Door Repair

Flush Doors or Panel Doors: How Do You Choose the Right One?

“It’s all in the details”… Or so it has been said. When choosing doors for any space, whether it be a home or a place of business, making the right choice comes down to knowing the different options available.

Which type of door should you use? There is no easy or simple answer to this question because every space is unique and all people have differing ideas of what is appealing to the eye. Luckily, with either a panel or flush door, you should be able to find exactly what you want and need. What is the difference?

Designs

Flush Doors: flush doors have fewer design options than panel doors because of the way they are manufactured. Since the face is made out of one piece of wood, it can be carved and worked on but the types of design are limited to what can be etched or carved in the face of the door.

Panel Doors: According to Maria from internal doors company Doors Galore “Panel doors are built to hold glass and other material in panels in the door. This type of design gives you far more creative flexibility when choosing and designing your doors.”

Price

Flush Doors: Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, flush doors are typically less expensive than panel doors. They take less time and less material to make and can be built with lower quality and filler materials such as cardboard and laminate.

Panel Doors: Panel doors often come with a higher price tag. The building process is more intricate, there are different types of materials used and they are often built with higher quality materials, all of which contribute to the cost of the doors.

Manufacturing

Flush Doors: These doors get their name from the construction term “flush”. This means that one surface is even or adjacent to another surface. Flush doors are manufactured to look like they are made from one piece (and sometimes are) and have a flat or almost flat surface. Inside, they are made of composite wood materials and engineered or hollow cores and covered with laminates or solid wood veneers.

Panel Doors: Panel doors are built with stiles (wood that runs vertically) and rails (wood that runs horizontally), as well as infill panels. Manufacturing these doors takes longer and is a more intricate process than flush doors.

Durability

Flush Doors: Flush doors are routinely used in offices and commercial settings like schools and government buildings. This is partly because of cost but also because of durability and performance. Flush doors are more fire resistant, noise resistant and durable than panel doors.

Panel Doors: Panel doors, because they have more pieces and joints, tend to not be as durable as flush doors. Obviously, the quality of the door you buy will also be a critical factor in the durability of the panel door you buy.

Maintenance

Flush Doors: Make sure that your flush doors are properly finished with the right varnishes and stains and routinely check them for dents and scratches. As a one-piece unit, flush doors need maintenance mostly on the exterior of the doors.

Panel Doors: Panel doors also need to be finished properly with the right varnishes and finishes to live out their full lifespan. They should also be inspected regularly for dents and knicks. Also, the joints may become loose over time in panel doors. Take them to a door specialist to be serviced if you noticed this so they can tighten the tendon wedges, extending the lifespan of your door.

Choosing Between Panel and Flush Doors

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and this age-old adage stays true with door choices as well. Use this guide to help you find what suits your needs best!