Interior Door Buying Guide

Interior doors are a key part of any renovation project. This door-buying guide will walk you through the door-buying process to help you choose the right interior doors for your home.

Your choice of door will largely depend on your home's aesthetic, budget, and the space available. The good news is that there are stunning and highly practical doors to suit every home and homeowner.

Pre-Hung vs Slab Doors

One of the first choices you'll face is whether to look for a pre-hung or slab door. The main difference is whether or not they come with a door frame. A pre-hung door comes with a frame. A slab door is just the door slab with cutouts for the door handle and strike plate. Homeowners will need to build or purchase a frame (or use an existing frame) if they choose a slab door.

Pre-Hung Doors

Prehung doors come attached to a three-sided door frame. Essentially, they come oven-ready to install. However, you may need (or wish) to purchase additional hardware like a doorknob or handle. A pre-hung door comes with several components including:

• The door slab
• Door frame
• Hinges
• Pre-cut holes to fit the strike plate and door handle

Slab Doors

Slab doors are literally just the door. Slab doors tend to be stripped down, meaning you will need to paint them. A slab door is a great option when you already have a functioning door frame you don't want to replace.

Get Professional Help with a Pre-Hung Door

Pre-hung doors are perfect for an interior or exterior door. However, they tend to be very heavy. This makes installation complex and dangerous for DIY novices. That’s why 63% of door installations were done by a contractor in 2022. Protect yourself, your family, and your new door with help from door installation professionals.

Sliding Doors vs Swinging Doors

Deciding between a sliding and swinging door is a practical and aesthetic decision. Both options offer functionality and style but may be better suited to some homes than others. Let's explore the differences.

Swinging Doors

Traditional swinging doors are the most common configuration and a mainstay in homes around the world. Swinging doors are hinged doors that typically swing into a room when opened. Swinging doors are durable and classy, and offer excellent sound and heat insulation.

Swinging doors are also highly customizable. For example, French doors feature large glass door panels. French doors allow natural light to flood into every nook and cranny in your home and set the tone for a chic yet understated overall look.

The main downside to swing doors is the floor and wall space they require to open. A swinging door requires free floor space where it swings open. Allowing for swing also means the wall adjacent to the door can't be used for shelving or art without risking damage.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are becoming increasingly popular. Sliding doors are chic and highly practical in smaller homes.

Unlike swinging doors, sliding doors don't require clearance space to open. However, they do require wall space at least as wide as the door slab next to the door opening to fully open the door.

A sliding door comes in many different configurations:

• Barn doors: Barn doors slide along an overhead rail that hangs above the door opening.
• Concealed rail barn doors: Concealed rail barn doors (or magic doors) have no visible rail. This gives the illusion that they hold themselves up. Magic doors are perfect for modern, minimalist homes.
• Pocket doors: Pocket doors slide along a floor track and disappear into the wall cavity when open.
• Bi-fold doors: Bi-fold doors consist of two or more panels that fold against each other when opened.

Sliding double doors offer the perfect solution for wide openings with enough wall space on each side to open the doors fully. This creates a show-stopping entrance that can open up large living spaces and close off areas for a more intimate feel.

Solid-Core vs Hollow-Core Doors

There are two different types of wood doors: hollow-core and solid-core. Generally, solid-core doors are recommended as they’re sturdier, more durable, and offer more heat and sound insulation. However, they come at a higher price point than hollow-core options.

Hollow-core doors are more budget-friendly. They’re also lightweight, making them a great option for homeowners with limited strength. However, if your budget extends to solid-core doors, they’re well worth the investment.

How to Measure for a Swing Door

To accurately measure for a swing door, you'll need to consider the following:

Measure the Door Height

• Measure from the finished floor to the top of the door opening.
• Subtract 1/2 inch from the measurement to account for the gap between the door and the floor.

Measure the Door Width

• Measure the rough opening (the opening where the door will be installed).
• Subtract 1/2 inch from the width measurement to account for the door jamb.

Additional Considerations

• Door swing: Determine the direction the door will swing (left or right) when opened.
• Door thickness: Standard door thicknesses are 1⅜ inches or 1¾ inches.
• Door style: Consider the style of the door, as it may affect the overall dimensions and hardware requirements.
• Hardware: Measure the distance between the door edge and the center of the doorknob or handle.

How to Measure for a Barn Door

Measuring your rough opening and the adjacent wall space correctly is essential to choosing the right size barn door. Follow these three simple steps to measure for an interior barn door:

1. Measure the Wall Space Above the Frame

Barn doors are only viable if you have enough space to fix the rail above the door opening. It must be strong enough to support the weight of the hardware and the door itself. There must be enough space between the top of the door opening and the ceiling to fit in the track. Calculate at least six inches to be sure.

2. Check Your Wall Space

You must also have enough wall space next to the door opening where your barn door will slide open. Ensure there's enough space to open the door fully. Make sure anything fixed to the wall like artwork, light switches, or electrical outlets won't interfere with your door's smooth opening.

3. Allow Space at the Base of the Door

Leave around half an inch between the floor and the bottom of the barn door when measuring the height of the door opening. This will ensure that the door slides smoothly. A door that touches the floor will stick and possibly damage your floor.

Tip: We go into more detail about measuring for a barn door in our article on how to measure sliding barn door sizes.

Set the Tone for Your Home with Stunning Interior Doors

Interior doors are much more than functional entryways. They're the first introduction to each room and set the tone for your interior spaces.

Modern design means a door can be a show-stopping masterpiece or a discreet, almost unperceivable feature in your room. Whatever your vision, there are modern interior doors for you.