Solid or Hollow core Doors for the Bedrooms

Choosing Internal Doors: Solid vs. Hollow Core

When selecting internal doors for your home, the primary choice is between solid and hollow core doors. Beyond this, consider style, appearance, price, and availability. If sustainability is a priority, the environmental impact of the door’s materials will also be a key factor.

Solid doors, made from solid wood or dense board materials, are generally more expensive. However, they are often preferred in smaller homes where noise between rooms can be disruptive. For example, closing a bedroom door at night to minimize noise requires a door that effectively blocks sound.

How do you choose between solid and hollow core doors for your home’s bedrooms? Beyond aesthetics and cost, personal needs—such as soundproofing and privacy—are critical for determining how the door will perform.

Hollow Core Doors

Retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot (www.homedepot.ca), and Door Crazy Ltd. offer a wide selection of hollow core doors. Photos or in-store displays won’t reveal their construction. A paneled hollow core door may look identical to a solid core door, but the price tag and a knock on the surface will reveal the difference: hollow core doors are not solid inside.

Not all hollow core doors are entirely hollow. The simplest and most affordable versions use a basic lumber or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) framework with plywood (often veneered) attached, sealed with thin strips of plywood or lumber at the top and bottom. These are designed for internal use and should not be exposed to rain or snow. Planing the top or bottom can expose the hollow center.

Some hollow core doors are built for both internal and external use, such as for garden or patio access. Always verify with the manufacturer before purchasing.

Companies like CraftMaster (www.craftmasterdoors.com) use materials such as lightweight corrugated honeycomb, standard corrugated paper, or expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) between the door’s faces. This “sandwich technology” glues two strong face sheets to a lightweight core, eliminating the need for a solid frame. Solid material is incorporated where hinges, striker plates, and handles are attached, and the doors are hinged to support inward or outward swings.

A 2008 Canadian survey found that 99% of people buying wooden doors for their homes chose lightweight hollow core doors. These doors are more affordable and eco-friendly due to their minimal wood use. Their light weight makes them easier to transport and install. However, be cautious: hollow core doors that are significantly cheaper than average may be of inferior quality.

Solid Core and Solid Wood Doors

Solid Core Doors

Solid core doors are much heavier than hollow core doors and are more effective at reducing noise. For example, a 24-inch by 96-inch hollow core door weighs about 30 pounds, while a solid core door of the same size can weigh roughly double. This weight can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your needs.

Cheaper than solid wood doors, solid core doors offer better dimensional stability, durability, and longevity compared to hollow core doors. Some are rated with a Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC), indicating their soundproofing ability. Higher STC ratings mean better noise reduction. According to CraftMaster, their 1⅜-inch thick doors have STC values ranging from 27 for less hollow core doors to 29 for solid core doors.

Construction methods vary, and some solid core doors are more solid than others. CraftMaster also produces semi-solid core doors, using wood blocking or particleboard instead of corrugated paper. These are heavier than hollow core doors but nearly as costly as solid core doors, making them less popular.

Solid Wood Doors

When referring to “solid” doors (distinct from “solid core”), we mean doors made entirely of solid wood. Choosing solid wood doors often comes down to aesthetics, as the wood grain is visible and can be stained to highlight its beauty. Painting a solid wood door may seem wasteful, as both hollow core and solid core doors look similar when painted.

Carefully consider your priorities when deciding between solid, solid core, or hollow core doors for your home’s bedrooms. Each option offers distinct benefits in terms of cost, soundproofing, durability, and environmental impact, ensuring you can find a door that meets your needs.