Doors today are, of course, an integral part of the modern interior. Which, in principle, is not surprising. You must admit that it is unlikely that the room will look beautiful and elegant if a door is installed in the doorway that has been distorted and has remained since Soviet times. True, in these times, the inhabitants of our country did not have special opportunities. I had to be content with what was available, tinting from time to time and thereby updating the door leaf.
Today the situation has changed. The main condition is the availability of financial opportunities, and you can buy any doors. And not only interior, but also entrance. Stylish, beautiful, different in value and made of various materials. Up to the glass. It is quite understandable that the buyer can be confused and confused.
Which interior doors are better to choose? What to look for first? What to be guided by? After all, I really want them to be beautiful, and at the same time affordable. We’ll talk about this. Based on the recommendations and reviews of professionals, we will try to help the owners of apartments and houses. We will tell you how to choose the interior doors, what to consider and how to be guided when buying.
Small introduction
So, the interior doors. Which are better, which are worse? What to stop at? I would like to make a reservation right away that it is simply impossible to answer this question clearly. All professionals unanimously say that it is not enough to pay attention only to the material, color and design when buying. There are other, equally important characteristics of interior doors, which also need to be taken into account.
Do not forget also that, in addition to the canvas, the kit includes (and often does not include) a door frame, accessories. It is also necessary to take into account such a moment as the absence or availability of a guarantee. Yes, and the reputation of the manufacturer would not hurt to pay attention. However, you can’t list everything just like that. Therefore, we will consider in more detail how to choose interior doors.
General points
We will not touch on the specific characteristics of the door leaf and its appearance. Let us approach the question “which interior doors are better to choose” more globally. Because, if it comes to buying one canvas, then the error can still be somehow overcome. But if there is a question of replacing doors in the entire apartment, then with the wrong approach you are guaranteed an increase in the budget allocated for repairs. And at times.
So, you are in the store. And it seems that they have already made their choice. Everything suits you in terms of appearance. But! Do not rush to the checkout to pay for the purchase. It is necessary to find out some very important points before parting with a very impressive amount. First of all, you need to ask the seller whether it is possible to exchange purchased doors. Is it not enough? Suddenly you made a mistake in the calculations?
Or your doorway and purchased canvases are by no means created for each other. Then check if there is a delivery and if a store consultant is provided during it. Why is this needed? Yes, in order to check the quality of the purchased goods with him. After all, door leafs will arrive in the package. And who knows if marriage is hiding under her. So, inspection of products in the presence of a store representative is the surest way to protect yourself from the fact that one problem - how to choose interior doors - does not flow smoothly into another.That is, how to get rid of low-quality goods.
Now a few words about how to avoid mistakes through your own fault. First, decide for yourself which way and how your new doors will open. As for the last parameter, we’ll talk about it in more detail below, but the first one must be taken into account when choosing, as doors are often sold in which all the necessary fittings are already installed. So do not buy a cloth intended for opening to the right side, with handles for the left side.
Briefly about the openings. Before going to the store, you must very carefully remove all the necessary sizes. Firstly, so that it does not turn out that the door you have purchased is wider and higher than the opening. Secondly, in order to choose the right box. Which, by the way, are different. And if it turns out to be already, then this is not so scary. The situation will help fix the installation of add-ons. But if it’s wider, then your deeds are bad. Sawing a box is a thankless task. And you are unlikely to be able to do it neatly even with very good tools.
And the last one. Before thinking about how to choose interior doors, decide who will install them. If you want to carry out this procedure yourself, then the question is removed from the agenda. If you plan to hire a professional, then it is wiser to look for a door salon that not only sells them, but also installs them. Then you are guaranteed a very substantial discount. When buying a whole set, you must agree, this will save a pretty impressive amount.
Well, now specifically about what interior doors are made of, what to choose, what to consider when buying.
Design Features
To date, the most common are two types of interior doors:
- Deaf They are solid canvases, finished either with inlay, or with carved panels made of wood, or mirrors, etc.
- Glazed. Such canvases have a slot for glass, which can be inserted through a groove made from above or fixed with a glazing bead.
