Different Types of Doors to Add Style to Your Living Space

Different Types of Doors to Add Style to Your Living Space
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: December 13, 2023
  • Updated On: December 13, 2023

Whether you’re simply replacing one or two doors to update your home or getting a renovation, the internal doors you choose could make or break your home improvement project. It all depends on what you need and want from your doors, as different types of doors, styles, materials, and configurations are available.

You can select doors that swing, fold, or slide, open up your living area, block out noise, or blend in.

Let’s discuss different types of doors according to style. We will focus on:

  • Types of closet doors
  • Types of front doors
  • Types of interior doors
  • Types of sliding doors
  • Types of commercial doors

Let’s discuss these types one by one. 

5 Types of Closet Doors 

You install a brand-new closet organizer in your house with a straightforward design with closet rods or shelving.

It is time to think about the type of wardrobe doors you require. Even though the closet’s storage and organization are the main reasons you started the project, the doors that go on it are the last detail you will likely notice the most and that your guests will see as well.

You can choose one for yourself from different types of closet doors:

1. Classic Closet Swinging Door

The traditional closet swinging door is identical to any other typical interior door. These doors have three hinges and can be opened and closed with a handle, lever, or knob. It might be a fantastic choice if you have the space for a swinging door!

It is a well-liked, classic choice. If you want your interior doors to have a unified look throughout your house, you can also make your wardrobe doors match the rest.

It is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a wardrobe door because most people believe the swinging door is the only option.

2. Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are an alternative for those who lack the space for a traditional closet swinging door. A bifold door has two folding sections hinged together in the center, enabling the door to fold into a vertical half.

The door folds back against the wall and slides open. Bifold doors are utilized for reach-in closets rather than the spacious walk-in master closet. Comparing bi-fold to the barn and swinging doors, the former requires substantially more space.

The door folds in half so you can save wall and floor space.

3. By-Pass Doors

If you have limited wall and floor space, bypass doors are a great option because they allow the doors to slide in front of each other instead of swinging in or out.

These doors save space and fit the wardrobe opening with ease. They are do-it-yourself friendly and easy to use.

At the moment, you can only reach half of the wardrobe. Since these are also on a track, it’s critical to maintain track alignment.

The ideal solution would be a bypass door with limited floor or wall space.

4. Closet Pocket Doors

A pocket door or wardrobe sliding door are excellent space-savers. A pocket door might be a great solution in situations where there isn’t enough wall space for a barn door or where you don’t want to take up a lot of floor space, as seen in the image below.

Since 90% of pocket doors don’t close, you should know whether you want your closet to be visible to everyone.

Pocket doors unquestionably save the most space out of all the closet door options.

5. Closet Barn Doors

As long as there is space on the wall free of plugs or outlets where nothing might interfere with the door’s ability to open and close, barn doors can be excellent for closets.

Many barn doors are left open because most people prefer their appearance, covering the bare wall space and opening into the adjacent one. As a result, they are rarely closed.

7 Types of Front Doors

Consider the cost, functionality, and aesthetics of a front door before choosing one.

Let’s discuss different types of exterior doors:

1. Wooden Front Doors

Wooden front doors, known for their aesthetic appeal and natural warmth, are a classic and timeless choice for home entrances.

Wooden doors, made from wood species such as oak, mahogany, or pine, have a traditional charm that complements different architectural styles.

Their flexibility allows for customization through a wide range of stains, finishes, and designs, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking for a combination of elegance and durability.

2. Composite Front Doors

Composite front doors are made from a combination of materials, most commonly wood, uPVC, and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). This construction improves the door’s strength, security, and insulation properties.

These doors frequently resemble traditional wooden doors but offer additional benefits such as low maintenance and resistance to warping, cracking, or fading over time.

3. Fiberglass Front Doors

Fibreglass front doors are lightweight, durable, and resistant to a wide range of environmental factors, making them an excellent choice for exterior doors.

Fibreglass doors, which are made of a composite material that includes glass fibers and resin, can be designed to look like wood or other materials while providing excellent insulation and energy efficiency.

They are popular among homeowners due to their low maintenance requirements and resistance to dents and scratches.

4. Aluminium Front Doors

Aluminum front doors are distinguished by their sleek and modern appearance, providing a contemporary aesthetic to a home’s entrance. Aluminum doors are lightweight but strong and are resistant to corrosion, resulting in long life and low maintenance.

They also frequently include thermal breaks to improve energy efficiency, making them suitable for climate-variable regions.

5. Front Bifold Doors

Front bifold or folding doors provide a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor spaces.

