How to Choose Between Interior Hollow-Core Doors and Solid-Core Doors?

At first glance, it may seem like an easy choice to decide between solid-core doors, and hollow-core doors. After all, from across the room, they all look about the same, and hollow doors are by far the most economical choice. So problem solved; purchase hollow doors and move on, right? Well, maybe not. When making your selection, we recommend you consider the budget you’re working with, the look you are trying to achieve, the space the door will be installed in, and how it will function.

Hollow-Core Doors

Hollow-Core Doors are the most economical solution when choosing new doors. Typically, hollow doors will have some honeycombing or other structural system in place to give the door a bit more integrity. However, not all hollow core doors are created equal. At TimberTown, we do our best to source quality products, and we want to make sure that you are getting the best bang for your buck. But generally, a cheaper price will mean a sacrifice in quality. Let us help you get the most out of your budget.

Hollow doors are perfect for every room in your house from room entries, closets, pantries, bedrooms and other non-private spaces because they’re affordable and very lightweight. It’s only when someone knocks on a hollow door or opens it that they experience how light the door feels in the hand. These doors offer little in the way of sound reduction, but your towels and flour are hardly going to be throwing a party.

Solid-Core Doors

Solid-Core Doors are made with a composite core and either a veneer or two molded skins. They cost more than hollow doors but are a good compromise of budget and quality. The composite material in the core of these doors is super dense and offers superior sound reduction and increased fire resistance. In fact, solid-core doors offer 70% more sound-dampening material than our standard hollow core doors. They’re also less sensitive to humidity than solid wood doors and offer the heft and feel of quality.

Solid-core doors are a great option for all your interior doors, but they’re a particularly good choice for rooms where noise reduction is important, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, the home office, or even a home library. They are generally available in the same styles as hollow-core doors so you can have consistency in your interior design. Solid-core doors can be ordered with a fire rating if requested. Solid-core doors can be twice as heavy as hollow-core doors, so you’ll probably need a partner to help keep the door steady while you install it!

At TimberTown we also carry a variety of solid-core shaker doors made from MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) They have the added weight similar to a solid-core door that features simple square indents. They have a modern minimalist look with clean straight lines in the design. You may recognize the name shaker door which is often referencing cabinetry such as kitchen and bar cabinets, but shaker doors can also be made for interior doors. For interior doors this is a simple and timeless design that provides flat edges and clean lines to the door. These doors come from one panel to five panel designs.

When it comes to choosing your doors, keep in mind that, while consistency is often desired, they don’t all have to the same! You can choose hollow-core doors for closets and storage areas, and solid-core doors for other rooms. You may even opt for a feature door to accent a wall or space. They are perfect for Barn Doors as the added weight makes it slide easily on the track. The important thing is to balance your budget with your home’s aesthetic and your own personal preferences. If you have purchased a door from TimberTown that’s a little too tall or too wide, we can be restyle it in either height or width. So, if you have questions about doors or need some advice in regards to which doors would best suit your needs, call or swing by the TimberTown location nearest to you!