According to experts, the currently considered creative glass doors (this is the third type) in the near future will in no way be inferior in popularity to the canvases described above.
Type of opening
When choosing a set of doors for your apartment or house, of course, you need to consider such an important point as the type of opening. The latter factor is of great importance, as it has a direct impact on the functionality, appearance, and durability of the blade.
Of course, the so-called swing (i.e. classic) door leafs are considered the most common design today. These are designs familiar to all of us that are in most houses and apartments. They are reliable, perfectly cope with the functions of heat and sound insulation, universal. The market has a huge variety of different trim levels - both in the material from which these canvases are made, and in color, design, etc.
Perhaps their only drawback is that when open they occupy about one square of usable area. So before you install them in a small room, you need to think hard.
However, sliding doors that are mounted on specially made rails will help solve this problem, when opened, they do not go inside the room, but move along the wall, so that they practically do not occupy a centimeter of precious space.
There are also so-called folding doors (such as a "book" or "accordion"). They also allow you to save space, but bear more decorative than functional load, since they cannot boast of the basic qualities that a good door should be endowed with (sound and heat insulation).
What are they made of?
This is perhaps the main question of the topic: "How to choose interior doors." Because it is precisely on the material from which the canvases are made that their qualitative and operational characteristics depend. And, of course, durability and appearance. Therefore, racking one's brains over how to choose interior doors by quality, first of all, you need to pay attention to the material from which they are made.
Tree
Such canvases are considered the most expensive and sophisticated. Especially if they are made of expensive species, say, mahogany, Karelian birch, etc. True, not everyone can afford such interior elements. However, it cannot be said that such exclusive paintings are sold on every corner. The mass consumer is usually offered more budget options. These are paintings of spruce, pine, ash, etc.
Wooden doors differ in environmental friendliness, durability, various textured design, good performance, a variety of designs and colors. Of the significant shortcomings, perhaps only one can be distinguished. Professionals do not recommend installing wooden paintings in rooms with high humidity. Therefore, if you are faced with a problem regarding how to choose interior doors to the bathroom, then it is better to pay attention to products made of other materials that have enhanced water-repellent properties (say, plastic or MDF). About the latter - further.
MDF
Such canvases are made by dry pressing dried wood fibers under the influence of high temperatures and pressure. The cost of these doors is much lower (compared to wood), in addition, they are not subject to deformation due to moisture or temperature changes, durable, can be any color. As, however, and the design, which sometimes amazes the buyer with its variety, since the surface of such paintings is covered with natural or artificial veneer, which allows the manufacturer to freely experiment on their appearance.
How to choose interior doors from MDF? In principle, the same as everyone else. The basic selection rules to be followed will be described at the end of our review. As for the peculiarities of buying doors from MDF, here the buyer should first of all focus on the cost. So, say, finished with natural veneer sheets will cost more. However, if you decide to buy doors with artificial decoration, then they will not serve you less from this.
Plastic
These doors are considered, of course, a budget option. Which, naturally, is a plus. Of course, creating an exclusive interior with their help is quite difficult, but sometimes they are simply indispensable for arranging doorways of complex configuration, and also, as mentioned above, are excellent for rooms with high humidity (the same bathrooms).
Masonite
Doors made from this material are cheap and light. Inside they are hollow. It is this fact that determines their low weight and low cost. Usually they are sold unpainted, so that the future owner can subsequently determine the color. True, such canvases are fragile and practically devoid of soundproofing qualities, however, if you purchase products from a good manufacturer, then they will definitely last ten years.
Metal
Doors made of this material in our country are rarely used as interior doors. Which, incidentally, can not be said about Europe. Usually they are most often used to equip the entrance opening. However, some manufacturers today produce such beautiful metal products that sometimes they are no worse than the usual classic options. Say the same Outpost doors.Customer and expert reviews clearly indicate that although the company is positioning itself as a manufacturer of entrance doors, it is quite simple to choose the interior option (if there is such a need) from the entire variety of products.
And since we have touched on this topic, in order not to lose the thread of our story, let’s say a few words about what kind of front doors should be installed.
