air flow through while also looking very nice. When the air passes through, it creates pretty moving shadows from the patterns on the door. This makes the room look special and interesting.
5. French Door
French door is a type of door that has two separate doors hinged on their outer edges that open from the center. French door are always designed with glass panels, which provide ample natural sunlight and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. French door are widely used as entrance doors for rooms and as patio doors.
6. Arched Door
Arched door is similar to French door but have the top part of the door designed in an arched or curved shape. Arched door also come in a single hinged door system. Arched door can be customized in a variety of arch styles such as semicircular, elliptical, and gothic. They are made of materials like wood, metal, glass, or a combination of these materials. Arched door are mostly used in historical and religious buildings, luxury homes, etc.
7. Saloon Door
Saloon door, which are also known as batwing or swing door, have a similar structure to French door. Saloon door are typically half the size of a standard door, covering just the lower half of a doorway, allowing visibility and airflow while providing a barrier. Saloon door is normally made of wood, and other materials are seen very rarely in use. Saloon doors is installed with double action hinges, allowing each door to swing both inwards and outwards. Saloon door is normally used in cafes, retro pubs, in homes to separate dining and kitchen areas.
Sliding Doors
A sliding door is a door that moves horizontally along the track instead of swinging on hinges. Sliding door is used to save space or where space is limited. Sliding doors are made of wood, aluminum, glass, or a combination of these materials. Sliding doors are used for seamless access in residential and commercial buildings such as closets, balconies, patios, office rooms, etc. Sliding doors are less often customized and come in single or double paneled designs.
1. Barn Door
Barn door is a type of sliding door which is mounted on overhead track. Barn door is very similar to sliding doors but here the sliding track is not hidden and externally mounted above door frame. Barn door is used in the room with less space. Barn door is made up of materials such as wood, aluminium or glass. Barn door is mostly used for room partitions, closet doors, etc.
2. Automatic Sliding Door
Automatic sliding door is a door type similar to sliding doors, but the only difference is that they are opened and closed automatically without needing to be touched. Automatic sliding door work with sensors that detect when a human is near the door and open and close accordingly. Automatic sliding door is generally of greater width and height and are only used for commercial buildings and stores, hospitals, airports, etc., as entrance doors. They are made of glass, aluminum, or other materials. They are designed for high-traffic areas, providing easy access for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and carts.
3. Pocket Door
A pocket door is a type of door that slides on a track similar to the sliding door mechanism, but a pocket door slides into a compartment (pocket) within the wall, becoming completely hidden when open. Pocket door is a perfect choice for interior doors as they offer a space-saving solution and provide unobstructed passage. Pocket door is lightweight and typically made from wood or glass.
Folding Doors:
Folding doors, also known as bi-fold or multi-fold doors, have multiple panels which are connected to each other with the help of hinges that can be folded against each other. Folding doors require less space when opened compared to hinged doors, hence they are widely used in situations where space is limited. Folding doors are often made of wood or glass and can be designed to be opaque or transparent.
Pivot Doors:
A pivot door is a type of door that rotates on a central pivot point or sometimes an off-central pivot point instead of the traditional hinged or sliding system. Pivot doors can swing in both directions, making them perfect for commercial spaces, high-end residences, and shopping malls. Pivot doors are made of wood, metal, or glass.
Rolling Doors
Rolling door, also known as coiling door or roll-up door is a type of door that operates vertically by rolling or coiling up and down. Rolling doors are generally larger than normal doors and are mainly used for outdoor purposes. Rolling doors are mostly used for commercial spaces, shops, and also as garage doors. They are made of steel or aluminum. The rolling motion of the door can be operated manually or with the help of an electric motor if the size of the door is large.
Types of Doors Based on Materials
Doors can be made up of different types of materials, each with different designs and purposes. The most popular material used for manufacturing doors is undoubtedly wood, as it is available throughout the world and has unique advantages. However, wooden doors are not beneficial for all types of buildings or structures, so other types of door materials were also introduced. Doors made of these materials are commonly used worldwide.
