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Door Types

 
 

Introduction

Unlike Glass and UPVC doors, which are mounted on a pre-built frame to match the size of the door space, wooden doors are constructed in one of three ways; Flush, Panelled or Ledged & Braced. Each construction method looks very different to the other two, thereore the choose is very much down to ones design preference.

Flush doors

A Flush Door

Flush doors are those with a completely flat surface. They are un-panelled and have no trim around the edge.

These are manufactured from a softwood frame which is concealed by sheets of plywood or hardboard. A surface veneer may also be added if the door is to retain a more natural wood-look.

Detail of a Flush Door

Flush doors are most often used internally, when their hollow-core will be filled with corrugated cardboard. Heavier external flush doors will include a central horizontal rail to allow a letter box to be included, and the remainder of the core may be filled with hardwood blocks, particleboard or fibreboard.

The frame of a fire-resistant flush door is filled with solid fire-retardant material.



As there is only ever one lock block inside each door, it is imperative to hang the door the right way round.

Look at the bottom edge of the door to find out which side the lock block is on.

what's good
  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to sand and paint
what's not so good
  • Plain appearance
  • Must be hung in correct orientation
  • Can be dented if kicked

Flush doors should not be planed to significantly alter size or shape to fit a doorway, as the thin veneer is easily removed to expose hollow centre.

Panelled doors

A Panelled Door

Panelled doors are put together using a frame of vertical stiles and horizontal rails of softwood or hardwood, that are connected by mortise and tenon joints (using wedges), or dowel joints in cheaper versions.

This framework then supports wooden panels which can be flat, bevelled or fielded, or louvered slats or glass. A panelled door can include anything from a single large panel, to in excess of 24 small panels, so these doors are available in a wide variety of styles.

This construction tends to minimise any swelling, warping or shrinking that the wood may undergo with variations in humidity.


what's good
  • Available in a wide range of styles
  • Resistant to warping
  • Strong and secure construction
  • Can be planed to fit doorway
what's not so good
  • More expensive than alternatives
  • Tricky to sand panel edges

Ledged & Braced doors

Front of a Ledged & Braced Door

Ledged & braced doors hark back to traditional methods of door manufacture, and as such have a traditional, rustic look. They are usually constructed of a Z-shaped frame, on which interlocking tongue-and-groove boards are mounted. Framed ledged & braced doors are also available for a more robust structure.

These doors are becoming increasingly popular for fitting in internal doorways inside cottages, but their style does limit their relevance to more modern properties, and as such are more commonly found on outbuildings or as gates.

Rear of a Ledged & Braced Door

This type of door is only as thick as the boards used to make it (usually up to 25mm (1in)), therefore hinges that are strong enough to support the weight must be considered when opting for this particular ‘look’. Suitable hinges are band and gudgeon, large tee or strap hinges, and they must be mounted on the surface of the door.

External doors, which ledged & braced doors usually are, are manufactured with an 18% moisture content, whereas doors for internal use have a 10% moisture content.



If you do plan to hang ledged & braced doors internally, make sure you buy ones that have been manufactured for this purpose.

what's good
  • Cheap
  • Strong construction
  • Can be planed to fit doorway
what's not so good
  • More expensive for internal version
  • Little variation in design
  • Require surface-mounted hinges

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