Door types and styles

If you're not sure what kind of door you need/want, we can help you make that decision. This section explains the most common door types and styles. We work with many distributors so that we're able to fill custom and bulk orders. So no matter what kind of door you need, the Doorhanger Company can get it for you.

 

Where is it and what is it used for?
The door selection process begins with these two questions. Once you've answered these, then you can decide on the type and style.

Where is it? - If it's an interior door, you might be able to use a hollow core composite door. These come in a variety of styles. They are light weight and the least expensive type. Bedrooms and bathrooms most often use hollow core doors. If security or soundproofing are a concern, a solid core will do.

 

If it's an exterior door then you'll want to choose a solid core composite, metal, wood panel or hybrid door. These all come in various styles and offer different looks.

 

What is it used for? - A side door to the garage should be secure but doesn't necessarily need a fancy look. Your front door should be secure and should also look great. Bedroom and bathroom doors should match. A hallway door in an apartment building should have a particular fire rating.

 

Residential Door Styles

Panel Doors These doors are constructed of wooden rails, stiles and toggles, which are technical terms for the sides, top, botttom and center supports. There are no windows in these doors.
French Doors Similar to panel doors, these feature glass where panels would be. Standard french doors are one lite (one large pane of tempered glass 8 inches narrower and 14 inches shorter than the door), 5, 10 and 15 lite (in the same space as the one lite glass, divided by narrow wooden mullions). Used to bring light or view into a house or room, these doors are pleasing, but risky in high-crime areas due to the ease of entry through broken glass.
Steel-Wood Hybrid Doors Made in a variety of configurations, these doors are normally sold prehung (complete with frame), which means we will need to rip out your existing door jamb in addition to your door. The doors themselves are constructed of a wooden frame with steel sheeting clamped to the frame. Inside the assembly is stiff polyurethane foam for insulation. These doors are light and strong, but the steel sheet is thin enough to crease if furniture bangs into it, and there is no effective repair for that. Good for doors separating garage from the house, or as a side or rear entry to garages or homes. Fiberglass-Wood Hybrid Doors Have the same pros and cons, and assembly, as the steel-wood hybrid doors, but the two faces are fiberglass sheets which are completely waterproof and do not crease. The down side-- they are more expensive.
Decorative Doors The main entry is your guest's first impression of your home. These doors come in an almost limitless variety of styles incorporating panels, lites, beveled or stained glass and carvings or inlays into their design.
Architectural Doors An even higher grade of doors, usually custom built and always expensive. These doors are designed to complement the style of your building, from French Provincial to Post Modern. We are allied with many competent artisans who can design and build your door, which we then install with loving care.
Security Doors An even higher grade of doors, usually custom built and always expensive. These doors are designed to complement the style of your building, from French Provincial to Post Modern. We are allied with many competent artisans who can design and build your door, which we then install with loving care.

 

Commercial Door Styles

 

Aluminum Glass Doors Usually found on walk-in business establishments or large secured apartment buildings, these strong doors are made of extruded aluminum rails with a large tempered center pane of glass. They are self closing open on pivots rather than hinges, and the locking mechanism can be adjusted for a number of conditions.

Fire Doors (Wood and Steel) These doors are meant to satisfy local fire codes for public hallways, stairwells and egress doors. Wooden fire doors feature a core of fire-resistant material, and can be faced in hardboard or wood grain Steel fire doors are of welded all-steel construction, with central channels spot-welded to the faces for rigidity. All fire doors come in 20 minute and 1 hour varieties-- consult with local fire codes before ordering, or check the label on the door to be replaced, usually found on the hinge side or top of the door. 20 minute and 1 hour refer to how long a fire can rage against the door before failure.