Internal vs External Doors

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Internal vs External Doors By Aazdak Alisimo

When you are considering doors, you realize that they are either passageways from one room to another or from the building to the outside. These are internal vs. external doors.

Many people view a door as a door and do not see much difference between internal vs. external doors. In the case of door construction, this basic function difference is all important. The external door is more than just a passageway from one place to another. It is a barrier to intrusion and against the elements. The internal door does little more than provide privacy.

This functional difference dictates the material and construction method of the doors. An external door needs to be made of a sturdy and solid material that can resist the exposure to the outside and also is not easily broken down to provide security. The materials used in the construction of the external door must address all of these concerns and like external windows must all consider insulation and sealing as well.

The external door must not only be of heavier construction, but must also be mounted in a more secure manner. It would not provide much security if it could easily be kicked in or knocked off its hinges. So, not only the materials, but also the mounting must be selected with the function of security in mind. Since the internal door is mostly used for privacy purposes, these factors are not as important. Internal doors are usually of hollowed wooden construction and are mounted on simple door frames.

There are some cases, such as in certain commercial buildings, where an internal door will require external door standards. This is because the function of security is important despite the location of the door. Although the terms external and internal door refer to location, they could also refer to function in this case. The external door is sturdy and solid and provides security. The internal door is light and provides only privacy.

External doors can take many forms from the stately double doors of a large home entry way to the sliding glass doors leading from a downstairs room to the back patio. Despite the form that they take, the main functions of protection, insulation, and a barrier to the outside elements should never be


forgotten in the selection process. It is in the internal door that imagination and style can be used. The internal door can become a part of the decorative motif of the internal design since privacy is its major function.

Internal Doors & External Doors from Blacketts Doors UK


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