Interior doors don’t often get the customization treatment, or even the attention, that exterior doors do, but this can be a mistake. The style and atmosphere of an interior are always enhanced by a well-considered door carefully crafted with quality materials.
But which materials are best for interior doors? These eight wood species have characteristics that make them ideal.
- Sapele Mahogany: This tropical African wood is characterized by its durability and rich color, making it ideal for interior doors requiring a touch of elegance and sophistication. Its dense grain provides excellent soundproofing, so it’s an especially good choice for rooms where privacy and quiet are desired, such as offices or bedrooms. This is a wood we recommend for a large portion of our work.
- Poplar: With a uniform grain and attractive pale coloring, poplar is a favored and inexpensive choice for interior doors. Its lack of knots and clean appearance suit modern-style structures particularly well. Poplar doesn’t require much sanding or filling and takes paint very well; however, because it generally has very little character in its graining, it’s not always an ideal wood to stain.
- Walnut: The naturally rich cocoa brown tones of walnut are perfect for adding a luxurious feeling to interior doors that get a lot of use — home offices, libraries, and dining rooms are ideal placements for a walnut door. It also has excellent dimensional stability, meaning it will expand or contract very little in controlled indoor climates, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- Red & White Oak: The strength and durability of oak make it a popular choice for doors that see high traffic inside a home. Red oak adds a warmer, more rustic feel, while white oak is more refined, blending well with modern interiors. Both varieties resist dents and scratches, making them suitable for active family homes.
- Maple: Maple’s fine grain and smooth surface make it attractive for painted or lightly stained finishes in modern interiors. It’s also hard enough to resist wear and tear, lending itself to use as a door for frequently used rooms, like bathrooms and bedrooms, where a sleek, clean look is preferred.
- Knotty Alder: For a warm, country aesthetic, knotty alder’s natural appearance is a smart choice for a rustic or farmhouse-style home. Its softness makes it prone to showing dings and dents, which can add to its lived-in appeal. Alder is well-suited for interior use, where it won’t be exposed to extreme temperature changes or moisture.
- Hickory: Renowned for its hardness and unique grain, hickory is ideal for interior doors intended to stand out as a design feature. Its resistance to wear ensures durability in busy areas, while its bold pattern brings rustic charm to interiors like living rooms or home offices.
- Douglas Fir: Douglas fir’s straight grain and consistent texture make it ideal for minimalist or modern interior doors. It’s lightweight yet durable, perfect for larger door panels inside the home where strength is desired without the heaviness of some hardwoods.
Which Wood Species Is Right for You?
Finding the right combination of a wood’s grain, strength, weight, and color for your interior door can elevate the feel of a space. Likewise, a poorly chosen wood species can detract from the overall ambiance while not holding up to the demands of its use.
Before you begin your next interior door project, consult the experts at Vintage Millwork & Restoration — we have the knowledge and experience to help you make the right choice.
