The Importance of Internal and External Doors

The Importance of Internal and External Doors

Doors play a critical role in the overall design of your home. They ensure privacy and security whilst contributing to the aesthetic harmony of the space.
In the UK, most internal doors open inward. This helps to prevent unwanted entry and meet building regulations.
Internal doors are primarily constructed from lighter materials to accommodate their function as room dividers. In contrast, external doors must be able to withstand weather conditions and safeguard against external elements.
Durability
When purchasing commercial doors, durability is essential to ensure the protection and security of your business. Choosing the right type of door depends on the intended purpose, the environment and the risks involved in your industry. It’s important to speak with an experienced door specialist like Larnec Doors for guidance. We provide a wide range of industrial doors to suit all industries, including manufacturing and warehouses.
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A good quality door should be strong enough to withstand the elements, which is why exterior doors are built with more durable materials than interior ones. They are crafted to withstand the rain, wind, snow and UV rays while providing a barrier between inside and outside spaces. As such, they are usually thicker than interior doors and may have a solid core or a steel-lined wood composite.
In addition, modern external doors have a higher level of insulation than their predecessors. This helps to control the flow of climate-controlled air around the building, reducing drafts and saving energy costs. Aside from being energy-efficient, these types of doors are also highly durable and require little maintenance.
Due to their heavy-duty design meant to withstand harsh weather conditions, exterior doors tend to be more expensive than interior ones. Although it’s tempting to swap interior doors for exterior ones in order to save money, doing so can be risky. Exterior doors are designed for their specific purposes, and using them indoors can result in damage, reduced insulation and increased energy bills.
While interior doors are a good choice for businesses located in a warm climate, they can’t be used as external doors as they lack the necessary features to withstand harsh weather conditions. For instance, they do not have weather strips or thresholds that protect against water infiltration and air leakage. In addition, they do not have the insulating properties that make them suitable for use in cold or humid environments.
Security
A door isn’t something that gets a lot of attention when it comes to home improvement projects, but it serves an important function and can help make a house feel more secure. Doors protect us from the elements, uninvited guests or burglars and serve to keep rooms separate and safe from each other. When choosing a new front door, the first thing you need to consider is its security capabilities.
A sturdy door is vital to keeping your home safe and it’s important that it’s made of solid materials that can stand up to a lot of force. The frame of the door can also help to increase a door’s strength. A metal frame is usually a good choice as it can be strengthened with additional supports around the lock area to prevent it from being kicked in.
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The type of lock on a door can be another factor that influences its security. A mortice lock is a strong option as it slots into a boxed strike plate in the door frame. This can help to add an extra layer of security as it makes it hard for someone to kick in the door, especially if you choose one with decorative bars. A rimlock is another strong option as it sits inside the frame and is secured with a key-turn latch, making it more difficult for burglars to break in.
Interior doors don’t need to be as secure as external ones, but they should offer some degree of protection within the confines of a room. This can include features such as a privacy locks or frosted film that blurs what’s behind the door to stop intruders from being able to view items or people inside the home.
A modern exterior door is generally more secure than older wooden doors as they can be designed with improved locking mechanisms and wider angle peepholes. They can be reinforced with additional security elements like wider angle steel frames or have a layered design that’s harder to break into. Adding extra features to a door like key code access, finger print scanning or a smart lock can also enhance your home’s security.
Insulation
Adding door insulation to your home is a great way to reduce heating and cooling costs. Insulation helps to regulate indoor temperatures and minimises drafts, creating a comfortable and more energy-efficient living environment. It also acts as a deterrent to moisture, preventing it from damaging your doors and surrounding walls and floors.
Choosing the right type of insulation for your door is important. The best insulation for Internal doors Dundee doors is a solid or engineered timber option, as this will offer the most draught-repelling properties. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly solution, look for hollow core options. These are crafted from a honeycomb cardboard core with a wood veneer or MDF skin. They are cheaper than solid-core doors, but they don’t offer the same thermal or sound insulation as more expensive options.
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When insulating an external door, it’s important to take into consideration its size and location. An external door is exposed to the elements and must be able to withstand snow, rain, hail, sun and UV radiation, so it requires superior insulating capabilities. The main insulation for exterior doors is foam, and this can be installed in various thicknesses to suit your home’s climate conditions.
A common type of foam insulation is polystyrene, which contains an average of 75% post-industrial recycled content. It is also resistant to fire, moisture and mould growth. Another option is mineral wool insulation, which is ideal for areas prone to wildfires.
Before you start the insulation process, make sure that you have all of the necessary materials. The exact materials you need will depend on your specific needs, but general tools include a measuring tape, utility knife and screwdriver or drill. You’ll also need to remove any existing weatherstripping or door sweeps, as these will need to be replaced before installing new insulation.
Firstly, assess the door and its frame for any gaps or cracks. This will allow you to seal these areas before applying insulation. You can use silicone to fill smaller cracks and gaps, or install a door sweep at the bottom of the frame to prevent air flow and keep the internal temperature stable. If you have any glass panels in your door, install a rubber gasket to seal them.
Aesthetics
Whether you’re designing a new home or renovating existing spaces, your doors can help establish the overall aesthetic of the space. The choice of style and material, as well as how your doors are positioned within the structure of your house, all impact the look of the entire property. As functional transition points between rooms, interior doors offer a canvas on which homeowners can express their personal taste and style. They can be crafted in a wide variety of materials, with a host of panel configurations and decorative elements available to choose from. Door knobs and handles can also be selected to either blend seamlessly or stand out as distinctive design elements, bringing their own distinct style into the room.
A range of finishes are also available for interior doors, with solid wood options providing a natural, warm look that can complement almost any interior design. They are typically hung using hinges, and can be framed by casing or a jamb. The side of the door that faces the exterior is usually fitted with ornate decoration, while the inside face may be plain. Some solid wood doors feature traditional paneled designs, with vertical members called stiles separated by horizontal ones known as rails. Alternatively, doors can be made from engineered wood products such as Masonite and MDF that are molded into a traditional profile. These doors are known as lite or "flush" doors, as they do not feature the traditional frame of stiles and rails that would allow for solid wood to expand and contract with changes in humidity.
Exterior doors, on the other hand, must take into consideration how much privacy you want from passers-by and the surrounding landscape. You might decide to incorporate glass elements into your back doors or a sliding option that allows you to enjoy the outdoor view without sacrificing privacy and security. The type of material you select can also affect the look of your home, with steel or aluminium offering a sleek and modern finish that suits many architectural styles.
Minimalist doors are clean and simple, with a focus on functionality and streamlined lines. They work best in contemporary houses, but can also add a timeless appeal to a classic or vintage home. Organic wood doors reflect the Scandinavian principles of hygge and lagom, with their natural textures and tone contributing to a calming ambiance.