The interior design of a room is no longer restricted to the wall
colour, accents and furniture – today you can make a real impact by
installing beautiful interior doors in your home.
A beautiful door is one of those subtle necessities that can make a big
difference in your home’s style, says Charl Jacobz from Swartland
Wooden Windows and Doors. “Like trim or mouldings, most doors go fairly
unnoticed, but if chosen correctly, they can have a dramatic impact on
the overall appearance of a room or interior space.”
He says that an interior door is a vital part of any indoor space and that great care must be shown when making your selection.
If you are building, renovating or just looking to upgrade the look of an interior space, picking new interior doors is an important step, he says. He explains that style, the type of door, materials, energy efficiency and door hardware are just a few of the things that need to be carefully considered before a choice can be made.
Charl provides the following pointers to make your selection of interior doors a little easier:
A question of style
When it comes to choosing your interior doors, it is important to choose a style that will complement the overall architectural and décor of your home.
If your home is traditional or a period style, then you should choose similarly traditional and classically styled doors, such as cottage-pane, French or panelled doors for example. However, if you have a more contemporary home, then the interior doors should reflect this as well – for example, flush, angular doors sit very well in sleek, modern interiors, as do fully glazed doors.
When it comes to door styles, Charl says you can mix-n-match a little, but be sure to keep some elements the same so that there is a flow throughout. Ideally, he advises that all the interior doors should match one another – in fact, one of the biggest trends today is to pair interior doors with your choice of exterior doors to create a seamless and harmonious flow throughout your home.
“Swartland for example, offers several ranges of interior and exterior doors that homeowners can mix and match to find their ideal combination.”
Type of interior doors
There is a wide variety of different types of interior doors on the
market, and as such, Charl says that it is important for the homeowner
to consider each space before making a decision on the type of door that
should be installed there – consider how big the room is, how much
swing area you have, is it a dark or light space, and so on. Generally
speaking – there are a number of different types of doors, the main ones
include:
Sliding doors: The majority of these doors are used for closet or cabinetry doors, but they can also be used as doors for entryways too. They take up a minimal amount of space because they slide along each other or the wall, rather than swinging open. They are an optimal choice for very small and cramped areas.
Cavity sliding doors: These doors are another great
space-saving option – they are similar to sliding doors, but instead of
sliding back on one another or along the wall, they actually slide into
the wall. Cavity doors are greatly admired for their space-saving
characteristics, as well as for their convenient out-of-sight
aesthetic.
Folding doors: Otherwise known as concertina or stack doors, these doors have become exceptionally popular for opening indoor spaces to the outdoors, such as opening up a living area onto an outdoor patio. However, they are also popularly used in interior spaces as well – when open, they can help create a wonderfully free-flowing open-plan layout, but when closed, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of closed-off, separate living spaces as well.
Flush doors: These are simple, contemporary doors that are smooth on both sides and a great option for modern homes.
Panel doors: These are very popular types of doors
seen in homes today – they are of a standard shape and designed with
classic pattern or square panels.
French doors: Exceptionally popular as external doors, French doors can also be used for internal applications. They complement a wide variety of decor and architectural styles and they can be used to maximise the light in a room. French doors comprise a frame around one or more transparent panels of glass or wood, and if glass is used it can be filled with either clear or opaque glass.
Dutch doors: Dutch doors are divided in half horizontally, allowing the top half to swing open, while the bottom half stays closed. These are not very popular for indoor applications, but they have been known to be used for kitchen and living areas.
Top trends
Charl says interior doors no longer have to be merely functional and boring – in fact today, consumers are looking for doors that stand out from the rest as a feature in their own right.
He provides the following top trends in interior doors today:
Going organic: The influence of nature in design and architecture has never been stronger – a trend that is clearly reflected in the choice of natural looking finishes being used in abundance throughout homes today. Solid timber finishes are at an all-time high due to the organically inspired aesthetic they imbue, and solid wood doors are no exception. The natural knots and grain of a wood finish can add great character and life to wooden doors – a character that certainly has mass appeal.
