There are many types of doors used in buildings of different types and functions globally, in this article, you will find the different types of doors and their applications in several buildings all over the world.
What is a door?
A door is a panel, which allows access to an inside space. It can be opened manually or automatically, e.g. garage door. There are various types of doors – fireproof, sliding, etc., which are used for different purposes – entrances, exits, kitchens, etc. They have specific dimensions and materials that define their purpose and style (e.g wood vs metal).
Doors come in many different styles, and there are many types of doors, each catering to a particular use or look that one might want to achieve with their home décor. Some of these include cabinet doors, bifold doors, louvered closet doors, barn doors slide track systems, sliding room dividers, accordion folding closet doors, patio doors, and many others.
There are several styles of bifold closet doors including flush panel, raised panel, arched top, and shaker style. These doors can be constructed from a variety of materials such as engineered woods including red oak or maple; or strong solid hardwoods like teak, ipe (ironwood), mahogany, and other exotic species that will maintain their luster and resist moisture without warping or swelling over time. They could be custom-made by the homeowner using nothing but the finest material or ready-made to purchase directly from a home center.
Types of Door
There are various types of doors, they come in different styles, shapes, and sizes which include:
- Screen doors
- Cabinet doors
- Bifold doors
- Louvered doors
- Barn doors
- Sliding doors
- Accordion doors
- Patio doors
- Revolving doors
- Swing doors
- Shutter doors
- Hollow metal doors
- Flush doors
- High-speed doors
- Glass doors
- Aluminum doors
- Glazed doors
- Collapsible steel doors
- Battened and ledged doors
- Wire gauged doors
- Security doors
Screen doors
Screen doors are types of doors that help to cover a doorway, entryway, or opening. It is generally made from mesh and framed in aluminum which also can retract back into a size small enough for storage when not needed. In addition, screen doors can be used as an alternate way to enter and exit as opposed to sliding screen doors or as a porch screen door.
Screen doors have been around since the beginning of screen technology by Joesph Glidden in 1897 but were later improved upon by John Andersen who patented the first “insect screen door” which featured a bottom rail with one-way hinges. The screen door was much easier to open than current models due to its weight being distributed along the entire length of the screen rather than at the top; inventors also found screen doors worked well as a method of keeping insects out.
This screen door was first used in Minnesota dairy barns to keep Minnesota’s insect population out while allowing cows an escape route if they felt it necessary. Now screen doors are put on the screen porch, screen enclosures, and screen rooms—adding style and value to homes along with protecting people from bugs.
Screen technology has greatly evolved since then changing screen doors into retractable screen doors that do not require rails or support structures for lifting like old screen models, sliding screen door models which slide open horizontally rather than lifting like current models, and expandable screen doors which retract back into its casing when not needed—allowing homeowners more options for
Cabinet doors
Cabinet doors refer to the panel that covers the front part of a cabinet, door, or drawer. Cabinets can be stand-alone or built-in. These types of doors mostly serve as storage for kitchenware and equipment used indoors. Kitchen cabinets may also include other components such as drawers, shelves, etc., but should have at least one door which is where you’ll find the hardware controlling it. Cabinet doors come in different styles and size so choose any style that suits your room décor and preference whether standard, custom, or flush mount. Cabinets without doors are often called open-face cabinets while those with only one door are called single-door cabinets or pantries. True cabinet doors come in overlay hinges (hinges on top of the cabinet), inset hinges (on the bottom of the cabinet), soft close hinges and some even come with a magnetic catch so it closes automatically. It is best to determine how many doors your cabinets should have before deciding on a style or model you want, instead of choosing one thinking it will fit all cabinets when in fact it won’t.
As for functions of cabinet doors, they not only serve as added storage space but also protect what’s inside from dirt and dust that might cause damage. Cabinets with glass panels let you display whatever you wish to without actually opening up the door making your room more presentable. Cabinet doors are made from different materials such as wood veneers, solid woods, metal, and glass among others.
