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Doors, Doors, and More Doors
By Staff Writer

The main entrance to your home is of utmost importance. A solid and beautiful door adds appeal to any home. Besides the aesthetic aspect, it should protect you and your family from criminal elements as well.

There are many types of doors from which to choose. A uni-directional door is often used as a front door. It is hinged on one side and folds away from the doorway in only one direction. This can be either a single or double door with two adjacent panels hinged on each side of the doorway.

A swing door, which opens either outwards or inwards, may be used to divide the kitchen from the dining room. A louvre door is commonly used in bathrooms to allow proper ventilation and light to enter the interior area yet still preserving privacy.

A French door features multiple glass windows in the entire door. It is also known as a French window. When used as an exterior door, this may be made of double-pane glass for insulation purposes.

A sliding door is often made of glass and slides to open. Also known as an Arcadia door, it may also have a screen. This is commonly used for garden doors as well as in commercial establishments.

In the home, doors can be classified into the exterior door, interior door, garden or patio door and basement door. The front entry doors fall under the exterior door category and consists of many details such as door caps, locks, peep hole, exterior moldings and panels and windows or side lights. Front doors normally have a thickness of about 1 inch and measure three feet or more wide and six feet to eight feet high. The thickness of the door is vital as front doors function as weather protectors as well as sound reducers.

Interior doors create privacy in the rooms in the house and also isolate sound. For homes with central heating and cooling systems, an inch allowance between the floors and the bottom of the door is essential to allow air circulation and eliminate friction during the opening and closing of the door.

Garden or patio doors often open to the backyard. Qualities to look for when searching for this type of door are insulation, secure locking system, weather tightness and an appealing look. This type of portal usually has a large opening to allow the passage of large objects.

Hardwood and softwood are both great materials for doors. The specific type of wood to use, though, depends on which part of the house for where it will be used. Keep in mind that each wood has its strengths and weaknesses and while some are perfect for exterior applications, some are best used in the interior only. Mahogany and cedar are perfect for exterior front entry doors. Mahogany with its reddish-brown color is very durable and easy to work with.

Whatever you choose for your home, make sure you discuss the options with a professional to get all of the ins and outs.

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