Essence of the question
Of course, the choice of the front door is a topic for a separate, and very extensive review. We want to consider it from a slightly different side. The fact is that, starting a repair and acquiring a set of interior doors, do not forget that the latter should be combined with the front door. How to do it? Well, there are several ways to solve this problem.
Take the same Outpost doors. Customer reviews, as we have already mentioned, indicate that such metal sheets, due to the sophistication of their design and a variety of types, can easily equip all the doorways in the apartment. However, not every apartment owner will like this option. Well, then you have to find a compromise. That is, by choosing interior doors, search for suitable entrance doors. What do we mean by this definition? The fact that the input canvas should be very similar in color and design to the interior.
Some apartment owners do it easier. They install double interior doors as an entrance door. However, this option, firstly, is applicable only in the case of buying wooden paintings, and secondly, whatever you say, a metal door is much more reliable. Today, nothing is impossible. Manufacturers offer so many claddings of the inner surface of the entrance metal doors that it is quite simple to choose the right option for yourself. Even if there is no suitable product on sale, you can make a canvas to order.
However, it may not be necessary. Because many foreign and Russian manufacturers in the manufacture of their products do not lose sight of the likelihood of such a problem, so choosing the right option is quite possible. Let's say the door is Outpost. Reviews of many buyers indicate that when contacting this manufacturer they were able to solve the problem rather quickly and easily.
Because the choice offered by the company is really impressive. However, “Outpost” is not the only manufacturer of entrance doors in the domestic market. We give it as an example because this brand is famous for the availability, excellent quality and reliability of its products. Well, the final choice as to which front doors are best set, of course, always remains with you.
Colour
This is really a headache for any buyer. What color to choose interior doors - dark or light? Oh well, just that. The concepts of "dark" and "light" hide under themselves such a diverse range of all kinds of shades that just the head goes around. Let’s try to somehow help determine the choice.
So, how to choose interior doors by color. True, there are no firm rules regarding this. Typically, when choosing, they rely on the general interior solution of the premises, the types of wall finishes, the color of the flooring and furniture. Shades of natural and neutral are ideal for any interior.
Say the same white. Pure classic, great option. Doors of this color are equally good for a discreet and ultramodern interior. Cold tones are perfectly combined with such styles as minimalism, art deco, high-tech. Warm are perfect for home or rustic interiors. Very dark doors are a great option if all rooms are decorated in bright colors.
And a universal technique. As a rule, repairs, accompanied by the replacement of interior doors, also include the installation of a new floor covering. Make the latter the same in all rooms.And then buy doors of exactly the same tone. It will turn out harmoniously, elegantly and beautifully.
To summarize
So, nevertheless, which interior doors to choose? The feedback from numerous customers, as well as the authoritative opinion of the professionals that we studied to compile our review, provide an answer to this question. Firstly, those that suit you at their cost. Secondly, appropriate to the future interior and functional purpose. Third, quality. And in order to comply with the last requirement, you must follow some rules.
On the surface of a good door there can be no roughness and tubercles. It must be pleasant and smooth to the touch. Most of the doors are varnished. If the product emits a pungent odor, refuse to purchase. It is unlikely that you will want to inhale for a long time extraneous odors that are not too healthy for your health. If there are stains on the varnished or painted surface, and the color is heterogeneous, it is better to look for another product. Remember! At a good door, not only the outer side of the canvas, but also the ends are qualitatively finished.
The presence of sloppy saw cuts, a rough surface above and below indicate the dishonesty of the manufacturer. Do not purchase its products. Most likely, these are not the only defects. The rest will be discovered during operation, when it will be impossible to change anything. Important! When buying, pay attention not only to the door leaf itself, but also to the platbands and the door frame. All these components should be of the same quality, color and texture.
If you look at the door leaf from the front side and see that it is curved, also leave this store. Not a single self-respecting seller will trade in products that even show with their naked eyes that they are made from low-quality, unsaturated raw materials. And only in the absence of all the above defects on the doors that attracted you, we can assume that you finally found a worthy option. Go to the cash register. Pay for the purchase.
