Real timber doors can make any home seem traditional and welcoming, and wood can be very strong and solid so that your home's entryway is secure while still looking its best. When choosing timber doors for inside or outside your home, you want to shop carefully as you don't want a door that will eventually warp or crack, and may also want a door that you can easily repaint or stain again and again. Note a few simple tips for choosing timber doors for inside or outside your home.
1. Solid wood
A solid wood door (such as those offered by Johnston Joinery) may offer the most protection against a potential break-in as it's very difficult to simply kick through a solid wood door. These are more expensive than doors with wood fronts or veneers but are best for entryways because they're so thick and secure. Note that solid wood doors may eventually expand over time as they absorb the most humidity from outside, so be prepared to sand them down so they fit in the door frame properly.
2. Real wood veneer
A real wood veneer is a layer of real wood that is bonded to a material underneath. This offers the look of a solid wood door without the price tag, as the door only uses a small amount of actual wood. A veneer can also mean less warping over time as it won't absorb so much moisture. It can also be lighter than a solid wood door, so if you choose a heavy hardwood such as mahogany for the veneer, you won't need to worry if the doorframe can support the weight. This can be better for older homes where the wood of the doorframe may have weakened over time.
3. Foil veneer
This type of door doesn't actually use timber at all but uses a foil product that resembles wood. This is usually the lightest and most affordable product but since it's not real wood, it may not look exactly like a real wood door when you get close up.
4. Medium density fiberboard
Medium density fiberboard or MDF is a mixture of recycled wood pieces, held together with a type of glue. These doors are more porous than solid wood so they hold a coat of paint or stain better, and they may not need anything more than a light sanding when you're ready to treat them. However, they are often lightweight and may be easier to kick through since they're not made of solid wood but wood pieces, so they may work best for interior doors.
