Interior doors - composite solid core or MDF? Which is better?
Hi, I'm looking to replace my interior hollow core 6 panel doors with some kind of solid door. I've been looking at the solid core 2 panel (arch top) at various places (Jeld-wen, Masonite), but just heard about solid MDF doors (Trustile, Bolection). I'm wondering whether these solid MDF doors would be better quality? How does the cost compare? And is there any downside to the MDF doors (e.g. too heavy??)? Are they not worth the extra cost (not better soundproofing)? Any other insight would be appreciated as well! Thanks! The solid masonite or mdf doors are a lot heavier than their wooden counterpart. I'd either go with a solid wood panel door or stay with hollow core. Thanks! What exactly do you mean by solid wood panel door - what product would that include? Actually, the type of doors marketed as Safe-n-Sound (Masonite) which use a sort of un-compressed HDF core are better at sound and fire suppression than a solid wood door. They are also very stable in different temp and humidity conditions. They do weigh more, but not as much as a solid core door. You might need to go to 3 hinges...but maybe not if you use long screws to reach the framing. Non-issue if you go pre-hung. They were always a special order thing and added about $30 to the cost of the door. S/O gives you much more in the way of options on style, finish (smooth or grained), hinge finish, etc. What the point in buying doors off the shelf with brass hinges then using brushed nickle handle sets? These shouldn't be confused with the solid core doors often sold in home centers as cheap alternatives for sheds and such. solid wood panel door example - Shop ReliaBilt 24-in x 80-in 6-Panel Solid Pine Right-Hand Interior Single Prehung Door at Lowes.com Thanks. I definitely do not want to keep my hollow doors as they feel very cheap and are not very effective at soundproofing. So I did find out that solid MDF (Trustile) are about 3 times more expensive than solid core ($400+ vs $100+). I don't think I want to spend $400+ on each door, so am thinking solid core will have to do. I don't really need solid wood doors (I'm going with 2 panel painted white). Is Masonite Safe-n-Sound better than Jeld-Wen or Reliabilt? Or are they all pretty comparable? Lowes has Reliabilt on sale through Nov 1st -- wondering if that's a viable option. Thanks! Very comparable....I doubt there's a bit of difference between the 3 except in specific patterns and minor details. Jed-Wen has options I never saw before. Inset mirror panels, magnetic chaulkboards, etc. The others may have them as well. Btw...though the safe-n-sound type aren't advertised as being fire resistant (didn't pass the 20 min UL test), they last about 15 min IIRC. A regular hollow core burned through in something like 4-5? Kinda funny...looks like Reliabilt interior doors are actually made by Jeld-Wen for Lowes?
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