An interior door, primarily found in residential houses, is a door installed at the entrances within a home.
They come in various forms such as swing doors, sliding doors, and folding doors. Their diversity lies not only in their shapes but also in features like the presence or absence of glass, colors, and materials. Although they can be used in office buildings and commercial facilities, such places commonly use what are termed "facility-specific doors."
Uses of Interior Doors
Interior Doors are mainly used at various entrances within a residential house. These include:
- Living rooms
- Toilets
- Wash areas
- Bathrooms
- Closets and other storage spaces
The appropriate type of door, whether it be a swing, sliding, or folding door, is selected based on its intended use.
Principles of Interior Doors
The main types of interior doors are swing doors, sliding doors, and folding doors.
1. Swing Doors
A swing door opens by being pushed or pulled from one side. A door made up of a single panel is called a "single-leaf door," a pair of doors that open in a folding manner is known as "double-leaf doors," and a design with one smaller door is referred to as a "parent-child door."
Swing doors offer higher airtightness and better sound insulation compared to sliding doors. They don't require thresholds or rails, allowing for a flat floor finish. However, they need enough space to accommodate the door's swinging arc.
Swing doors operate by retracting a latch bolt using the door knob. When not in use, the latch bolt acts as a stopper. By manipulating the doorknob, the latch bolt can be retracted to open the door. There are various types of door knobs, including ball-type and lever-handle designs.
Sliding Doors: A sliding door opens and closes horizontally, moving along rails or grooves and retracting into a wall. Types of sliding doors include "single sliding doors," which retract into either side of the wall, "split sliding doors," where two doors slide in opposite directions, and "pocket sliding doors," which retract into the wall cavity.
Sliding doors have lower airtightness compared to swing doors but do not require space for the door swing and can be left open. However, the wall portion where the door retracts cannot be used for furniture or decorations.
There are two main mechanisms: the conventional type with floor rails and the "overhead sliding door," which is mounted on the ceiling, allowing for a flat floor finish.
2. Folding Doors
Folding doors bend when opened and consist of multiple connected panels. They are used not only for room entrances but also as partition doors and closet doors. They require less space than swing doors for opening and closing.
If ceiling-mounted, these doors can eliminate the need for floor rails, allowing for a fully flat floor surface. They are ideal for dividing or opening up large spaces and convenient for closets where large items need to be moved in and out.
Types of Interior Doors
Interior doors are categorized into swing, sliding, and folding doors based on their shape. Other classifications include size, design, and functionality.
1. Size-based Classification
In addition to standard doors, there are "high doors" that extend up to the ceiling, giving the impression of a higher ceiling and a more spacious room.
2. Lighting and Design Classification
In terms of lighting and design, there are various types of doors with glass. For instance, doors with small windows are commonly used in toilets, while living rooms may have doors with extensive glass coverage or small window designs.
3. Functional Classification
Functionally, there are soundproof doors, doors with soft-close mechanisms, and doors with pet entryways. The appropriate choice depends on the intended use.
