Internal door buying guide

An internal door should suit your needs and the style of your home. But that's not all, as there are other decisive criteria that need to be considered in advance. In other words, choose an interior door type that meets the technical requirements of your project before worrying about what it looks like.

If you're renovating, you might want to opt for identical doors or a different style for each room - it all comes down to individual preferences and creative flair.

This selection takes the following criteria into account:

• Installation - this influences the type of door.

• Swing direction - determines the type of opening.

• Estimated transit - in order to select the correct size.

• Rooms to be closed off - to ensure the door is fit for purpose.

• Brightness - whether to choose a solid or glazed door.

• Acoustic or thermal insulation- influences the materials used for internal doors.

These criteria will guide your choice of technical characteristics and component parts for your internal doors.

A door is made up of many components, the main ones being:

• Pre-hung door - this is a set comprising a door slab, fixtures (supplied or not depending on the model) and door frame.

• Panels - casing the front and back of the door. This is the visible part.

• Filling - the core of a door, made up of honeycomb or insulation.

• Lites - the glazed part of a door that lets light through to brighten up a room.

• Opening/closing mechanism - comprising the handle, strike plate, frame, lock (depending on the type).

• Hinges - the components that hold the door up and form its axis of movement.

• Rail or track - the mechanism to open/ close sliding doors.

Pocket doors: an excellent choice for small rooms

Want to optimise the space available in a room? A pocket door is a great choice! With the pocket system, the door glides discreetly into the partition wall, saving you approximately 1 m² of space in the room concerned.

Pocket doors are especially useful in small rooms. You can easily install items of furniture where they would block a classic door. Unlike the latter, pocket doors don't cut into room space when they open.

Sliding doors: a budget option

Like their counterpart, the pocket door, sliding doors are mounted on a track, however unlike the former this is attached to the wall and not inside it. You save less space than with a pocket door, but for a small renovation they're ideal.

Hinged doors: the classic option

Hinged doors are the most commonly used interior door type. Mounted on hinges at one edge, the door rotates on its vertical axis. This can be located on either side of the frame. Hinged doors can be double or single leaf.

Pivot doors: stylish and practical

Pivot doors catch the eye with their originality and practicality. As part of a contemporary look, they work well as a decorative element in their own right. Their distinguishing feature is that they pivot on a central or off-set axis, hence the name. This type of door is only suitable for spacious areas, due to their clearance.

Folding doors: the budget space-saving solution

This type of door is made up of one or two panels that fold and unfold like a concertina as they slide along a rail. Bi-fold doors close at the central axis of the frame.

Folding doors are a good option for tight spaces and tight budgets.

Swing direction is another important area not to overlook. Your door should open in a way that maximises space. Here's some hinged-door specific vocabulary you should understand to help choose the right door:

• Right-handed: the door facing you, opens into the room on the right when pushed (hinges on the left, handle on the right).

• Left-handed: the door facing you, opens into the room on the left when pushed (hinges on the right, handle on the left).

The width of a door is determined by the movement and flow of people through the area concerned. In a living room, for example, you'll have to be able to bring furniture in and out. In the case of a walk-in wardrobe or toilet, the door can be narrower.

For people with reduced mobility, every door needs to be wide enough. Internal doors come in the following widths:

• 63 cm - sufficient for one person to pass through, typical width of toilet doors;

• 73 cm - standard width of internal doors;

• 83 cm - wide opening, minimum requirement for a person with reduced mobility;

• 93 cm - extra-wide opening (living room or kitchen door);

Height-wise, doors normally measure 204 cm (standard height). As for thickness, this is usually between 30 to 50 mm. Other sizes do of course exist and, where not available, made-to-measure internal doors can always be ordered.

Solid doors are the most common type found inside homes. However, if a room needs extra light, opting for a glazed door is a good approach. Thanks to the inclusion of translucent or transparent panes (natural or synthetic glass), light is able to penetrate the room.

This pane is known as a lite. Glazed doors are popular to separate closed kitchens from living rooms. Lites have undergone a significant evolution from the famous rectangles at the centre of a door in the 70s to modern, stylish designs. Their development echoes new trends in interior design and managing brightness.

A door is essentially comprised of a core and external panels. The core is the central part of the door, the outer panels being glued to this. These elements define the types of doors, their features, uses and price.

How sturdy a door is will depend on the materials it is made from. Below are the main materials used for internal doors:

• Wood: attractive and robust, wood is a natural insulator. It blends harmoniously with any decorative style. Pine and oak doors are popular.

• Particle board: MDF, laminate or chipboard offer budget alternatives to wood. MDF is sturdier than chipboard.

• Aluminium: light, strong and stylish, it suits a contemporary style. However, it is quite expensive.

• PVC: used in many ranges, it is suitable for both budget and mid-range doors. Together with other materials such as aluminium, it fits in well with a minimalist look or industrial style.

• Glass: natural or synthetic, often used for sections of doors and more rarely, an entire door. Translucent, not transparent, it lets light pass through while maintaining privacy.

Once the technical characteristics have been determined, it's time to consider design options. Individual tastes take precedence here, in line with the available budget of course. Here are a few design-related tips to help you choose the right internal door:

• Colours: play with different shades and colour intensity to create contrasts. In a light room, a darker door makes a good choice, and vice versa. You can also opt for a door you can paint and personalise.

• Patterns: doors with mouldings will add an attractive feature to your interior decor. There are many styles to choose from. You're sure to find one that's right for you!

• Glazed surfaces: as mentioned before, doors with translucent or transparent panes of synthetic or natural glass are often a must. In this case, opt for innovative styles, with several quirkily-arranged panes, for example.

• Door handles: this component is often mistakenly overlooked. Choose high-quality door handles for your internal doors. Budget options usually turn out to be fragile and will soon need replaced.

As you can see, the trick to choosing a suitable internal door is to strike a balance between the technical features and your own tastes. Now, it's over to you!