Introduction: Why Panel Doors Are Popular

A timeless and versatile choice for home and business, panel doors combine functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

This guide covers everything you need to know about panel doors, from their key features and various styles to helpful tips for selecting the perfect one for your needs.

Understanding Panel Doors

What Are Panel Doors?

Panel doors are designed with a framework that features recessed panels. These panels can vary in number, shape, and material, allowing for a range of designs to suit different interior styles.

As these doors feature thicker rails and stiles than standard doors, they are more durable and offer better insulation and soundproofing. Their panelled design also makes them far more attractive than a standard door.

Common Materials for Panel Doors

Panel doors are available in many materials, each with pros and cons. Overall, the material of a panel door affects its appearance, durability, insulation, and maintenance.

Wood and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) are the most durable and offer some of the best insulation. While MDF is very hardy, wooden doors need more long-term maintenance to keep them looking their best.

Laminate is a durable, moisture-resistant option, ideal for humid areas. However, once these composite doors start showing extensive wear and tear, they may need replacing rather than repairing.

Panel doors with glass are also very popular as they let light in. However, you may need to place panes if they get damaged, and if the door is made from wood, maintenance will be required to keep it looking its best year after year. While the glass allows light in, it also reduces your privacy unless completely frosted.

In each material, you'll find panel doors in various widths, thicknesses, and heights. Depending on the material, you can choose different finishes, such as unfinished, primed, pre-finished, painted and fully finished. Different colour choices are available, too, with shades of white, grey, charcoal, and natural wood hues being amongst the most popular.

Types of Panel Doors

Single Panel vs. Multi-Panel Doors

Single-panel doors feature a sleek, minimalist design ideal for modern interiors that prioritise simplicity and clean lines. In contrast, multi-panel doors have more intricate designs and multiple sections, providing a more decorative aesthetic that suits all kinds of spaces, whether classic or contemporary.

Both styles of door can be used in homes and businesses, but multi-panel designs provide more versatility in customisation and visual appeal.

Classic Panel Door Styles

Ideal for traditional interiors, classic panel doors are available in various styles, such as flat, raised, and Shaker-style.

Flat panel doors feature clean, smooth surfaces that complement minimalist and modern spaces while maintaining a timeless appeal.

Classic panel door styles feature raised panels, creating an elegant, three-dimensional look that adds depth and sophistication. The panels may be square, rectangular, or have curved or arched sections for added aesthetic appeal.

Shaker-style doors have simple recessed central panels and straight frame lines that blend classic charm with contemporary practicality.

Modern Panel Door Innovations

Modern panel door innovations include designs incorporating glass elements, such as frosted, etched or glazed panels. The addition of glass allows for more natural light, while frosting or etching maintains privacy. Many modern panel doors incorporate glass in contemporary designs, with curved panels complemented by clean lines.

Sliding panel doors are another contemporary option, offering space-saving functionality and a modern aesthetic. With so many designs to choose from, panel sliding doors can be hung barn-door style or on recessed sliders for a sleeker look. You can also opt for stackable or foldable panel doors on sliders and use them for privacy and insulation or to open up spaces as desired.

Panel Door Buying Guide

Key Factors to Consider

Panel doors come in various styles to suit different needs. Solid wood doors made from pine or oak offer a premium, timeless look with excellent durability, but they may require regular maintenance, such as oiling, varnishing or painting to prevent warping or cracking.

MDF is an intermediate option as it is also durable, resistant to warping, and easy to paint, while laminate doors provide the appearance of solid wood with a grained texture and are highly durable and moisture-resistant.

Glass panel doors add elegance and natural light; however, especially if used in high-traffic areas, the glass can crack or break and require replacement.

Cost Comparison by Material and Style

If you're on a tight budget, primed moulded panel doors are generally the most affordable, while unfinished pine panel doors are also readily available at a lower price.

Laminate doors are more expensive, and solid wood doors, especially immaterial ones like oak, have a higher price tag.

Generally, panel doors with glass panes are the most expensive, especially if they feature multiple panel designs and include glazed, frosted, or etched glass.

Maintenance Tips for Panel Doors

Cleaning and Care

Proper care helps extend the life of your panel doors and keeps them in tip-top condition.

Wooden doors need painting, polishing, or varnishing to maintain their appearance and protection from moisture to prevent warping. If you buy an unfinished door, you will need to ensure it is finished with the correct products, but if you purchase a pre-finished, primed, or fully finished door, you'll only need to perform maintenance every few years.

Glass panel doors require regular cleaning to stay smudge-free, while laminate doors only need a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth. If your glass doors are made from wood, the same tips apply, but if they are laminate, you won't need to paint or varnish them as the composite provides a long-lasting protective layer. Just be sure to use products suitable for laminate, or the coating may get damaged.

As these doors all have recessed panels, they also attract dust, so they should be dusted regularly to keep them clean.

Handling Wear and Tear

To handle wear and tear on panel doors, promptly address scratches and dents by sanding and refinishing or using wood filler for deeper marks. If your door is made of laminate, you can use a putty or wax filler and a touch-up marker to repair the damage.

For long-term care, clean your door with products appropriate for the materials that won't strip the varnish, paint, or coatings, and apply protective finishes to preserve its durability and appearance.

If your hinges get squeaky, lubricate them regularly with a silicone spray or lithium grease to maintain smooth operation. If this does not work, it's best to replace them, especially if they've rusted. The same applies to sticky handles or doorknobs.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Due to their solid construction, panel doors contribute to energy efficiency by minimising draughts and air leaks and helping to maintain indoor temperatures. By keeping them closed, you can save on energy costs and maintain a consistent temperature in a room. While some heat may be lost from glass in glass panel doors, if the glass is glazed, it will keep the heat in and improve your energy efficiency.

Opting for doors made from sustainable materials, such as responsibly sourced wood or energy-efficient composites, can reduce environmental impact. Many panel doors also feature insulation or eco-friendly finishes, making them a greener choice. Due to their durability, these doors last longer and seldom require replacement, making them a better option for eco-conscious home and business owners.

Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Panel Door

Panel doors combine form and function, making them an excellent choice for any home or business. Whether you prefer the warmth of traditional wood, the modernity of glass, or the practicality of laminate, there's a design to suit your needs.

Using the insights from this guide, homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, architects, and interior designers can make informed decisions about which panel doors best suit their needs.