Whichever material you choose for your door, you typically have the choice between a solid or hollow core. For example, if you want a wood door you can get a door that is entirely wood with no other materials in it. Or you can get a door with a thin veneer of your chosen wood and a core made of some other material. Typically, this material is lighter and more affordable. However, it isn’t necessarily true that a hollow core door is better than a solid one. There are merits to both. Which you should choose depends on your needs. We’ll compare the two below to help you decide.
Costs
Hollow core doors tend to cost less than solid core doors. They have their highest quality material only on the outside. The core isn’t hollow. Instead, it is made of a softer, lighter, less expensive material. If budget is your largest concern, it is safe to say that hollow core doors will be very attractive to you.
Durability
Solid core doors are more durable than hollow core doors. They have more heft and can deal with force and repeated use better. A solid door may last longer, but it should also scratch just as easily as a hollow core door that has an identical veneer. If choosing a hollow core door allows you to afford a more durable material for the veneer, then you might find this option is the most scratch-resistant.
Weight and Installation
Solid core doors weigh more than hollow core doors. While this is great for durability, it has its cost in operation. It is harder to open a heavier door. This can be a problem when you need your doors to be highly accessible. It can also make installation a bit more challenging—but that part isn’t something you should necessarily take into account when making your decision.
Sound and Efficiency
Solid core doors do a much better job of resisting sound as it passes through them. They also do a better job of resisting temperature. That means that they can create a quiet environment in your building and also help improve its energy efficiency. For some commercial door applications, the sound dampening impact of a door is incredibly important—like in recording studios. Or, you may have energy efficiency as a primary goal for your organization. For either application, solid core doors are best.
Fireproofing
You can find solid and hollow core doors with a range of fire ratings. However, it is simpler to engineer a solid core door for higher fire resistance ratings. A more solid material just generally does a better job of stopping smoke. You may find it more affordable to find a solid core door at your fire rating.
Style Options
Hollow core doors are typically available in a wider range of styles. Plus, so long as the veneer on the door is of the same material as a solid door, it’s quite challenging to tell them apart from an aesthetic perspective. Hollow core doors may look best, although their lesser quality will be revealed by weight when someone touches them.
Reach out to your trusted commercial door installer in El Dorado Hills or beyond, to discuss whether solid core or hollow core doors are better for your purposes.
