Doors come in different designs and sizes, with each one made to fulfill a certain purpose in a home. It can be intimidating to differentiate between the multiple types, but when you’re building your space, it’s important to distinguish two main kinds: interior doors and exterior doors.
These doors don’t just vary in where they’re placed in a house–they also differ in appearance, material, core, sizing, and cost. In this article, we’ll explore these contrasting characteristics to help you better understand what doors will work best in your home.
Function
Exterior doors provide a barrier against the outside, whether that be home intruders or adverse weather conditions. Because of that function, they’re often designed with considerations for insulation and security, such as thresholds, deadbolts, and locksets.
Interior doors, on the other hand, don’t need many extra features, as they’re only used to divide rooms and maintain privacy between spaces.
Appearance
Interior and exterior doors typically look different. Interior doors are usually lighter and thinner and can feature decorative panels on either side. Interior wooden doors, for example, come in various designs that can match your overall desired aesthetic for a space.
Exterior doors, on the other hand, are usually treated to prevent damage and come in double-door constructions. As mentioned, they also have more security features. They may also have decorative elements, but these are typically reserved on the outside part of the door.
Material
Interior and exterior doors can use similar materials, but there are a few differences. Both interior and exterior doors may be made from glass, metal, steel, wood, or a combination of these materials–but exterior doors require tougher and more moisture-resistant materials (even adhesives), are made up of multiple construction layers, and usually feature reinforced door frames.
Because interior doors don’t need to be as robust as exterior doors, many people opt for interior doors made with more cost-effective materials like fiberboard and then learn how to make interior doors look like wood to give them a sleeker finish.
Core
Exterior doors separate the inside and outside of a home, so they are generally constructed with a solid core. These doors usually consist of wood or wood grain cores surrounded by layers of steel or metal, allowing them to withstand weather abuse and provide adequate insulation.
Interior doors can also have solid core construction, but they’re much more flexible in that they can also function just as well with semi-solid or hollow cores.
Sizing
Exterior doors are usually larger and heavier than interior doors. Interior doors don’t need to be as thick, and they can be uniform in size within the home.
What is the standard interior door height? Standard interior doors stand at eighty inches, which is generally the minimum height requirement. This is different from exterior doors, which can be much taller if a home’s dimensions allow it.
Cost
Because exterior doors are made with more high-quality materials and extra features, they’re typically more expensive than interior doors.
The Best Interior Wood Doors from 27estore
Now that you know the difference between interior and exterior doors, you can better choose the right entryways for your home. If you’re looking for premium interior doors made with high-quality materials by skilled craftsmen, check out our wide selection of interior wooden doors today!
