(Image courtesy Burst)

Think a door is a door is a… door? Well, in the sense that it lets you in and out of your home, yes. But all doors are definitely not created equal. In terms of material, style, and even function, there are a lot of doors to choose from, and there is certainly a reason to choose one door over another when selecting the perfect doors for your home. 

Most Common Types of Doors to Consider

The Paneled Door

The traditional panel door is the most popular types of doors in construction. You can’t really do wrong with a paneled door; it will almost certainly always be in style. These doors are also known as Stile and Rail or Frame and Panel doors. They have a timeless and classic beautiful look while offering strength and sturdiness that most homeowners love. This is a common and effortless choice. 

The Wooden Door 

Using wood as a door material is a door go-to because wood doors are sturdy, generally affordable, and easy to make. Wooden doors can be used anywhere in the house, though they are most often used for exterior doors. They are safe and provide great insulation, especially when the door is framed and hung well.

The Fiberglass Door

Another material to use for doors is fiberglass. Fiberglass doors are durable, resistant to dents, highly insulated, and low on maintenance.  For those how like the look of wood, fiberglass doors can be offered with wood panels; they can be painted/stained, and they can work for interior or exterior doors. This is another one of the popular types of doors to consider.

The Glass Door

A different take on the traditional door may be to install a glass door, which is particularly popular on homes as a back door option, but is also increasingly popular in the front as well Glass doors usually are panels of glass set into a wooden door frame. 

Some people believe glass doors might make your home less safe or more at risk of break-in; Instead, the type of glass used can actually improve safety and security, but privacy and natural light should be a consideration when selecting them. They are also harder to maintain and generally more expensive than other types of doors.

The Dutch Door

These doors are actually called Dutch doors because of their association as prominent fathers on Dutch Colonial homes. But, like going “dutch” on a date or with friends, Dutch doors are split in half, which is another way to remember them. 

Dutch doors are divided horizontally, using different panels for the top and bottom. Super practical, though particular, they allow the breeze and sunlight to come into the house without letting kids or pets out — or conversely, they are great when letting pets out by just opening the bottom — and they add charm and differentiation to any house.

The French Door

French doors are generally types of doors used as patio doors. They are hinged on the side and swing open and closed, allowing an abundance of natural light into your home. They are also believed to add value to the home as they add a bit of elegance and make a serious statement. 

The Pocket Door

Pocket Doors are usually found in bathrooms, power rooms, and closets, but they are also huge space savers for bedrooms and other areas where there isn’t room for a full swing door or you just want doors that “disappear” into a special crevice inside the wall when opened. Pocket doors are the best solution for smaller spaces.

The Sliding Door 

Another space-saving door is the sliding door. Where hinged doors require space to swing open, sliding doors operate sideways, making them perfect for use in smaller rooms where space is at a premium. They also maximize natural lighting, increase airflow, and facilitate the flow of traffic to and from the house.

Sliding doors are a must in locations like back patios or closets that necessitate a larger opening. They move on a track and have a clean, minimal look.

The Battened and Ledged Door

This may also be called a Board door. A batten door is actually a very simple door, consisting of wooden battens with a horizontal ledge at the top, middle, and bottom. Its boards are in a parallel row and held together by nailed diagonal support battens. These doors are almost always used in modern times for aesthetics. 

The Hinged Door

These doors are literally everywhere — all over every house, and used in every passageway. Hinged doors are the most common doors there are, fitted to swing inwards or outwards with two to three hinges on the vertical long edge of the door frame.

Those are most of the types of doors used in a home. As you are searching for your perfect home in the Northern Virginia area, consider the pros and cons of each of these types of doors. 

And contact LIST WITH ELIZABETH® to open the door to a great home search for you and your family!