In This Post
– Exterior vs Interior Doors
– Door types based on material
– Door types based on style
Are you in the market for a new door? If so, you’re probably already feeling overwhelmed with all the different styles and options available out there. Regardless of the types of doors you are considering, they all serve the same purpose, which is to provide privacy, safety, and security to the people living in a house. Thus, they need to be strong and difficult to break. However, one thing people tend to ignore is that doors also set the tone for the rest of your home décor. For instance, if your front door doesn’t look stylish or attractive, it can bring down the curb appeal of your property.
To put it simply, the type of doors you choose for your home not only impacts the level of security of your home but also affects its overall value and decor.
Since choosing the right type of door is not a decision you can take lightly, we’ve put together an ultimate guide on different door styles and types that are popular in Pakistan. Whether you are planning to build a house or renovating it, this is a must-read for all homeowners.
However, before we delve deeper into the different styles and types of doors in Pakistan, let’s take a brief look at the two main types of doors and their differences.
Differences between Exterior and Interior Doors
Now, we all know the main difference between these two types of doors. Exterior doors act as a gateway between the inside of your home and the exterior world and are commonly referred to as the front door. Meanwhile, interior doors, as the name implies, are present inside your home and only provide access to different rooms.
Although they might look almost alike in some instances, it is important to establish that these are two very different types of doors that cannot be used interchangeably. Even if their outer appearance is somewhat identical, you can be assured that their construction is not the same. While exterior doors are built specifically to withstand outside elements, frequent use, and brave different weather conditions, interior ones are only made to withstand usage within the house.
Here are a few other differences between interior and exterior doors that you should be aware of.
Material
Exterior doors are usually made of more than one material to ensure sturdiness, longevity, and durability, such as hardwood panels enclosed in a reinforced steel frame. On the other hand, interior doors usually comprise a single material, such as wood, glass, fibreglass, or MDF (medium-density fibreboard), among others. Also, a good majority of homeowners prefer using metal front doors for an added layer of security, but the same material is rarely used for interior doors.
Weight and thickness
Exterior doors are heavier, thicker, and denser than interior doors. Their core is always solid, and the presence of more than one material adds to their sturdiness and weight. Interior doors, meanwhile, are lighter and thinner compared to the front ones. The veneer is also relatively thinner.
Moreover, the core of interior doors can be solid, hollow, or honeycomb, depending on its quality and cost.
Appearance
Apart from the quality of the material, the appearance of both these doors matters as well.
There are different types of front doors available in the market, though most of them have decorative panels and other embellishments on their front-facing side only. The other side is mostly plain. Meanwhile, interior doors usually have a similar appearance or design on both sides.
Cost
One of the main differences between exterior and interior doors is their cost. Exterior doors are generally more expensive than the interior ones.
Popular Types of Doors Based on Materials
There are quite a few factors that may influence your decision while buying doors in Pakistan, or anywhere else for that matter. While security is always the top priority when choosing a door, you also have to make sure it matches the style and décor of your home, the material is suited to your climate, and more importantly, it fits your budget.
These are some of the most popular materials used for the construction of doors in Pakistan.
- Wood
- Metal
- Glass
- Fibreglass
- PVC
Let’s take a detailed look at these types of doors.
Wood
Given its strength, durability, and aesthetics, solid wood is considered a popular choice for both exterior and interior doors.
Wooden doors are usually constructed of a single solid slab or panels and frames. They are generally resistant to dents, heavier than doors made of most other materials, long-lasting, and have excellent sound-proofing abilities. Since wood is a good insulator, doors made of this material are also great at keeping your home warm in winters and cool in summer.
Using well-designed wooden doors both inside and outside your home can increase its resale value, along with making your décor look expensive and luxurious.
However, wooden doors require regular upkeep and maintenance as they are prone to termite infestation. Depending on the weather condition, wooden doors may also warp, contract, and expand, resulting in cracks. They are also a little more expensive than most other types of doors available in the market, though their timeless appeal and unlimited design options make them a worthy investment.
Nonetheless, if you are looking for cheaper alternatives to wooden doors that look just like the real thing, you can consider buying engineered doors for the interior of your home. For further clarification on the topic, take a look at our in-depth comparison between solid and engineered wood doors.
Metal doors
Steel is a common material used for the construction of houses in Pakistan. It’s also a popular choice for exterior as well as interior doors, owing to its resilience and durability. While most exterior doors consist of both wood and steel, a large number of homeowners in Pakistan prefer using steel instead of wood for their front doors, as it is easier to maintain and considerably stronger. Steel interior doors are also highly sought-after among homeowners.
Furthermore, doors made out of steel either have a solid or a hollow core. The material is also used to construct door frames.
Steel doors are also relatively less expensive than their wooden counterparts. They are also easy to paint, available in a wide range of designs, and require minimum upkeep.
Glass Doors
Glass doors are ideal for interior use. They are usually enclosed in a stainless steel or aluminium frame and can be frosted or clear, depending on your personal preference and home décor.
One of the main advantages of opting for glass doors is that they do not corrode, warp, swell, rust, or peel off due to harsh weather conditions. They are also unlikely to be infested with termite of any other type of insects. The humidity in the air does not affect glass doors either.
Installing glass doors is a particularly good idea for small homes, as the glass can visually open up your space, making the rooms look more spacious than they actually are. They also add beauty and charm to your décor by allowing the light to filter through them.
