Three examples of different door types
Compare 14 common door types
| Type | What the name describes | Main planning point |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Interior | Use between indoor spaces. | Privacy, sound, room access and finish. |
| 2. Exterior | Use at the building’s outside boundary. | Weather, security, drainage and required performance. |
| 3. Hinged | A leaf swings on side hinges. | Allow for the swing and latch clearance. |
| 4. Sliding patio | Panels slide within a purpose-built exterior system. | Evaluate the complete tested frame, sill and glass assembly. |
| 5. Sliding barn | A panel travels on exposed or concealed wall-mounted hardware. | Reserve a clear parking area beside the opening. |
| 6. Pocket | A panel retracts into a wall cavity. | Coordinate framing, services and access before closing the wall. |
| 7. Dutch | Upper and lower portions can operate separately. | Specify compatible hinges, latches and meeting details. |
| 8. French | A style with glazed panels, commonly in a pair. | Confirm operation, privacy and the glass specification. |
| 9. Bifold | Connected panels fold together. | Measure the folded stack and room-side projection. |
| 10. Pivot | A leaf rotates on a pivot system. | Check both sides of its swing and the usable opening. |
| 11. Bypass | Panels pass one another on parallel paths. | Check how much access remains when panels stack. |
| 12. Double | Two door leaves form one opening. | Decide which leaf operates daily and how the pair latches. |
| 13. Flush | The face is largely flat and unpaneled. | Core construction and finish still vary. |
| 14. Panel | Rails and stiles frame one or more panels. | Compare proportions, material and glazing options. |
Match movement to the floor plan
A sliding barn door frees the floor from a swinging leaf but uses adjacent wall space. A pocket door stores the panel inside the wall. A pivot door still needs a swing zone, including the smaller portion of the panel behind its pivot.
Where several panels share an opening, compare bifold, bypass and bi-parting movement. Draw the doors fully open, not just closed. Include a sofa, cabinet or closet drawer on that drawing so conflicts appear before you order.
Choose the right assembly for the location
An interior slab and a front entry door assembly have different jobs. Exterior performance depends on the frame, threshold, seals, glazing and installation as well as the panel. Do not turn an interior product into an exterior door simply by applying a finish.
Bathrooms, bedrooms and offices need a realistic privacy plan. Glass treatment affects visibility; perimeter gaps and construction affect sound. A door that blocks the view does not necessarily provide the level of acoustic privacy you want. For a noisy room, use the assembly checks in the door soundproofing guide.
Separate style from construction
A French door can be interior or exterior. A Dutch door can use different materials and panel patterns. A flush face does not tell you whether the core is hollow or solid. Read the specifications rather than deciding from the name alone.
If daylight matters, compare door window and glass layouts. If a pair suits the opening, compare interior double doors and exterior double doors within their intended locations.
Slab and prehung describe what arrives
A slab is the door leaf. A prehung door includes a door fitted to a frame, with the exact package contents depending on the order. Neither term tells you the door’s style. Confirm whether casing, lockset, threshold and other hardware are included.
The slab door guide explains that distinction in more detail. Reusing a frame requires checking its condition, dimensions and hardware preparation; a matching width alone is not enough.
Make a short door schedule before shopping
- Room and whether the opening is interior or exterior.
- Finished opening and rough-opening information, clearly labeled.
- Required movement, handing and available clearance.
- Privacy, daylight, ventilation and any project performance requirements.
- Material, finish, hardware preparation and installation responsibility.
Use that schedule to compare the door collection on equal terms. For sound-sensitive spaces, review door soundproofing options before settling on the door type.
Planning a client project?
Putting together a door schedule for a client? Rustica’s trade program for contractors and designers explains professional eligibility and how to apply.
