Doors range in construction and materials based on what kind of door it is (interior, exterior, commercial, entry unit, etc.) and how much money the customer would like to spend (solid wood doors are obviously more expensive than hollow core doors.) Below is a list of common materials and their advantages when used in a door.

The most common materials are marked with a star and have pictures next to them.

Aluminum

Aluminum is often used in conjuction with steel in constructing a door. Aluminum is 1/3 the weight of steel, is more attractive and easier to finish or paint. It is also non-magnetic, meaning that it would be a better choice in a magnet factory than a steel door. ;)

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are becoming a very popular alternative to wood and steel doors. Fiberglass doors are energy efficient, durable and can come in a variety of styles and finishes. Fiberglass offers 5X the insulation of wood (using a solid polyurethane foam core), and fiberglass doors won't warp or split. Fiberglass doors can also be manufacturered to be tougher than steel and won't dent, rust or corrode.

Glass

Glass is often a desirable addition to an entry door of a home. It adds beauty and elegance and lets light through. It comes in a huge variety of patterns, materials, designs, etc. For more detailed information please visit our Glass section.

Mirrors

Although not very common, some manufacturers produce interior doors with a mirror on one side. This eliminates the need to hang a mirror on the wall behind the door. A very useful addition to a door. Mirrors are also commonly used in waredrobe doors.

Particle Board

Particle board is made by gluing chips and particles of wood together and pressing them into sheets. It is a common core used inside of doors because it's economical to manufacture and sell and provides a solid core.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane foam is often used as the core of fiberglass doors. It provides a solid feel, is a very good thermal insulator and enhances a door's soundproofing. Polyurethane foam used in the construction of doors is 100% CFC and HCFC-free which means that it won't harm the ozone layer and complies with U.S. environmental standards.

Steel

Steel is normally used in commercial applications or for a durable front entry door to a home (although it would be painted or stained.) It's benefits include:

• Resistance: Stainless steel resists oxidation, acids and other harsh chemicals found in commercial environments. It can also resist fire and high temperature environments.

• Easy to clean, low maintenance: In strict hygeine environments such as hospitals steel is used because it is easy to clean and disenfect. Stainless steel doesn't need to be painted or stained and is very attractive unfinished.

• Strength: Steel is a tough door material - it is hard to dent, scratch or hurt compared to wood or other materials.

• Economical: Steel doors are very economical and last a very long time. Possibly longer than the building itself!

When you think of a door, you think of wood. It provides an elegence that no other material can match. Hollow wood doors are normally used on the interior of a home, and solid core or pure solid wood as exterior doors or entry units.

Solid wood doors are the most expensive and luxurious of all wooden doors. They are made from a solid wooden slab and have no "core." They provide excellent protection against intruders, as they have a high resistance to forced entry and can be easy machined to accept a wide variety of locks, deadbolts and other hardware.

Benefits include:

• Beauty: Wood has a beautiful natural grain, figure and color. It can be painted or stained to harmonize with any decorative treatment. The many styles available in wood doors add to the interior or exterior beauty and design of any building.

• Insulation: Solid wood provides better insulation than steel or aluminum. Wood is 400X more effective than steel and 1,800X more effective than aluminum.

• Finishing: Wood doors can be stained or painted to match the interior decor of a home, and can be finished to keep up with changing color schemes.

• Quiet: Solid core wood doors have excellent resiliency and sound absorbing qualities.

• Cleanliness: Wood doors will not rust or corrode, maintaining their beauty with simple washing. Wood doors withstand the salty air of seaside locations, and even the acid-fumes of industrial areas.

Molded wood fibers doors are economic doors normally made with a hollow core and used as interior doors. They mimic the look of a painted wooden door.