1. Glass Door
The type of door in which nearly 90% of the material used is glass is called a glass door. Glass panels are framed with metal, aluminum, or wooden door frames. Glass door can be designed as single hinged, double hinged, sliding, or they can even be customized for sliding. Glass door provides maximum natural light in rooms or spaces, creating an open and airy feeling. Glass door is used in shops, showrooms, studios, etc., to showcase products, artwork, and other displays to attract customers. They are also used in residential and commercial buildings for entryways, patio doors, and room dividers.
2. Wooden Door
Wooden door is a classic and traditional type of door that can provide all the features which other door types can’t. Wood door can be made from a variety of woods from around the world. To name a few, oak, teak, mahogany, pine, etc., are widely used. Similar to glass door, they are also designed as single hinged, double hinged, louvered, paneled, etc. Wooden door can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
3. Metal Door
Metal door is completely made from metal to provide additional strength, security, and durability. Metals such as steel, aluminum, and iron are used for manufacturing metal doors. Metal door can be designed in various styles such as single and double hinged, sliding, rolling, and sometimes the door is also welded to the frame to provide a permanent connection. Metal door is mostly used in commercial, industrial, and areas or spaces where high security and durability are required.
4. Vinyl (uPVC) Door
Vinyl or uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) door is rapidly growing in popularity for use in residential as well as commercial buildings. Vinyl door is cheaper and require less to no maintenance compared to other door materials.
Made from highly rigid plastic, vinyl door is resistant to moisture, temperature changes, rusting, rotting, and are termite-proof. Vinyl doors are mostly used in the interior of the house; their use outdoors is mainly avoided. Even though they offer many advantages over other door materials, they are still less strong than materials such as steel and wood.
Vinyl door offer various options for customization, and because of their smooth finish, various door wallpapers can be easily adhered to them, making them visually appealing. Vinyl door is generally designed as single hinged door. Common uses of vinyl door include bathrooms, laundry rooms, bedrooms, etc.
Special Types of Doors :
In addition to regular doors, there are times when we need doors for special situations. These special doors have to meet more needs than just security of the building. For these situations, we need special types of doors. Installing and designing these doors is different from regular doors.
1. Fire-Rated Door
A fire-rated door is a special type of door designed to resist fire and smoke, allowing residents to escape safely in case of a fire breakout. Fire-rated door is typically made of high-quality steel or fire-resistant material. Each part, such as the door frame, hinges, lock, etc., has special insulation and sealing mechanisms. Fire-rated doors are designed based on their ability to withstand fire for a certain duration, such as 20, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. This type of door is used in commercial and multi-story apartment buildings in fire exit routes or stairwells. In residential buildings, they are rarely used.
2. Soundproof Door
A soundproof door is a door type designed to reduce the transmission of sound between two rooms. Soundproof door is made with sound-absorbing and sound-blocking materials. The core of the door structure is dense, allowing the blockage of sound waves. The gap between the door frame and the door, known as edges, is generally fitted with tight-fitting seals or gaskets for proper sound insulation. This door type is mostly suitable for recording studios, theaters, conference rooms, radio stations, performance venues, etc.
3. Security Door
A security door is a door type used to provide advanced security against forced entry, burglary, and other major security threats. A security door is a special type of door made from high-quality reinforced steel or aluminum. The locking system of these doors is not like traditional doors; instead, an advanced multi-point locking system is used. If a vision panel is used, it is made of shatter-resistant glass. Security door is used to protect high-risk areas such as ATM centers, banks, financial institutes, jewelry shops, etc.
What Types of Doors Are Used For Interiors?
For the interiors of the house, the common door types that are most used and suitable are flush doors, sliding doors, louvered doors, barn doors, etc. Nowadays, there is no standard concept of using a specific door for a specific location. People choose any type of door according to their needs, standards, and functionality.
What Types of Doors Are Best For Bathroom?
While choosing a door for your bathroom, one should keep in mind that the door may come in contact with water every day, so it is important to ensure your door type is waterproof to prevent damage from moisture. The best types of doors for bathrooms are flush doors, glass door, pocket door, uPVC doors, and lightweight aluminum doors, as these doors can resist water splashes and high humidity.