These doors made up of multiple panels that fold and stack against one another when opened, provide flexibility in opening configurations, allowing homeowners to customize the amount of fresh air and natural light that enters their living spaces.

Bifold doors are especially popular for connecting living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens to patios or gardens.

6. Front Patio Doors

Front patio doors are a broad category that includes a variety of door types, such as sliding glass doors, French doors, and folding doors, all of which are designed to connect indoor spaces with outdoor patios.

Large glass panels are frequently used in these doors to maximize natural light and provide unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. Patio doors help to create an open and airy atmosphere, which improves the overall aesthetics of both interior and exterior spaces.

7. Victorian Front Doors 

Victorian front doors are distinguished by their intricate designs, which frequently include ornate panels, stained glass, and decorative detailing that reflect the Victorian architectural style.

These doors are well-known for their elegance and historical charm, making them a popular choice among homeowners who want to preserve or replicate the distinct character of Victorian homes.

Despite their vintage appearance, Victorian front doors meet modern security, insulation, and durability standards thanks to modern manufacturing techniques.

5 Types of Interior Doors

Interior doors are frequently overlooked when building a new home or renovating an old one.

If you pay attention to your interior doors, they can enhance your décor. Install a stylish and functional door in your home to give it a more dignified appearance.

There are various types of interior doors made of various materials. Simply select the type that complements your design and watch it add character to your home.

1. Flush Doors

Flush doors have a smooth, unadorned surface with no panels or ornamentation. They have the most basic and inexpensive design, which makes them very popular. The doors are typically sold solid, but they may also be available in lightweight hollow-core form. In addition, there are two layers of thin wood on a honeycomb cardboard core.

They are available in a variety of finishes, the most common of which are stained wood and painted.

Flush doors are adaptable and can fit into any room design. The doors are strong, long-lasting, and insulating, with weatherproofing options. If you want a simple door for your home, this flat piece might be your best option.

2. Panel Doors

Panel doors have more appeal and detail. They are simple, but they are divided into different panels. These panels can be installed vertically or horizontally.

The doors are available in a variety of styles, the most common of which is the raised panel door. Their panels are elevated from the flat surface and can be recessed.

Panel doors are typically built in a frame. This method of construction helps to reduce wood warping, swell, and shrinkage caused by temperature changes in solid wood.

Panel doors can be made to your specifications and range in size from two to twelve panels. Standard panel doors, five-panel equal doors, and three-panel mission doors are popular among homeowners.

3. French Doors

French doors give your design a classic look. They are constructed with glass panes that extend from top to bottom. They are mostly used for exterior doors, but they also look great on the inside.

You can use them to organize your wardrobe or to divide different areas of your home. French doors can be painted to match your décor. White ones, on the other hand, will give you a sleek and clean look that will go with any interior style you choose. They can be used to add a dramatic touch to your entryways, kitchen and dining areas, living room, patio, and bedroom.

French doors provide a visual connection between two spaces while also providing privacy. They are popular in traditional settings and can also be used in modern designs.

4. Glass Doors

If you are designing an open-concept home, glass doors should be used to create clear demarcations. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on your needs.

You can have a complete glass door or mix it with other materials such as metal and wood.

Glass doors are 12 to 34 inches thick and made of toughened glass to reinforce their strength. They are available as sliding or swing doors.

Sliding glass doors are mostly found in commercial settings and have a wooden or metal frame. Swing doors, on the other hand, are found in homes. They can be hinged or frameless for a more contemporary appearance. Frameless glass doors can be found in bathrooms and shower enclosures.

5. Pocket Doors

Pocket doors are currently popular in the door industry. They function similarly to sliding doors, but only one side rolls into an open space in the wall.

There are now pocket door variations that allow you to slide double doors to both sides. Because they have side jambs to receive the doors and top jambs on the track, this slide is possible. The tops of the doors are also equipped with rollers for smooth gliding.

Pocket doors are ideal for dividing small spaces in homes. It is suitable for use in children’s rooms, closets, storage areas, and study rooms. They are an excellent choice for rooms in the house where doors are rarely closed.

5 Types of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors, among the various types of doors, significantly increase the style quotient of your home. They open horizontally and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Sliding doors come in a variety of styles, including:

1. Bypass Doors

These sliding doors are ideal for use in closets or bathrooms. They work well in small spaces and can be opened by pushing the door to one side. Bypass sliding doors are available in wood or glass.

They are simple to install and open, with tracks on both the top and bottom of the door. These doors have grown in popularity as one of the more affordable options.

