Interior Doors You'll Love

Published: March 07, 2022

By the Estate Millwork Design Team | Craftsmen since 1997

Your home is your sanctuary and the details that make it your space should bring you happiness and comfort. While they can often be overlooked, the doors in your home play a major role in the overall feel of your home, it's not enough to just pick a wooden door for your home, you have to choose the right wooden door to match your home and style.

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Knotty Alder

Every different type of wood species can help you achieve a different look in your home and some are better for interior doors than others. One of the more popular door species is Knotty Alder because of its beautiful grain pattern, affordability and it stains well. One of the key characteristics that makes alder stand apart from other woods is its unique knots and grain pattern that gives it its charm. Naturally knotty alder is a light brown color which can sometimes feature a peach or yellow undertone.

While it is possible to paint alder doors it can be more time consuming as you will need to fill any cracks and knots in the grain so they do not show through the paint. For this reason we recommend staining over painting alder.

Poplar

The second most popular choice for interior doors is poplar, while it's color is a similar light brown to alder it also has yellow and greenish hues and has a less drastic grain pattern. The fine grain of poplar make it a popular choice for more modern spaces. Because of the fine grain of poplar it is recommended that it is painted and not stained. If you are looking for an affordable door that will be painted, poplar doors are your best choice.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a darker wood with a reddish-brown color similar to cherry and cedar that darkens with age. The main difference between mahogany and other woods is it's tight grain pattern, and coloring that creates a distinct recognizable pattern. Most homeowners opt to finish mahogany with a clear or lightly tinted stain to preserve this beautiful unique color pattern. On top of its beauty mahogany is relatively rot resistant and stable, meaning it will shrink and swell less than other hardwoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wood species work best for interior doors?

Poplar is the most popular choice for painted interior doors due to its smooth grain and affordability. For stained doors, Red Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Walnut each offer distinctive grain patterns and color tones. The best species depends on whether you plan to paint or stain.

How are custom wood doors different from big-box store doors?

Custom wood doors are built to your exact dimensions using solid hardwood and traditional joinery methods like mortise and tenon. Big-box store doors are typically hollow-core or use engineered materials. Custom doors offer superior sound insulation, durability, and a solid feel that mass-produced doors cannot match.

Can I order a custom door in a non-standard size?

Yes. Estate Millwork builds every door to your specified width and height. Whether you need a narrow pantry door, an oversized entry door, or a door to fit a historic opening with non-standard dimensions, we can accommodate your requirements.

What door styles does Estate Millwork offer?

We offer louvered, raised panel, flat panel, French, barn, arched, and mission style doors. Each style is available in multiple wood species and can be ordered painted or unfinished. Our online designer lets you configure every detail and see an instant price quote.

Design Considerations for Custom Wood Doors

Measure the rough opening, not the existing door, when ordering a replacement. Include the width, height, and wall thickness so the door and jamb fit correctly.
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, choose a harder wood species like White Oak or Maple that resists dents and wear better than softer species.
Louvered doors are an excellent choice for closets, laundry rooms, and utility spaces because the slats promote air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and musty odors.
When matching new doors to existing trim, bring a sample of your current wood or finish to compare. Estate Millwork offers the same species and can match stain colors for a cohesive look.