While some interior decor elements like paintings and wallpapers may only serve an aesthetic purpose, other elements such as interior doors have a much greater impact on both the overall look and the value of your home.
Are solid core doors are worth it or not. To keep it short and sweet, yes.
Solid core doors allow for more soundproofing and are heavier than hollow core doors. They provide a more luxurious feel without being as costly as solid wood doors.
I’ve highlighted the aspects that make solid core doors a worthy investment below. First things first!
What are solid core doors?
Hollow core doors are types of doors made with a composite core and veneer.
While solid wood doors are made entirely of real wood, solid core doors contain synthetic materials on the inside and real-wood veneers on the exterior.
Choosing between solid core vs. hollow core doors
Wondering which option to go for? I’ve highlighted several aspects to consider when choosing between solid core vs. hollow core doors hereunder:
#1 Cost
The first thing that most buyers consider when buying a product or when hiring a service is the price or cost factor. This is usually the case when buyers are choosing between solid core and hollow core doors.
For basic models, solid core door prices range from $100 to $200. For custom-designed or high-grade models, prices start around $350. You should also set aside between $150 and $300 for hiring a contractor to install the door.
Hollow core doors, on the other hand, are cheaper compared to solid core doors. For basic models, prices normally range from $40 to $100. For high-quality doors, you can expect to add $40 to the final cost. Since hollow core doors are easier to install than solid core doors, the cost of hiring an installation contractor is comparatively lower.
If cost is a huge concern, then hollow core doors are a cost-effective alternative to solid core doors.
Although solid core doors are more expensive than their hollow counterparts, they are more cost-effective in the long run as they are more durable. If you don’t want to replace your door every few years, then a solid core will give more value for your money.
#2 Heat Insulation
Heat energy is in constant motion, always flowing from a warm space to a colder area. In summer, the aim is to keep heat out, and in summer, it’s holding heat inside the house.
One of the downsides of hollow core doors is that they have air pockets, which allow the transfer of heat. Conversely, solid core doors are filled with dense materials such as MDV. As a solid piece of material, a solid core door will be much better at insulating your home against heat loss.
If heat insulation is one of the properties you’re looking for in an interior door, then a solid core door is an ideal choice. For instance, a solid core door will prove to be a wise investment if you want a good door for the nursery room or your aging relative’s room.
#3 Security
According to research, doors and windows are the primary means burglars get into homes. Installing strong doors in all entry points is one of the best ways to make it extremely difficult for burglars to force their way into your home.
Just like metal doors and solid wood doors, solid core doors can absorb a tremendous amount of force before yielding, frustrating the efforts of would-be burglars. The same cannot be said about hollow core doors.
As their name suggests, hollow core doors are fairly hollow on the inside. This hollowness makes them less sturdy, thus are easy to break down.
If security is not a concern, you can opt for a cost-effective option like a hollow core door. However, if you live in an area where burglaries are rampant, a solid wood door is certainly the best choice for exterior use.
Besides being used as exterior doors for homes, solid wood doors are also used in commercial applications, mainly in high-rise office building corridors. They are also in common use for interior doors for the interior doors of Class A office buildings.
#4 Durability
In addition to providing better heat and sound insulation, solid core doors are better in terms of durability. This is because they are heavier, thus can endure extreme weather conditions.
Moreover, they are less sensitive to humidity than solid wood doors because they contain synthetic materials. The sturdiness and durability of solid core doors make them a good choice as external doors.
In comparison, hollow core doors weigh considerably less than solid core doors. They are generally fiberboard or laminated wood doors that are much like flat boxes that are mostly hollow inside.
Since they are easier to damage and are more vulnerable to humidity, hollow core doors are best suited for interior use.
#5 Fire resistance
Hollow core doors are among the types of doors with a low fire rating. They are made up of two thin veneers of wood separated by a honeycomb of thin fiberboard or wood strips, which means they are more vulnerable to fire.
Although not fireproof, solid core doors provide better protection against fire than their hollow counterparts. They are available with U-L listed fire ratings up to 90 minutes.
If fireproofing is important, you should look for added fire-resistant ratings at a higher cost.
Are solid core doors more soundproof?
Is unwanted traffic noise getting through the entry door, making it hard for you to experience tranquility in your living space?
Is television noise finding its way into your baby’s room through the door, making it hard for the young one to find restful sleep?
If so, you need to replace the old door with one that has sound insulation properties!
Compared to hollow core doors, solid core doors provide better sound insulation. In rooms where silence is paramount, a solid core door is the best choice as it will muffle sound more effectively.
Besides muffling exterior noise, solid core doors are also good at maintaining privacy. When installed in the bedroom, they can prevent private conversations and actions from escaping the room through the door.
They are also excellent choices for offices, especially where privacy is of utmost importance.
Since hollow core doors are not as good as solid core doors in terms of sound insulation, they are a good choice for areas where sound transmission is less important. This includes areas such as the pantry, closet, etc.
Do solid core doors increase home value?
Replacing old doors with new ones will generally provide an aesthetically modern look to the interior of your home.
The right choice of exterior and interior doors will not only boost the aesthetic appeal of your home’s interior, but it’ll also provide practical advantages to how you live in your house.
These two factors will play a significant role in your home’s value.
Note that how much value is added mostly depends on the type of doors you decide to install. Considering that solid core doors serve both aesthetic and practical purposes, they increase more value to a home than their hollow counterparts.
In case you are planning to sell your home soon, installing solid core doors will be a smart move that will attract more potential home buyers.
Back to the important question – are solid core doors worth it? Considering all the aspects above, we can agree that they are a worthwhile investment.
If you’re looking at how to invigorate your home’s interior with functional doors without breaking the bank, replacing your old doors with solid core doors will prove to be worth it.
To ensure that you get the most out of your solid core doors, be sure to hire a reliable door installer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do solid core doors make a big difference?
Solid core doors provide superior performance for durability, sound dampening, heat insulation, security, and fire resistance. However, these benefits do come at an added cost that will need to be considered.
Are solid core doors really solid?
Solid core doors do not have a hollow interior as can be found in hollow core doors. However, they typically use a composite core instead of being solid wood throughout.
How can you tell if a door is solid core?
The simplest way to tell if a door is solid core is by its heavier weight. If the door is already hung, you can try gently knocking on it to hear if it has a hollow interior.