Bifold doors
Bifold doors are made to open in two panels or leaves, which pivot at the center of the hinge mounted on a parallel rail – one fixed and one loose – that has been cut to join at an acute angle. The bifold door has become a popular choice for many homeowners as a way to separate rooms into multiple spaces or allow access to spacious closets. Numerous bifold closet doors feature bifold options making them ideal for small areas such as closets and pantries. These types of doors can also be used as pocket bifold, folding away neatly against the wall when not needed. In addition, bifold doors can be designed with smooth clean lines to create a minimalist look suitable for modern houses.
Bifold doors are versatile and can be used in various types of homes including bifold garage doors, bifold interior doors, bifold closet doors, bifold kitchen cabinet doors, and bifold room divider doors. These versatile folding entrance barriers can also act as bifold pet gates to keep your pets away from certain rooms.
Bifolding doors are handy not only for separating rooms but also for creating space when you host gatherings like parties, family get-togethers, or sports events in your home. You can easily create a large open area by simply pulling your bifold outwards instead of opening individual pairs one at a time.
Louvered closet doors
Louvered closet doors simply mean, having louvers or louver (plural louvers): In louvered closet doors, a set of parallel or individual louvers that can be adjusted to admit air and light but to exclude rain and direct sunlight louverture: the action of opening louvers.
Since its development in Europe, louvered doors have been common insides for closets as well as on some exterior door shutters. In addition to serving as an important element of architecture, louvered doors also offer certain benefits from decorative appeal to energy efficiency. Most commonly, louvered closet doors are seen today in kitchens and bathrooms where it is more common for there to be half-height louvers on a panel door.
Barn doors
Barn doors are named for barns, which back in the day used these double doors to separate sections of their barn. Today, these types of doors can be used just as effectively indoors to create rooms that each have their distinct feel and function.
Barn doors open like traditional doors with hinges on either side of the door frame. However, rather than swinging outwards like standard hinged doors, barn doors open away from the centerline of the door opening, sliding one door over another (with hardware) or rotating around a track (hardware-free). When opened fully, there is no threshold between the two spaces; instead, there will be an open path between them.
Barn doors are typically used in small homes where space is at a premium; but they are also an excellent choice for creating defined spaces where people can work privately, hold private meetings, or take phone calls without disrupting others.
Barn doors are available with wooden panels that match the rest of the room’s design, or they come in glass options to drive home the visual separation between rooms. Whether you want your home office to have a modern feel with clean lines and simple hardware, or you prefer something more rustic with wood-paneled doors and iron track hardware, barn doors are an easy way to create separate areas where you don’t need permanent walls.
Barn doors measure about 34 inches wide by 80 inches tall on average. The door panels can be made of real hardwood slats but are just as likely to be faux wood. Doors with hardware can come in different sizes, measured by the circumference or width, depending on the manufacturer. The thickness of the door will also vary between barn doors.
Barn doors are not just for separating rooms; they also work well as closet doors. If you need a place to store your shoes and other accessories, purchase a double set of barn doors that opens out from wall to wall instead of floor-to-ceiling, then install them over your closet opening to keep those items hidden from view but still accessible when you need them.
Sliding doors
Sliding doors come in a variety of different styles and designs, but they all follow the same basic principles. They look like sliding glass doors and sliding pocket doors, but sliding doors can be made out of other materials too such as metal or even wood. Sliding door hardware is designed to slide open and closed along a track and one side is solid while the other side is composed of sliding panels, usually three or four panes that stack on top of each other. These sliding door panels stack over top of each other when folded back into the sliding door unit, whether it’s an armoire type sliding closet door, a bi-folding sliding screen door, or any other kind of sliding door hardware, such as sliding shower doors.
Sliding doors, sliding glass doors, sliding pockets, sliding barns, sliding closets, sliding screens, sliding louvers, and sliding mirror sliding bifold are usually made out of aluminum or other metal because they are lightweight, the door panels stay in place when open and closed and because they won’t rust. They can be bought with different colored finishes including stainless steel, black, white, and silver which helps them to blend into the background and become hardly noticeable when not opened. There is normally a clear line between their top and bottom halves and these types of doors go well with other modern décor.
Accordion doors
An accordion door is also known as an accordion folding door. This kind of door can be opened and closed like a traditional hinged door but it folds like an accordion when it is open or closed. Accordion doors are usually made by utilizing metal or hardwood; these two materials make the whole structure more durable, stable, and tighter than other materials.
