The Finewood Door Buying Guide
Choosing new internal doors should be simple. Pick a style, pick a colour, job done.
Unfortunately, many customers find out the hard way that there’s more to it than that. At Finewood Doors in Falkirk, we regularly help customers who have run into problems by overlooking some of the less obvious parts of the door buying process.
To help you avoid costly or frustrating mistakes, we have created this simple door buying checklist. These ten things are often forgotten, but they can make all the difference to how your new door looks, fits, and functions in your home.
1. Which Way Will Your Door Open?
It sounds obvious, but door swings can cause big problems if not thought through early. You need to decide if your door should open inwards or outwards, and whether the hinges should be on the left or right when the door opens towards you.
This will affect how the door fits in the room and whether it clashes with furniture, walls, light switches, or even other doors nearby. Getting this wrong can mean re-hanging the door or even having to order a new one.
Tip: Stand in the room the door will open into, then decide which side feels more natural for the hinges and handle.
2. Have You Measured the Frame Properly?
Many people measure the old door instead of the frame. While this can give you a rough idea, it is the door frame opening that really matters. You will need the height, width and depth of the opening to ensure a good fit.
Also check if the frame is square. Older homes sometimes have frames that lean or twist slightly, which might need adjusting before fitting a new door.
Tip: Always measure at multiple points (top, middle and bottom), especially for width. Use the smallest measurement as your guide.
3. Do You Know the Standard Door Sizes?
Internal doors in the UK are available in a range of standard sizes, but not every home follows the same rules. Common widths include 610 mm, 686 mm, 762 mm, 838 mm and 914 mm, but measuring your space is essential before ordering.
Finewood Doors offers a wide selection of sizes, and some styles can even be trimmed slightly to fit your frame. But always check how much you can trim—some doors have solid cores, others do not.
Tip: Do not assume all doors in your house are the same size. Measure each one individually.
4. Will the Door Work with Your Existing Frames?
Not all internal doors are compatible with all frame types. If your home has older or non-standard frames, check that the door you choose will sit properly within the rebate (the groove where the door fits).
Some modern doors are thicker or heavier than older doors, which might need stronger hinges or a deeper rebate.
Tip: Take a photo of your current frame or bring measurements with you when visiting a showroom or ordering online.
5. Is the Core Type Suitable for the Room?
Internal doors come with different core types: hollow core, solid core, or semi-solid. Each type has benefits.
Hollow core: Lightweight and affordable. Ideal for rooms that do not need much soundproofing.
Solid core: Heavier, more durable, and better at reducing noise between rooms.
Semi-solid: A balance between the two.
Think about where the door is going. A solid core door might be a better choice for bedrooms, bathrooms or rooms you want to keep quieter.
Tip: If you have children or pets, a sturdier door is less likely to dent or warp over time.
6. Have You Considered Fire Safety?
In certain parts of your home—especially in flats, stairwells or loft conversions—you may need to install a fire-rated door. These are designed to slow the spread of fire and give you extra time to leave the building safely.
Fire doors are thicker and heavier, and they must be fitted with the correct intumescent strips, hinges and closers to meet regulations.
Tip: If in doubt, speak to your installer or check building regulations for your area before placing an order.
7. Are You Planning to Reuse the Handles or Hinges?
Door hardware is easy to forget, but it can cause delays or extra costs if you do not plan ahead. Some customers plan to reuse their old handles and locks, only to discover they do not fit the new door’s thickness or style.
Others forget to order hinges or latch kits at all, causing a hold-up when the installer arrives.
Tip: If you are ordering new doors, it is best to order new hardware at the same time to ensure everything fits correctly and looks fresh.
8. Will the Door Need to Be Cut to Size?
Some doors can be trimmed slightly on the top, bottom and sides. Others have engineered cores that limit how much can be removed without damaging the structure.
Check the product details or ask before buying, especially if your doorways are not quite standard. Trimming too much can void warranties or ruin the door’s finish.
Tip: Allow for flooring changes. If you are adding carpet or vinyl, you might need extra clearance under the door.
9. Do You Want a Glazed or Solid Door?
This is not just a style choice—it is also about how much light you want to allow between rooms. Glazed internal doors can brighten darker hallways and create a more open feel in the home, while solid doors offer more privacy and noise control.
If you are choosing a glazed door, check that it uses toughened safety glass. This is especially important in homes with children or pets.
Tip: Matching glazed and solid versions of the same door style can help create consistency throughout your home.
10. Have You Thought About the Finish?
Internal doors come in a range of finishes, including:
Primed: Ready for painting. Offers flexibility but needs more work before installation.
Pre-finished: Fully finished and ready to hang. Great for speed and consistency.
Laminated or veneered: Durable and easy to clean. Ideal for busy homes.
White internal doors remain one of the most popular choices due to their versatility and fresh look, but natural oak and grey tones are also in demand.
Tip: If you plan to paint, choose a paint designed for internal woodwork that is easy to clean and touch up.
Buying new doors is not something you do often, so it is worth getting it right the first time. By going through this checklist before you order, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and make sure your doors not only look great but also function well in your home.
At Finewood Doors, we are here to help. Whether you need advice on sizes, finishes, glazing or hardware, our team can guide you through the process. Visit our Falkirk showroom or browse online to explore our full range of internal doors, including white doors, glazed options and fire rated models.
