The Facts Regarding Internal Door Panels

Internal doors are a feature of many, if not most houses today. They are needed for privacy and for sound reduction. In some cases they are a part of the decor. In addition to the basics of the door, you will also need to think about the locks, knobs, hinges and other hardware. Sometimes a door will include decorative panels or glass inserts. Unless you have a customized door built, you can easily replace worn or inexpensive panels as you choose.

Before choosing a door for the inside rooms of your home, think about the type of room where the door is needed. Sliding units don't take up as much floor space as those which swing. Think about the direction that the door will swing open. You will also need to consider how the furniture will be placed.

Swinging panels are another type of doors that can be appropriate in certain situations. For example, they are handy if there is a need for separation between a dining room and a kitchen. This makes it easy to pass through the opening even when your hands are full.

To separate a living or family room from a deck or enclosed porch, you might want to use sliding glass panels. This type of arrangement allows for plenty of light to enter the interior space. The room is not blocked off by a wall or solid door. The negative aspect is the lessened security that may occur.

You might want to consider installing a pocket door. These panels slide into a space within the two surfaces of the wall. The handle is a pivot plate of metal that can be used to pull the unit closed. When not in use, the plate is flush with the door's leading edge. The drawback with this type of door is that it may get slightly out of alignment and not slide easily. For someone with arthritic fingers, they can be hard to open and close.

If the room is too small for a swinging unit and installation of a pocket door is impossible, a folding door is another option. It is considered a less desirable choice, because it takes up space in the opening and is not attractive. The folding panels might be solid or could be poly material that is somewhat flexible. Keeping these units on the track can be a problem.

Consider the size and weight of the door before making a selection. Heavy panels can be hard to move, particularly over carpeted floors. A person who is lacking in strength may find it hard to move a sliding panel. Gripping the knobs, pivot plates or other devices can be hard for someone with arthritis. Small children in the household can create other safety issues. Most people have had a finger smashed at one time or another by the weight of a door. Security problems might require a heavy lockable panel, even in the interior rooms of the home.

The selection and placement of internal doors may be facilitated by seeking expert advice from a professional. However, a hollow core swinging unit is not hard to place. Care must be taken to ensure the unit is level and doesn't rub on the lock plate or door frame. The wood frame, if there is one, must be sturdy enough to support hinge plates and the weight of the door.