Accordion doors closet are very popular among homeowners because they provide an efficient way to create more storage space in rooms with limited areas such as closets, hallways, garages, etc. Like all types of solid core doors, accordion doors are available in different styles, designs, and finishes.
Accordion doors are mostly applied in the hallway, bedroom, closet, laundry room, bathroom, garage, and more.
Accordion doors are also very energy efficient because they keep the environment inside your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. An accordion door is a perfect choice for new or replacement door installation. They can be ordered at any local hardware store or home improvement center.
Patio doors
Patio doors are known for their traditional look and modern durability. These types of doors are available in different styles, materials, measurements, colors, etc., which provide them with outstanding versatility. Patio doors can be used in patio rooms.
A patio room is an enclosed patio that offers all the amenities of the house – designed to offer homeowners a flexible room-space outdoor living combination patio.
Many things contribute to making your home seem comfortable and welcoming; one of these is patio doors which allow you to enjoy natural air inside your home when you opened them up without spending too much cash when it comes to energy bills.
Revolving doors
Revolving doors are the main entrance and exit of a building. They can be found in train stations, airports, office blocks, etc. revolving doors are round and have handles which you push to make them turn and let you into the revolving door.
Revolving doors move around a central shaft and rotate on a track or panel at floor level. There is also an automatic revolving door that will open as you approach it by just standing near it using infrared beams, though there is sometimes a delay for people who aren’t moving towards revolving doors quickly enough.
These types of revolving doors usually require less maintenance than other types but they take up more space than normal revolving doors so automatic revolving doors are not always practical in every building.
Swing doors
Swing doors are part of the swinging door family. A swing door is a type of pocket door that works by sliding into or out of the surrounding wall space, leaving all but the bottom edge hidden when opened.
The swing door was developed for use in buildings where larger openings were required than could be fitted with conventional hinged doors; apartment buildings, restaurants, etc. The swing doors were developed to make it easier to clear away tables and chairs after dining hours in restaurants etc., while also providing much more convenience than opening two sets of single-leafed swing doors every time you wanted to enter or exit said establishment.
Shutter doors
A shutter door can be defined as a shutter that is built within a door to add privacy and security. The shutters used on all sorts of buildings such as homes can be made from many materials such as aluminum alloy, steel, wood, plastic, etc., along with the shutter’s style determining its strength. The shutter’s style can be a single panel shutter (one shutter), double shutter (two shutters), or triple shutter (three shutters).
Shutter leaves are available in various patterns, designs, and colors. They include solid, louvered, rippled, etc., the most popular shutter doors are made of wood because it gives better insulation properties than any other material. Other materials like metal provide good thermal properties but may not be ideal for exterior applications due to corrosion etc. The shutter door is hung on hinges to open and close the shutter leaves, which bracket system is very popular nowadays for its stylish looks and functionality.
The function of shutter doors varies depending on the use of shutter doors whether it is at home or on commercial property. Shutters are a popular choice for windows because shutter doors can be used to add security while allowing light and air into the area. Shutters for doorways also have various functions depending on their use like privacy, insulation, security, etc., shutter doors that open outwards or inwards are another factor that dictates how shutter doors function. Finally, shutter doors come in different styles; they include panel shutters (one shutter), colonial shutters (two shutters), and box shutters (three shutters).
Hollow metal doors
Hollow metal doors are one of the most popular door types in the industry. They are very common, mostly used in commercial places. This gives them a lot of potential for decoration purposes, as it is easy to paint them any color or cover them with foil paper. However, there are also benefits for security purposes. Hollow metal doors are fireproof, which makes this type of door even more popular amongst people who want to protect themselves from outside threats.
A hollow metal door frame is probably the most important part of this type of door. The bigger size you need, the harder it will be to find another matching hollow metal door that will fit inside your entrance into your house or building. When you finally find a matching donor, you will need to make sure that the dimensions of the new hollow metal door and your existing hollow metal door frame match.