2. Pocket Sliding Doors

Another type of door that is suitable for smaller spaces or for those who do not require larger doors. Pocket sliding doors have no hinges.

When the doors are opened, they disappear into the house’s wall. They are made of various materials and are very comfortable to use.

3. Shoji Doors

Shoji doors are traditional Japanese doors that add to the aesthetic value of a home. People have begun to appreciate the unique design of this door made of wood and paper.

They differ from other doors in appearance because the panes are not made of glass. The disadvantage of installing this door is that the paper has a chance of tearing. If professional assistance is not sought, installation of these doors can be difficult. The use of Shoji doors gives the house a traditional appearance.

4. Sliding Accordion Doors

These sliding doors are the most affordable option available. When opened, the door folds and slides to one side, as the name suggests. They are available in a variety of colors and styles.

Accordion sliding doors, unlike others, are hung. They have a nice appearance and are simple to install. These doors come in handy whenever it is necessary to cover multiple doors on a limited budget.

5. Barn Doors

In rural areas, barn doors are very common. There are various styles, but sliding barn doors are popular. Once an upper track and a bottom groove are cut into the doorway, these doors will fit perfectly.

Access to the room will be much easier than with a hinged door. Barn doors, which are mostly made of wood, come in a variety of shapes and colors. Because they are rougher than other doors, they can be installed in barns and garages. They are resistant to outside influences. A door like this is both simple and unique.

5 Types of Commercial Doors 

Have you ever gone to a business or office building where the doors were challenging to open? If that were the case, you would be aware of how ineffective the entire encounter was.

As a business owner, you should constantly strive to go above and beyond your customers’ expectations, starting with the entrance doors to your establishment. You can choose from different kinds of commercial doors used in building construction. Here are some types to consider: 

1. Wooden Doors

Wooden doors are a popular commercial material due to their aesthetic appeal and timeless charm. These doors, made of various hardwoods, not only radiate comfort and a level of sophistication but also durability and longevity.

Because of their natural beauty, they are appropriate for many commercial settings, including offices, retail spaces, and upscale establishments.

2. Aluminum Doors

Aluminum doors are a great option for commercial applications because of their construction and lightweight design. Longevity is ensured by the material’s resistance to rust and corrosion, and its malleability offers a variety of design possibilities.

Aluminum doors are frequently used in modern office buildings and storefronts. They have a sleek, contemporary appearance and blend with glass components to create an attractive entrance.

3. Galvanized Steel Doors

Galvanized steel doors are highly valued for their remarkable durability and strength, which makes them a solid option for commercial settings that prioritize security. The steel is coated with zinc during the galvanization process, which increases the door’s resistance to corrosion and durability.

These doors are frequently found in warehouses, industrial settings, and other locations where increased security is crucial.

4. Full Glass Doors

The transparent or translucent panels of full glass doors add to the air of openness that defines commercial spaces. These doors are common in retail environments because they maximize product visibility and provide an eye-catching entrance.

Full glass doors not only improve natural light flow but also have a sleek, contemporary design that fits in with current architectural trends.

5. Hollow Metal Doors

The strength, affordability, and adaptability of hollow metal doors make them highly valued in a range of commercial applications. These doors offer strength without being unduly heavy because they are made of a hollow interior enclosed in a metal shell.

Because of their resilience to fire and capacity to tolerate frequent use, they are frequently utilized in commercial buildings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

The ability to incorporate various finishes and hardware to satisfy particular functional and aesthetic requirements is just one more way that hollow metal doors’ versatility can be customized.

Doors Add Sophistication to Your House Appeal! 

Every type of door has a specific purpose, whether the traditional wooden ones, the folding and pocket types, or the sliding doors that save space. Doors give a space a particular appearance and feel in addition to serving as a barrier to keep things in or out. It all comes down to figuring out what works best for us.

FAQs

  • What is the Best Type of Door?
    Your best option if security and longevity are your top concerns is a steel door. Steel doors are more resilient and will not warp or crack than wood or fiberglass doors. These doors can have any dents or dings removed and puttied with an auto-body repair kit.
  • Which Type of Door Frame is Best?
    The main reason steel door frames are utilized is their strength and ability to withstand any kind of commercial building or door location. Although they are occasionally used, wood door frames are far less secure than steel ones. For this reason, steel door frames are frequently used with wood or steel commercial doors.
  • Which Door is Best for Rooms?
    Solid core, single-leaf interior doors are typically the best choice when it comes to privacy. Smaller rooms might benefit from styles with frosted glazing panels, but if keeping the outside world out of your space is your main concern, stay away from glazing.
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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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