On the flip side, glass doors are not ideal for homes with small children as they can break due to a strong blow. Moreover, you would also need to cover these doors with curtains on blinds to ensure the privacy of your home.
Glass doors are generally very budget-friendly, though the price varies with the quality.
Fibreglass doors
Compared to wood and steel, fibreglass doors are relatively modern. They are also quickly gaining popularity among homeowners and are considered a durable alternative to wooden doors.
These types of doors are made of glass fibres and reinforced plastic material bonded with resin. Its core consists of polyurethane insulating foam. Fibreglass can be moulded into any shape and is used to produce a wide range of products, such as windows, bathtubs, auto body parts, and even boats. It mimics the appearance of wood and can be as strong as steel. Fibreglass doors do not warp, contract, or expand. This material is also visually appealing, doesn’t require much upkeep, and can be used for both exterior and interior doors.
Compared to the cost of wooden doors in Pakistan, fibreglass is slightly cheaper. One of the major cons of buying fibreglass doors is that it is almost impossible to trim its size to fit the door frame. Moreover, compared to wooden, glass, and steel doors, these types of doors are a little difficult to install and remove.
PVC Doors
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is also a modern and increasingly popular choice to construct interior doors in Pakistan. These doors look just like wood but are considerably cheaper and lighter than the real thing. So, if you are looking for affordable types of doors that can enhance the visual appeal of your home without breaking the bank, PVC is probably your best bet. The doors made of this material have high durability as they are resistant to corrosion, termite infestation, swelling, and contracting. They can withstand moisture and humidity, have good insulation properties, and are recyclable.
Moreover, PVC doors are low-maintenance. You can simply clean them clean with a cloth to make them look as good as new. They are also easy to install and don’t weigh much. Apart from being considered one of the best materials for interior doors in Pakistan, they are also a popular choice for windows in Pakistan.
However, one of the most significant drawbacks to installing PVC doors in your home is that it doesn’t hold nails, screws, and other hardware very well. The damage caused during hardware installation is also almost impossible to repair. Harsh sunlight may also cause discolouration in PVC doors. Compared to wooden doors, those made of polyvinyl chloride are not as aesthetically pleasing and strong.
Popular Types of Doors Based on Style
Now that we’ve discussed the widely-used materials used to construct both interior and exterior doors in Pakistan, let’s take a look at different styles of doors
- Panel doors
- Flush doors
- Hinged doors
- Folding doors
- Sliding door
Panel doors
This is the classic style used for wooden doors in Pakistan.
As the name suggests, panel doors consist of wooden panels that are usually installed between three vertical stiles and three to four horizontal rails of solid wood. Since they are relatively difficult to construct, panel doors cost slightly more than other types of wooden doors. These doors add a touch of elegance to your home décor and make your space look lavish.
However, given their sturdiness and durability, you can consider them a long-term investment to maintain your property’s resale value.
Panel doors are aesthetically appealing and available in a number of different designs. They also hold nails, screws, and other hardware better than most types of doors.
Flush door
Unlike panel doors, flush doors are flat on both sides and do not contain any panels. These doors consist of strips of solid wood and particleboard placed side by side inside a timber frame. The outer layer is mostly made up of plywood sheets, veneer, laminate, or MDF. The edges are usually lipped with hardwood. Their cores are either solid, hollow, or cellular.
Although flush doors are less expensive than panel doors, they are not as popular as the latter. One of the main reasons behind this is that flush doors are only available in limited designs and feature a plain surface of both sides, making them less visually appealing than their counterparts.
However, if you are looking for an affordable option, then flush doors are a great choice as they boast similar properties as to those present in panel doors.
Hinged Doors
Operation-wise, hinged doors are the most common types of doors in Pakistan, as well as the rest of the world. They comprise either a panel or flush door that has one end attached to a door jamb with two or more hinges. The other end of the door swings open and closes when applied pressure.
Doors in wooden cabinets in Pakistan are usually of the hinged variety as well.
Folding doors
While hinged doors stay in their enclosed space, folding or bi-folding doors can fold inwards or outwards to open up space. They usually consist of glass or wooden panels enclosed in aluminium, steel, or timber frames. Typically, folding doors consist of two to four doors placed edge to edge in a manner that they stack up against the wall when they are opened. These doors are ideal for interior use, though you may also use them as patio or garden doors.
If you have a connecting living room and kitchen, you can install folding doors to carve out each zone without cutting down on the space.
Sliding door
Apart from hinged doors, sliding doors are one of the most common types of doors used in residential buildings. These doors are made of a fixed panel that is placed inside a steel or aluminium track and then attached to two hangers. You can simply slide it back and forth to open and close it. Though depending on your usage and décor, you can opt for both single and double sliding doors.
Pocket doors are also a rather popular type of sliding doors. They are ideal for small spaces and entryways, as the panel completely slides into the wall recess when opened, saving up on space.
Aluminium, wood, glass, and PVS are all great choices to construct sliding door panels.
So, that was all you needed to know about different styles and types of doors in Pakistan. You can also take a look at our detailed guide on how to fix squeaky doors all by yourself. In addition, don’t forget to check out the rates and types of wooden flooring in Pakistan.
To learn more about different construction materials and home décor options, stay connected to Zameen Blog – the best construction and real estate blog in Pakistan. You can also send us your queries and comments on blog@zameen.com. Last but not least, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates about the latest construction, property, and lifestyle trends in Pakistan.
