Wood and Its Stylish Alternatives for Doors in Modern Interiors

Earlier doors and windows were used only for safety. But now, it’s not the case. Now, beautifully decorated doors and windows are a part of elegant interior décor. Preference is given to its shape, design, and architectural works. Though it costs 10-15% more while making doors more beautiful, everyone is willing to afford that extra cost. Now, not only wood, but certain substitutes are also readily available in the market that are durable as well as less expensive compared to wood. The scarcity of wood also prompts people to go for alternatives. Through this article, let me give you a few tips about wood and other substitutes for your interior. Also read: Best Options for Doors to Reduce Expenses.

Wood and Its Alternatives for Doors

Measurements are significant for doors

Normal dimensions of a door are 210cm height X 100-120cm width X 3-4 cm thickness. If you are using doors with double panels, each panel should have at least 80-90 cm in width. If a person needs to get inside the room freely, the door should have this dimension at least.

Two types of doors are used in the construction of houses: giving a small step at the entry during construction and fitting the door later, or just an opening provided during the construction process. Normally, in both cases, doors are fitted at a later stage. In the first method, doors are stronger than in the other method. If you have decided to fit a door at the early stage itself, an elevation from the ground should be given, and it should be at least 3-5cm high. But today, most constructions choose the second method. That’s the reason why such wooden steps are seen in old constructions only. Makes changes in plan is possible at any stage if you are choosing the second method for doors. Decisions can be made to choose materials for construction. Choose suitable bearings so that doors can be opened and closed without much difficulty.

Doors and its panels as per trend

Single panel, two and even four – you can design doors of any type. Old homes had doors with four panels. Though it gives more ventilation, single or two panel doors are best for main doors.

For security

Many methods are used for the security of doors nowadays. A lens can be fitted on the other side of the door, hiding from normal vision. By a single lock, it’s now possible to lock the door at three places now, giving extra security to your home. Now, cameras can also be fitted.

According to the trend, as per your desire

Among all woods, teak is most popular for doors. Never opt for two types of wood for a single door, as a colour change may occur. Now people are choosing PVC, fibre, glass, veneer, and steel for constructing doors and windows. Except main entry, you can use such substitutes as they cost less. Also, they are available readymade in the market, thus saving you a lot of time.

Normally, bathroom doors are given 80cm width. But for senior citizens, it’s better to give 90cm bathroom doors as you may need to assist them to the bathroom. Also, it’s better for people who use wheelchairs.

Most common substitutes of doors

Veneer flush door – Gives a wooden finish and design. They are less weight comparing normal wooden doors.

Steel-glass combination – They are more durable and strong comparing veneer doors.

PVC – They are lighter doors and are waterproof.

Glass – They allow a lot of sunlight inside and give an ‘open feeling’ for your interior.

Treated wood – They are also durable and strong

Fibre – They are waterproof doors

Aluminium – Best for sliding doors

You can use such substitutes for your interior. In addition to wooden doors, you can use such substitutes to give your home a fresh look as well as reduce your total expenses.

Veneer – A substitute of any type of wood

You can choose any design type for your doors; veneer can help you here by providing you with a range of wooden designs. From teak, mahogany, and jack tree of Indian traits to imported oak, maple, European Beachwood or Burma teak finish, veneer can give you.

How are veneer sheets prepared?

Natural wood – hardwood or softwood are used for this purpose. A veneer sheet up to 0.5mm thickness is used as a sticker on the top of any one of these woods to make it useful for construction purposes. The next process is coating. This veneer sheet can be coated on the surface of a blackboard, plywood, or MDF. If it’s the case of treated wood, this process is done with the application for high pressure. Veneer is available from 0.5mm to 4mm in thickness. 

Veneer substitutes are mainly used for interior décor. It can be used anywhere except the front door. So, it’s commonly used for kitchen interior design and designing of shelves and partitions in the dining room and the living room. It can be used for doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, table tops, and partitions. Though it can be used for the front door, it should be core-filled. If so, it will be stronger and resist moisture more easily.

If you want to make your interior more elegant, use glass-veneer combinations for designing shelves, windows, cabinets etc. Grilling work is simply the best.

Treated wood is durable

Waste wood is chemically treated to make useful for interiors and furniture. This category of processed wood is known as treated wood. Extra strength and life span of treated wood is due to the chemical processing. Rub wood, mahogany, red wood – treated wood of these trees is widely available in the market. They are imported from foreign countries also. Treated wood is mainly used for doors and cupboards.

Furniture of cheap cost can be made using treated wood. It’s commonly used in the interior designing of flats also. Treated wood with the finish of normal wood are available in different designs also.

The substitute – His name is plywood

Now, the no.1 substitute for wood used in construction is plywood. Small layers of normal wood are arranged one above the other to prepare plywood. Through this layering process, plywood becomes stronger, more durable, and everyone’s favourite. Plywood is prepared by the application of high pressure and temperature on the layers of wooden sheets, under desired conditions. Now plywood is available in different textures of wood, both imported and exported. It’s broadly divided into two.