The use of glass: Modern doors seem to include increasingly more glass in their designs – from clear glass, to opaque glass and even decorative coloured glass or stained glass inserts or panels for a more traditional look. Doors with oversized glass inserts have never been more popular for their classic styling and the extra light they transmit. Part of the popularity of glass in doors is due to the improved insulation qualities of the glass being used. Doors with glass often used to mean problematic leaks and drafts, however, this has all changed now – today’s doors boast double-glazed insulation and glass with excellent insulation qualities. For spaces where privacy is an issue, obscured glass can be used so as to still let light through.
Oversized doors: Volume is another key trend in
today’s doors – architects and builders seem to be expanding the height
and width of doorways to create a more dramatic effect. No longer simply
a door – a door system in the living area for example, might include a
single door or pair of doors, sidelights and transom to create an
impressive focal point. Oversized doors are also bang on trend –
Swartland for example offers a range of oversized doors that can be
bought off-shelf, or they can custom-make doors to suit your individual
preferences and specifications for a signature look that reflects its
own unique character.
Environmentally friendly doors: There has been a huge surge in consumer demand for green building products – a trend that Swartland takes very seriously. For example, Swartland uses a process of cold glue pressing when manufacturing plain hollow core doors, as opposed to a process of heat fusion, as well as using timber from renewable sources. They also kiln-dry their timber so that it has an 8% moisture content – this ensures that the wood is in perfect balance with local atmospheric conditions, thereby stabilising the timber and minimising movement or warping to ensure maximum durability and longevity.
Other considerations
Door framing: Charl says framing a door incorrectly can quickly detract from its value and beauty – even when it comes to the most expensive door. Using cheap framing materials or construction shortcuts can often lead to damaging the door, and the cost of fixing this will usually end up being more than just investing in a good quality door frame in the first place. As such, it is highly advisable to consider purchasing pre-hung doors or door frames that have been purpose-built for your particular choice of door.
Solid wood versus MDF (medium density fibreboard): Solid wood costs more, but looks great. However, Charl says that if you are intending to paint your interior doors, then MDF is a better and more affordable option – it is an engineered product, so it’s very stable. It also doesn’t have any grain, so it is entirely smooth and very easy to paint.
Door hardware: Choosing mismatched door hardware can really ruin the overall aesthetic of any door. Charl suggests that you choose door hardware that suits the style of the door in question – for example, sleek stainless steel handles or knobs would suit contemporary doors, while crystal or brass knobs look better on the more traditional and elaborately styled doors. Also, if your choice of door is pre-hung, then carefully consider the quality of the door hardware included, such as the hinges and locks for example.
“Your internal doors are the very first point of contact on entering a room – you see them close up, you touch them, plus they form the background of any interior scheme, and as such, their importance should never be overlooked,” says Charl. – Antonella Desi
“Like trim or mouldings, most doors go fairly unnoticed, but if chosen
correctly, they can have a dramatic impact on the overall appearance of
a room or interior space.”
He says that an interior door is a vital part of any indoor space and that great care must be shown when making your selection.
If you are building, renovating or just looking to upgrade the look of an interior space, picking new interior doors is an important step, he says. He explains that style, the type of door, materials, energy efficiency and door hardware are just a few of the things that need to be carefully considered before a choice can be made.
Charl provides the following pointers to make your selection of interior doors a little easier:
When it comes to choosing your interior doors, it is important to
choose a style that will complement the overall architectural and décor
of your home.
When it comes to choosing your interior doors, it is important to choose a style that will complement the overall architectural and décor of your home.
If your home is traditional or a period style, then you should choose similarly traditional and classically styled doors, such as cottage-pane, French or panelled doors for example. However, if you have a more contemporary home, then the interior doors should reflect this as well – for example, flush, angular doors sit very well in sleek, modern interiors, as do fully glazed doors.
When it comes to door styles, Charl says you can mix-n-match a little, but be sure to keep some elements the same so that there is a flow throughout. Ideally, he advises that all the interior doors should match one another – in fact, one of the biggest trends today is to pair interior doors with your choice of exterior doors to create a seamless and harmonious flow throughout your home.
“Swartland for example, offers several ranges of interior and exterior doors that homeowners can mix and match to find their ideal combination.”
Type of interior doors
Sliding doors are an optimal choice for small and cramped areas.
Sliding doors: The majority of these doors are used for closet or cabinetry doors, but they can also be used as doors for entryways too. They take up a minimal amount of space because they slide along each other or the wall, rather than swinging open. They are an optimal choice for very small and cramped areas.
