Most homeowners have traditionally preferred wooden doors. However, due to the enormous variety of options now available in the market, even purchasing a wooden door can be a confusing affair. Both engineered and solid wooden doors are currently the most popular options. The latter can, however, be easily replaced by engineered wooden doors as they mimic the look and feel of actual wood while actually being much stronger and more durable.
Solid wood and engineered wood doors may have similar exteriors, but they are made of completely different materials. If you want to buy a wooden door for your home, it is best to first thoroughly research both types to choose whichever is a better fit for your home.
Properties of Solid Wood
Solid wooden doors are entirely constructed of wood, with the exception of its hardware, which is normally made of metal. These traditional wooden doors are substantial, strong, and somewhat pricey.
However, they have a pretty refined appearance and can add a touch of sophistication to your home’s decor. In addition, they can be moulded into any shape and design. You can also paint them in any colour you prefer.
These doors can be made from a single piece of solid wood or from a frame/panels of wood. This can either be hardwood, such as oak, or softwood, like pine. However, the type of wood you choose must be appropriate for the intended placement and use.
Solid wood doors are frequently utilised as entrance doors in homes for increased protection due to their strength and robustness.
Additionally, because these doors are effective insulators and do not conduct heat or energy, they are energy-efficient. Due to their thickness, doors made of hardwood are also good at soundproofing a space.
Every species of wood has a particular level of toughness, durability, and humidity because it is a natural building material. Pine, kail, diyar, and ashwood are some of the types of wood that are most frequently used in Pakistan to make doors.
Properties of Engineered Wood
They can be conceptualized as a modern twist on the production of traditional wooden doors. They are made up of many engineered wood sheets, such as hardboard or fibreboard. To create a complicated, solid core, these sheets are adhered to one another and then compressed. Edge banders (strips made of plastic or wood) are attached to its edges, and its outer layer is covered with natural wood veneer for finishing.
Both types of doors share a similar appearance, making it impossible to distinguish between them at first glance. The only notable difference between the two is that engineered doors do not exhibit any of the drawbacks of conventional wooden doors.
Additionally, they are far more affordable than solid wood doors in Pakistan. The low price is frequently taken as a sign of poor quality; however, this is not always the case.
Engineered wood doors provide comparable or somewhat better features than the other types, despite being less expensive. They are the strongest of its counterparts because they are extremely durable and dense, occasionally even weighing more than solid timber doors.
There are many different engineered wood doors with various sizes and styles available in the market. They provide excellent soundproofing, are fire-resistant, and are not easily damaged by any moisture in the air.
They can also be moulded and painted to resemble standard panel-and-frame wood doors.
Pros of Using Solid Wood
- They give the property a timeless visual appeal.
- Considering their high cost raises the value of a property, purchasing them can be a good investment.
Cons of Using Solid Wood
- They are very susceptible to weathering.
- They are more prone to warping.
- A door’s capacity to insulate is negatively impacted by phenomena like warping and twisting, which reduces its energy efficiency.
- Solid wood is susceptible to moisture, so solid wooden doors are not a good option for people who live in humid environments.
- They are made entirely of natural wood, which has a negative impact on the environment.
Pros of Using Engineered Wood
- Engineered wooden doors are produced in factories and have a considerably more robust core, making them resistant to moisture and other elements.
- Compared to solid wooden doors, they are stronger and more resilient.
- They are more environmentally friendly because less wood is required to build them. Plus, they are priced reasonably.
- In the case of engineered wood, the range of options and degree of customisation is enormous.
Cons of Using Engineered Wood
- Heavy and dense engineered timber is challenging to work with.
- It needs to have lippings on the edges of it. If not, the veneer layers would show, giving the surface a rough appearance.
- Typically, urea-formaldehyde resin, which may release hazardous fumes and worsen air quality, is used to create the wood.
- Some types of engineered wood boards do not demonstrate strong resistance to humidity, which could cause their veneer to peel off.
