Hollow vs. Solid Doors: Which is the Better Choice?

Wooden door.

When repairing or renovating your home, you’ll be presented with a number of decisions to make regarding fixtures and finishes. While the paint colors, drawer pulls, and lighting fixtures may only carry aesthetic value, other elements, such as your interior door selections, will have a significant impact on your budget as well as the overall feel, style, and functionality of your space.

The wrong type of door could negatively impact the look, feel, and functionality of your home, while the right door could bring a level of elegance and functionality to your space that is currently missing.

However, before you make a decision on which type of doors are right for you,  we’ll help you get familiar with the types and styles available to you. 

Types of Interior Doors

In order to maximize your comfort and investment without breaking the bank, give careful consideration when deciding on interior doors.

Wooden doors are heavy and expensive. Solid wood doors are primarily used for the main entrance of a home, but are used for interior doors sparingly. Other options are solid-core and hollow-core doors.

Solid Wood Doors

Not only do doors serve a functional purpose, but they also affect the feel and style of your space. Many homeowners feel that solid wood doors add a richer look and feel to the home.

Solid wooden doors are made entirely out of wood, including the core. They are sometimes embellished with architectural or stylistic details and can be stained or painted however the homeowner desires. Given their strong structure, they are an excellent choice for a main entrance. 

Solid Wood Door Pros:

There are a variety of pros to installing a solid wood door, including:

  • Excellent insulation and sound-dampening qualities.
  • The potential return on investment for buyers.
  • Less prone to damage.
  • An abundance of options with regard to wood type and style.
  • Also available in fire-rated models.
  • Easier to repair when damaged.

Solid Wood Door Cons:

Some cons of solid wooden doors include:

  • Price, which can be 50 percent higher than the cost of a hollow-core door
  • Prone to expansion and/or shrinkage due to fluctuations in temperature or moisture
  • More challenging to install due to the added weight

What Is a Solid-Core Door?

Solid-core doors are used for both interior and exterior applications. They come with the benefits of