The influence of nature in design and architecture has never been
stronger – a trend that is clearly reflected in the choice of natural
looking finishes being used in abundance throughout homes today.
Folding doors: Otherwise known as concertina or stack doors, these doors have become exceptionally popular for opening indoor spaces to the outdoors, such as opening up a living area onto an outdoor patio. However, they are also popularly used in interior spaces as well – when open, they can help create a wonderfully free-flowing open-plan layout, but when closed, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of closed-off, separate living spaces as well.
Flush doors: These are simple, contemporary doors that are smooth on both sides and a great option for modern homes.
Modern doors seem to include increasingly more glass in their designs –
from clear glass, to opaque glass and even decorative coloured glass or
stained glass inserts or panels for a more traditional look
French doors: Exceptionally popular as external doors, French doors can also be used for internal applications. They complement a wide variety of decor and architectural styles and they can be used to maximise the light in a room. French doors comprise a frame around one or more transparent panels of glass or wood, and if glass is used it can be filled with either clear or opaque glass.
Dutch doors: Dutch doors are divided in half horizontally, allowing the top half to swing open, while the bottom half stays closed. These are not very popular for indoor applications, but they have been known to be used for kitchen and living areas.
Top trends
Charl says interior doors no longer have to be merely functional and boring – in fact today, consumers are looking for doors that stand out from the rest as a feature in their own right.
Solid wood costs more, but looks great.
Going organic: The influence of nature in design and architecture has never been stronger – a trend that is clearly reflected in the choice of natural looking finishes being used in abundance throughout homes today. Solid timber finishes are at an all-time high due to the organically inspired aesthetic they imbue, and solid wood doors are no exception. The natural knots and grain of a wood finish can add great character and life to wooden doors – a character that certainly has mass appeal.
The use of glass: Modern doors seem to include increasingly more glass in their designs – from clear glass, to opaque glass and even decorative coloured glass or stained glass inserts or panels for a more traditional look. Doors with oversized glass inserts have never been more popular for their classic styling and the extra light they transmit. Part of the popularity of glass in doors is due to the improved insulation qualities of the glass being used. Doors with glass often used to mean problematic leaks and drafts, however, this has all changed now – today’s doors boast double-glazed insulation and glass with excellent insulation qualities. For spaces where privacy is an issue, obscured glass can be used so as to still let light through.
Choosing mismatched door hardware can really ruin the overall
aesthetic of any door. Charl suggests that you choose door hardware that
suits the style of the door in question – for example, sleek stainless
steel handles or knobs would suit contemporary doors.
Environmentally friendly doors: There has been a huge surge in consumer demand for green building products – a trend that Swartland takes very seriously. For example, Swartland uses a process of cold glue pressing when manufacturing plain hollow core doors, as opposed to a process of heat fusion, as well as using timber from renewable sources. They also kiln-dry their timber so that it has an 8% moisture content – this ensures that the wood is in perfect balance with local atmospheric conditions, thereby stabilising the timber and minimising movement or warping to ensure maximum durability and longevity.
Other considerations
Door framing: Charl says framing a door incorrectly can quickly detract from its value and beauty – even when it comes to the most expensive door. Using cheap framing materials or construction shortcuts can often lead to damaging the door, and the cost of fixing this will usually end up being more than just investing in a good quality door frame in the first place. As such, it is highly advisable to consider purchasing pre-hung doors or door frames that have been purpose-built for your particular choice of door.
Solid wood versus MDF (medium density fibreboard): Solid wood costs more, but looks great. However, Charl says that if you are intending to paint your interior doors, then MDF is a better and more affordable option – it is an engineered product, so it’s very stable. It also doesn’t have any grain, so it is entirely smooth and very easy to paint.
Door hardware: Choosing mismatched door hardware can really ruin the overall aesthetic of any door. Charl suggests that you choose door hardware that suits the style of the door in question – for example, sleek stainless steel handles or knobs would suit contemporary doors, while crystal or brass knobs look better on the more traditional and elaborately styled doors. Also, if your choice of door is pre-hung, then carefully consider the quality of the door hardware included, such as the hinges and locks for example.
“Your internal doors are the very first point of contact on entering a room – you see them close up, you touch them, plus they form the background of any interior scheme, and as such, their importance should never be overlooked,” says Charl. – Antonella Desi
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