Choosing Interior Doors for Sustainable Households

Countertops and floors may be fun to choose from, but don’t overlook the benefits of quality interior doors! 

Today's homes come standard with hollow interior doors throughout, an easy cost savings for the builder but a potentially big headache for future homeowners.

Whether you’re building a brand spanking new home or renovating an older house with good bones, interior doors play a big part in the life you and your family will spend inside its walls. Choosing the right interior doors for each room in your home can truly make it home sweet home. 

Traditional Solid Wood Interior Doors

When most people think of a door, thoughts immediately turn to a hard, solid wood door, a door with a heft made from a thick cut of wood. 

We want a bedroom door that will slam nice and hard to prove a point. And a thick door that stifles the constant noise of that new band your teenager listens to on max volume is necessary to keep the peace (and your sanity!)

Thick Wood Doors Hold the Heat In

Solid wood doors are ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms for their noise cancellation qualities and insulation. 

A solid wood door installed to seal securely can significantly reduce your home’s energy consumption by preventing heat and air conditioning from leaking. The heavy wood provides a thick barrier, making it easier to keep rooms warm and toasty on snowy days and cooler on those summer scorchers.

To further decrease your environmental footprint, close the interior doors to rooms like guest bedrooms and home offices when not in use. Your solid wood doors will seal those rooms off to help reduce your energy bill.

But keep in mind that solid wood doors are, well, solid. Installing new solid wood interior doors is a two-person job that is well worth the effort. For the least environmental impact, use solid wood doors sparingly and with intention.