Homeowners trying to differentiate their homes are on the lookout for interior fixtures that are not only functional but also are an extension of the home's decor. Interior doors are now playing a larger part in adorning inside spaces and maintaining a continuous architectural style. Many manufacturers of interior doors are closely following the style trends in wood cabinetry to draw inspiration for their door designs, and traditional four-and six-panel door styles are now making way for more architectural styles.
"Two-panel and arch-top panel style doors are becoming more popular, as well as flat-panel," notes Scott Honey, door products coordinator for Kolbe & Kolbe. "Flat-panel interior door sales have skyrocketed recently."
Homeowners seeking to spread more natural light throughout their homes are opting to upgrade to glass-panel doors for many room entries. "People are getting used to the idea that they don't have to have a solid piece of wood in the doorway," says Bob Ormond, director of sales and marketing for Signamark.
Not just reserved for showcase rooms anymore, decorative glass-panel and French-style doors are now being speced for master suites, closets, bathrooms, laundries, home offices, and for separating adjacent rooms. Manufacturers note that frosted and etched designs as well as textured glass are favored over clear glass to maintain privacy while allowing light to pass through.
No longer is the homeowner content with just any door. "They are much more sophisticated in regards to the elements that go into their house," says Jim Daniels, sales manager for the maker of Woodport doors, Heritage Veneered Products.
"This phenomenon of personalization and customization of homes is going to continue and grow even more," says Kelly Reynolds, product manager for Jeld-Wen's interior door marketing.
Simpson Door. Redi-Prime Shaker style interior doors feature flat rectangular panels with square sticking and come factory-primed, ready for painting. The doors are available in a variety of panel door and bifold configurations and in standard widths from 1 foot, 2 inches to 3 feet. Each door comes in a standard 6-foot, 8-inch height. (800) 952-4057. www.simpson-door.com.
Beveled Glass Works. The Rustic Door line features prefinished and prehung doors handcrafted in nearly any species of wood. With a variety of furniture-grade finishes, there are more than 58 possible combinations of woods and stains. The door line can also be ordered without the pre-hung system. (800) 421-0518. www.bgworks.com.
Andersen Windows.Three hardware collections designed to complement the maker's 200 and 400 Series patio doors have been added. The Metro Collection includes Tribeca and Anvers. The Estate Collection features Newbury, Whitmore, and Covington. The Andiron Collection features Encino and Yuma. (800) 426-4261. www.andersenwindows.com.
Therma-Tru. Constructed of pultruded fiberglass with tempered low-E glass and double weather stripping, the Slim-Line Patio Door System combines thermal performance with low-maintenance qualities. The patio doors are available in one-, two-, three-, and four-panel configurations and heights of 6 feet, 8 inches and 8 feet. Available in white, almond, stone, and bronze and with optional internal grids, the patio door has a DP-50 performance rating. (800) 843-7628. www.thermatru.com.
CraftMaster Door Designs. CraftMaster Caiman Smooth doors feature a two-panel design and come in passage and bifold configurations. Standard 6-foot, 8-inch and 8-foot heights are available. The doors are manufactured from high-density molded fiber-board and will resist shrinking, cracking, and joint separation. (800) 405-2233. www.craftmasterdoordesigns.com.
Jeld-Wen. IWP Sculpted Glass doors, featuring three-dimensional artistic glass panels, are available in a wide variety of wood species. The doors come in six styles: Vineyard, Harvest, Art Deco, Ocean Waves, Mediterranean, and Game Room. The doors are available prehung. (800) 877-9482. www.jeld-wen.com.
Masonite. The Palazzo Series of interior doors features raised moldings and high-definition panel profiles in two designs: Bellagio with two arched panels and Capri with two squared panels. The company's Premcor door core and a wood frame lend the weight and feel of solid wood to these doors, the maker says. Widths up to 3 feet are available in 6-foot, 8-inch, 7-foot, and 8-foot heights. (800) 663-3667. www.masonite.com.
Signamark. Master Suite doors featuring art glass panels are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and configurations to highlight the entrance to a home's master bedroom. Decorative glass options include beveled or grooved glass and sandblasted, clear, or gluechip glass accents. Caming comes in brass, zinc, or antique patina metal. The art glass is protected between two panels of insulated tempered safety glass. (800) 803-8182. www.signamark.com.
Stanley Door Systems. The Decorative Collection of Mirror Doors comes in four embellished styles: Silver Leaf, Brushstroke, Ornamental Wood, and Floral Leaf. All styles feature 3-inch-wide frames and 3.0 millimeter safety-backed mirror glass. The doors come in 4-, 5-, and 6-foot widths in 6-foot, 8-inch and 8-foot heights. (800) 782-6539. www.stanleyworks.com.