Interior doors: is everything so simple with them?

Doors between different rooms in the house serve many functions. For example, they are protected from noise. Of course, this way it is only partially blocked. But still, the muttering of the TV in a closed room is less disturbing. They also, if necessary, block the path of odors, drafts, and light. And in addition, they ensure the inviolability of personal space.

In a word, this structural element is necessary in the apartment for purely practical reasons. But besides this, it also plays an important aesthetic role, participating in the formation of the interior. A well-chosen door is convenient and beautiful. But choosing the right door for yourself is not so easy. Let's figure out what moments you can't miss.

The type of opening matters

What does “well-chosen” mean? First of all, when choosing, you should look at the type of opening. This is the main characteristic that reflects the design of the product.

There are several types of doors based on the type of opening.

Swing

This option is most common. It is a solid rectangular sheet, with the help of hinged fasteners, attached to the side of the doorway. To open such a door, you need to pull the handle away from you or towards you.

• The downside of the swing design is that it requires free space to open.This is not always convenient, especially in small apartments and narrow corridors.
• Among the advantages of this solution are its availability, ease of installation, and harmonious combination with most artistic styles.

And some historical styles, whose homeland is Europe, do not look at all with other doors. For example, classicism, art deco, gothic, baroque.

Attention! It is recommended to install swing models in such a way that they open in the direction of movement from the apartment. This is necessary so that in the event of a fire a person can leave the premises as quickly as possible.

Sliding

This design is used in trains, airplanes, and wardrobes. It is a rectangular canvas moving parallel to the wall on special rollers. To open this, you need to pull it to the side.

• Among the disadvantages of this type of opening, the relative complexity of installation is usually mentioned.
• The main advantage is saving usable space in the room. Such doors, unlike swing doors, do not eat up a square meter of space in front of them.

From an artistic point of view, this type of opening is quite interesting. It fits especially well into modern styles: hi-tech, minimalism, eco-style.

Attention! For such a structure to function, it is necessary that next to the opening there is a wall no shorter in length than the opening itself. Otherwise, the door leaf will simply have nowhere to move.

This means that sliding opening cannot be used in a narrow end part of the corridor or for a group of doors located too close to each other.

Foldable

They are also called “accordions”. They are found relatively rarely, on glazed verandas, terraces, and in original design projects.This design consists of several narrow vertical rectangular panels, fastened together with movable hinges. They, like sliding doors, move sideways on rollers at the bottom, folding like an accordion.

• Among the disadvantages it is necessary to mention the complexity of installation, a modest selection of standard models in the store. And relatively low sound insulation characteristics.
• There are two significant advantages. Firstly, such a door takes up significantly less space than the most standard swing door. Secondly, the “accordion” always looks original.

Attention! This type of opening is well suited for large openings that usually require the use of several sashes.

As is easy to see from what was written above, the type of opening is of great importance.

What does the door material affect?

The raw materials from which the door is made determine its weight, appearance, and ability to protect against noise. There are 3 main types of materials from which this interior element is made. Each of them is characterized by its own set of pros and cons.

Tree

It can be a single piece of wood. Then among the advantages it will be necessary to name excellent protective characteristics, wonderful appearance, strength, and reliability. But there are also obvious disadvantages - heavy weight and price.

Or it could be wood-based materials - for example, particle boards. Their advantages are low cost, external resemblance to solid wood products, and relatively low weight. The disadvantages are fragility, not very impressive noise protection abilities.

Plastic

Modern plastic doors have a whole list of advantages:

• relatively low price;
• light weight;
• significant strength and resistance to damage;
• excellent soundproofing characteristics.

They lose only from one point of view - aesthetic. Many people think plastic is too cold and uncomfortable a solution. In addition, it does not combine well with historical styles and modern classics.

Glass

Glass enclosing structures allow maximum light to pass through. This is their main advantage. In terms of technical characteristics, they are inferior to doors made of other materials. And they are relatively difficult to install.

Attention! There are mixed types of models. For example, made of chipboard with glass inserts. Or having a wooden frame and plastic panels. Such options can be an excellent compromise, combining the advantages of different materials.

Meaning of correct installation

Even the most wonderful door, strong, reliable, and ideally matching the style of the interior, can turn out to be a disappointment if it is not installed correctly. “Wrong” in this case means unevenly, with a deviation from the vertical, with gaps. Such things can lead to rapid wear of the structure, creaking, deformation of hinges, hinges or rollers.

For effective long-term operation, proper installation is necessary. Usually the manufacturer offers such a service to its customers. But you can do everything yourself if you have an understanding of what needs to be done and how. And the corresponding skills.