When you are designing or renovating your home, the process of selecting a door goes beyond style and also addresses functionality, security, and durability. You may be choosing the types of doors to put in your home for an entryway or for an indoor space, but understanding the difference between interior and exterior doors is important because they cannot be used interchangeably and a poor choice could affect energy efficiency and safety.
In this guide, we will look at the differences between interior vs exterior doors, how each type of door plays a role in your home, and how to make a choice from the different types of doors for house needs.
Why the Right Door Matters
Doors may seem like standard items, but inherently they serve a very particular purpose based on their location. A front door must protect from the weather, provide security, and create curb appeal, while a door into the bedroom or bathroom provides privacy and aesthetic choices.
Understanding the types of doors in your home space allows you to make good choices, repairs in the future are probably unnecessary, and you will increase the functionality of your home and possibly its value too.
1. Material & Construction Differences
The first difference we will discuss between interior and exterior doors is how they are constructed. The exterior doors are built to withstand adverse conditions, whether it be heat, rain, wind, or a potential intruder. Exterior doors will be wood, fiberglass, or metal, and often will utilize insulation layers to improve energy efficiency. Exterior doors are often treated with a weather-resistant coating.
Contrastingly, interior doors are generally lighter in weight and made of hollow core, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Since they will not be exposed to elements, they do not require the same level of durability and thermal insulation.
Similarly, this difference in construction is reflected in the differences in pricing, weight, and longevity of interior versus exterior doors.
2. Security and Safety
The exterior doors of a home are a primary defense for security. They have features such as deadbolts, multi-point locking systems, and reinforced frames for additional protection against forced entry. Knowing that you have the right type of home exterior door provides you with peace of mind.
The level of security that is needed for interior doors is generally not needed. Although some may have locks, like those for home offices, and master bedroom doors, the doors in a home are more about creating spaces, and providing sound barriers.
3. Aesthetics and Design Considerations
When considering interior doors, the choice is often made based upon the decor and the layout. The owner may pick sleek flush doors for a contemporary space, or rebated doors with acoustic seal if that fits the style of the home more appropriately.
Exterior doors create first impressions. Often more elaborate with glass and other styling options with side glass, colors and installments can be arranged to create visual effects that go with the design of the house. The style and design of an exterior door should become part of the physical attributes of the house.
4. Insulation and Soundproofing
Since they are subject to outside temperatures and noise, exterior doors need to be insulated properly. High-quality exterior doors are made with weather stripping and energy-efficient cores, which will help keep the cold out, help you save on heating and cooling bills, and help maintain consistent temperatures inside your house.
Some Interior doors, while not designed for insulation, do play a role in order to control sound and maintain privacy. When considering interior vs. exterior doors, the soundproofing is one job they have in common, but everything else is very unique and different about each type of door in the household environment.
At Wesmarc, we understand these differences and go a step further by offering engineered doors with insulation properties for both entrance and interior applications.
5. Door Hardware and Fittings
Exterior doors need specialized hinges that are weather-resistant, some type of threshold seal, and an entry lock that is durable and strong enough to resist tampering from an intruder. The door hardware and fitments need to be durable to withstand rust and other corrosion from the elements.
On the other hand, interior door hardware can be typically lighter in weight and designed for decorative purposes. The interior door handles, knobs, and hinges are lighter, easier to install, and come in many different types of finishes to match your home’s decor.
Knowing the different types of doors for home hardware usage will help your interior and exterior doors perform the intended way while providing longevity as well.
6. Installation Requirements
Exterior doors are significantly more complicated to install and need to be installed with more precision due to requirements for weatherproofing and security. Many times, they engage a professional to evaluate the fit to ensure a tight fit and properly attach it to the door frame.
Interior doors are less complicated to install and can be a DIY project for homeowners who are experienced with the process. If you know the different purposes for interior vs. exterior doors, you can avoid costly mistakes with the installation process.
Whether you are replacing a worn out front door or updating the interior layout of your home, knowing the difference between an interior and exterior door will help you feel confident your decision has been a good investment. In the end, doors should always be a design investment to your design aesthetic inside and out of your home, not simply a functional panel addition to your home.
With Wesmarc Super Doors, the installation process becomes seamless — whether it’s an entrance door or an interior one. Thanks to our smart adaptation systems and engineered design precision, Wesmarc doors are built for easy, accurate, and hassle-free installation.
7. Rebated Doors
A rebated door has a unique stepped edge allowing one side of the door to overlap with the frame or adjacent door. This overlap ensures a more secure closure and makes us more comfortable every day. With its simple design, the door helps reduce the amount of daylight and gaps, has better sound blocking, is better at keeping dust and air out, and even light is in some instances. Rebated doors are also great for bedrooms and study areas, or any place requiring privacy or quiet. For external use, the seal of the door against wind and weather is better protected as an added layer which improves insulation and energy efficiency. In addition to providing quality and reduced privacy, rebated doors have a unique clean look or finished look when closed.
Discover Wesmarc’s collection of different types of doors and find expertly designed doors and finishes for every door opportunity. Performing the correct functions or decorative finishes in your home.
FAQs
1. How do interior doors differ from exterior doors?
Interior doors are lighter and made for privacy, while exterior doors are made to protect from the elements and insulate.
2. Can I use the same door for both interior and exterior purposes?
Some doors are specially engineered to suit both interior and exterior use, but generally, each serves a different purpose, exteriors need strength and insulation, while interiors focus on design and privacy.
3. What are the most common types of doors for home use?
The most common types of doors for home use are panel doors, rebated doors, sliding doors, and glass doors.
4. Which doors are best for separating rooms?
For separating rooms, types of doors for house interiors like panel doors or rebated doors work best due to their clean design.
5. Are exterior doors more expensive than interior doors?
Yes, exterior doors are generally more expensive than interior doors because of their added strength, insulation and materials.