Commercial plywood:

It is used for home construction purposes. 18mm thick plywood can be used for making tables. 15mm and 12 mm plywood are used for racks and cabinet making. 8, 6, 4 mm plywood are used for concreting. But we should keep it away from moisture contact.

Marine plywood:

As the name suggests, this plywood is used in the construction of ships and boats. It’s waterproof and durable. It’s available in 18, 15, 12, 8, 6, and 4 mm thickness. Very often, veneer sheets are fixed on their top and used in making panels for homes.

MDF for your interior

Waste parts of wood are converted to pulp and added with a sufficient amount of resin and wax. Then it’s treated with extra pressure and temperature to stick the mixture together to get MDF. Bamboo and less-weighted wood are used for making medium-density fibre. Though hardwood and softwood are present, hardwood is most popular. Laminated MDF is also available.

Cup boards, kitchen cabinets, partitions, furniture – MDF is most commonly used for these purposes. Any paint or wood finish can be applied on it and any design work can be done. Such designed sheets used for door making are readily available in markets, which are available in 4mm to 18mm thickness. But it should be kept away from moisture and fungal attack. If polishing is not done in a good manner, it may be attacked by pests. Readymade doors, kitchen cabinets, and bedroom cabinets made of MDF are commonly used in constructions, of which Jack wood MDF is most popular. New wood and Nova pan are two other derivations of MDF.

HDF for flooring and doors

HDF is most widely used for interior flooring. As MDF, HDF is also produced by applying high temperature and pressure. In addition to floors, HDF is also used for windows and doors. Above core filling material LDF covering is given and moulded panel doors can be made for homely purposes. Such doors have enough strength and durability.

Particle board and block board

Both are made using wooden chips. Wooden chips are nothing, but waste particles and small layered pieces of wood while it’s used for making doors and windows. When wood is cut to desired pieces, a lot of such waste wooden particles will be there. It is mixed with synthetic resin to make particle board and block board. They are used for making furniture like chairs and tables, computer table etc. They are cheap, strong enough and durable also.

Block board are a little thicker compared to particle board. Wooden sheets are neatly arranged to make thicker block boards. On either side of hardwood, plywood or veneer can be fixed, according to user’s taste. Block boards are available from 18 mm to 1 inch in thickness. Polish it once in a while and you can use it for many years. It’s most commonly used for industrial work and for making racks. Yet, excess sunlight and rain are its enemies.

Tuffen glass for a modern look

If you want to give a modern look to your interior, no need to think twice. Use glass doors. You can choose single-piece glass doors of 8-10 mm thickness without frames. If you use ceramic coating, you can attain any colour. It also gives a tinted effect. Use stainless steel fittings to fix glass doors.

Steel and glass – Amazing combination

Steel doors are no.1 in terms of durability, strength, and stiffness. Since it’s a pre-fabricated material, fixing such doors and windows are easy. Mild steel, powder-coated steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel – its derivatives are numerous. Stainless steel is a bit expensive compared to others. It can be used for main doors and windows also. If you are choosing steel for main doors, make it at least 30mm thick. For inner doors, you can use steel-glass combinations.

PVC is waterproof

PVC is most suited for bathroom doors. Lightweight, resistant to water, won’t rust, and no need to fear pests – these factors make PVC the best choice for bathrooms. It’s available in different shades and colours and no need for painting or polishing. Solid moulded PVC doors are also available nowadays. Such doors can be used as inner doors also, as it gives extra strength.

Fibre doors are cheap

Fiber re-enforced plastic (FRP) is the material used for such doors and windows and they are very cheap too. Since it is waterproof, it can be used in bathrooms. No painting is needed. It exposed to sunlight, it may fade and hence such accessories are not good for outdoor fittings.

Bison board with German technology

They are cement boards with embedded wooden pieces. Its panels can be cut into any desired shape or size. For making doors, inside wooden frames, 6-8mm thick bison boards are fitted or use 16 mm thick bison boards instead. They are resistant to pests, fire etc.

UPVC – free of stains

Unplasticized Poly Vinyl Chloride – is used for this imported pre-fabricated material. Shining surface that never catches stains or dirt and low weight makes it a popular one. It can resist any climatic variations or seasonal change and can resist rusting too. It’s easy to wash too. So, it’s best suited for doors and cabinets.

Aluminium is durable

It can be fitted easily, and its maintenance cost is very low compared to normal doors, windows, and cabinets. It has a good life span, too. Within aluminum frames, particle boards can be used (of glass or wood) to design doors or windows. You can also use an aluminum sheet as a substitute. It should be at least 12mm thick, and if particle boards are used, panels need at least 3-4 mm thickness. The quality of aluminum should be increased using powder coating before it’s used for construction purposes.

Conclusion

Through this article, I have given a brief description of wood and different substitutes that can be used for designing doors, windows, and cabinets for your interior. Hoping it will be helpful for your new home.