Flush doors
Flush doors are any door that fits completely inside the frame, letting no light come in through the edges. This can be accomplished with flushing or fitting mechanisms on both sides of the door frame. Flush doors are often made of wood, but other materials may also be used to create flushing mechanisms.
Flush Doors generally tend to look more modern than their counterparts which include mullion doors and louvered doors. This is because flush doors do not have gaps between them or anything that interrupts how they work. This contributes to a very smooth appearance, especially when flushing paneling is being used instead of solid slabs for flushing purposes. Wooden flushing screens can sometimes be mistaken for traditional wooden double doors, but flushing screens are composed of two panels that slide inside one another rather than opening outwards.
Flush doors are found in four different styles. The first is flushing, the second is flush louvered doors, flushing shutters or flushing screens, and flushing French doors. Flush Louvered Doors also sometimes refer to as fluting shutters are wooden shutters with louvers for ventilation. When installed they’re almost flat against the walls which makes this style flush much like flushing paneling. Flush Shutters are similar to flushing louvered doors except that they do not open or close – usually hung on hinges much like a window shutter. These types of flushes take up less space than flushing.
High-speed doors
A high-speed door is a kind of industrial component, which can speedily and conveniently pass through large volumes of air. They speedily pass the fresh air to building interiors and quickly remove pollutants from inside, so they effectively improve indoor environmental quality.
These types of doors should be clean for hygienic purposes and need to check their speed. Different kinds of doors should follow strict industry standards such as ISO 18593-3:2010 for safety requirements by using smart control technology with sensors that ensure perfect closing speed and prevent collision risks while opening or shutting automatically.
The worldwide market share of high-speed doors amounts to 5% now, but there are still many enterprises with low awareness about them, so it is a business with huge potential. The development speed of high-speed doors is at least 10% higher than that of conventional industrial doors, so they can open and shut much faster than other kinds of doors.
High-speed doors are divided into two types:
- Electric high-speed doors: Electric high-speed doors are equipped with brushless DC motors, which solve the problems of noise, impact, vibration, and reliability perfectly.
- Hydraulic high-speed doors: Hydraulic high-speed door equipment uses piping components, which need to be more powerful on function requirements but do not affect the appearance or working environment as electric high-speed doors do.
High-speed doors are applied in large-area ventilation systems for workshops where production lines are built densely.
Glass doors
Glass doors are types of doors made out of glass, rather than other materials such as wood or aluminum. They can be used in a variety of applications such as shower enclosures so that individuals can see what’s happening inside the shower while not being exposed to water and the elements outside. Glass doors could also be used on cabinets and wardrobes to give people a clear view of what is inside without exposing them to items that may potentially fall off.
There are different styles of these types of doors and they all work differently depending on their function. For example, some glass door styles fold like an accordion while others slide horizontally or vertically across tracks installed on either side of the doorway. A primary concern when picking a style for your glass door is how it will be used.
Aluminum doors
Aluminum doors are similar to steel doors. They have lots of benefits that make them more beneficial than traditional wooden or steel doors. Aluminum is a lightweight metal alloy, one of the strongest and most durable known materials. It’s also affordable compared to other materials used in making doors such as wood, glass, etc. If you want an option with great strength and durability to protect your home, then aluminum is the right choice.
Aluminum doors are more expensive than steel doors because it’s made in factories with huge furnaces that help in melting large aluminum blocks into thin sheets. These sheets are then cut into any shape or size after which it is stamped into form with increased thickness compared to their original thickness. A cold-forming process is used to avoid wasting heat and energy, so no heat or machines are needed during the production of aluminum doors.
To further increase the strength of the door, aluminum alloy structures have been used by some manufacturers. In this type of structure, a lower gauge of aluminum is sandwiched between two sheets of increased gauge aluminum. This is the type of aluminum door with the most thickness and strength, making it ideal for homes or buildings that need extra protection against natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other weather-related hazards.
These types of doors are also known to be noiseless compared to their counterparts made of wood or glass because there’s minimal vibration making them not so noisy. Unlike wooden doors, aluminum doors are also resistant to fire, pests, and termites. So if you want a door that’s durable, safe from all kinds of disasters or environmental hazards, low-maintenance, and noiseless then aluminum doors are the right choice for your home or building.
