BLOG/ Some considerations for selecting a wooden bathroom door

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom? Selecting a new wooden bathroom door may not be as simple as it seems. There are some necessary considerations when selecting a new door, as bathrooms present a couple of particular challenges.

Bathrooms are often the smallest rooms in your home, so it can be challenging to find the right size and configuration for your door. Bathrooms are often visible from bedrooms or living spaces, so you will want to consider how this doors design might match the other doors in your home.

The inevitable fluctuation in moisture and humidity are crucial considerations when selecting a wooden bathroom door. Some interior doors are not designed to handle such drastic changes. When shopping for the right door for your bathroom, it is important to consider function, aesthetics and cost in selecting the product that will best meet your needs.

Material

Wooden doors are typically available in three options: solid wood, solid core and hollow core.The biggest difference between these three types of doors is what type of core they have, which is what will determine  the strength, longevity and cost of the door. The best door for your bathroom will one made of solid wood, as it is the least likely of the three to warp from exposure to moisture.

Solid wood doors use a engeneered construction for stile, rails and panels.They maintain the look and feel of one solid piece of wood, especially when painted.

Solid wood doors can be made of softwoods like pine, or hardwoods like oak, and are extremely customizable due to their ability to be shaped and contoured. A solid wooden bathroom door will be the least susceptible to warping from humidity, and will provide the best acoustic insulation.

Finish

The finish of a door will determine both the products appearance and its ability to withstand daily wear and tear.

When considering a wooden bathroom door, the most important thing to consider is how the finish will help the door withstand high humidity. Shellac, polyurethane or acrylic interior paint are all great options for this environment. When painting, always use a primer to provide additional protection and to help the paint adhere to the door.

Another thing to consider is what color you’d like to be, both for matching your home decor and determining how much maintenance the door will require. Light colored doors will show handprints and grime, which will require more regular cleaning to maintain its original appearance.

Swing

Floor space is a precious commodity in bathrooms.  Take a moment to consider whether the door should swing to the right or left and in or out. The door should be able to open completely without making contact with any fixture in your bathroom; especially delicate mirrors or windows.

An alternative option is to use a sliding door, which requires a clear wall space to slide onto but does otherwise provide you with more floor space.

Pre-hung or Slab Door

A pre-hung unit is a door that is already hung on a frame versus a slab door that is installed on a pre-existing frame. Pre-hung doors are easy to install if you are starting from scratch, whereas a slab door might make sense if you already have a frame. Either way, the door or the pre-hung unit should be ⅛ inch smaller than the opening in the length and the width of the jamb.

Design

Wooden doors are wonderful because there are limitless design options. Flat doors create a clean modern look that looks great in any space. Paneled doors have versatile patterns, the six-panel unit is the most common, but there are dozens of other design options to choose from.

Hardware

While you are customizing your bathroom with a new door, you have a brilliant opportunity to select hardware that matches the color and style of other drawers, handles and metalware in your bathroom. You can choose a handle and matching hinges and even add a couple of hooks for hanging towels or robes.

Making the Right Choice

How do you know what matters most when you are shopping for a new door? There are of course many options to choose from within each of the categories outlined above.

Some of them are strictly aesthetic, while other choices you make will determine how much maintenance you will have to do to keep your door looking good.

The most important considerations are those that will allow your door to both last for a long time while still looking good. Choosing a high quality, durable wooden door that is properly treated will ensure longevity and long lasting style.