Why Oak Doors are So Popular: What You Need to Know

Published: March 23, 2021

There are plenty of choices these days when it comes to picking out interior doors for your home or business. One of the most popular type of doors for the home are oak wooden doors; but just what is it that makes oak doors so popular?

Durability

As with anything in your home, you want to ensure the doors you choose will stand the test of time. While manufactured doors hollow core doors can sometimes look very appealing due to the price, the low overall quality of these box store doors is not worth saving a couple dollars over. Oak wood doors have a solid frame, are durable, hard wearing and long lasting solid wooden doors. So while you may pay a little bit more than you would for the cheaper alternatives, but you will certainly get your investment back and then some.

Good Thermal Insulator

Doors, like flooring can play a big role in helping to keep heat in your home and act as a great insulator. Oak doors help to trap heat in rooms during the colder winter evenings, and allow your home to stay cooler during the warmer summer days. Oak is a dense material making it extremely energy efficient.

Complements Your Decor

The colors and attractive look of oak doors, make it works well with other decor and furniture choices in the home. From wooden floors to tables and chairs, oak wood doors can complement your home in so many different ways. Oak is an extremely popular type of wood for manufacturing different furniture and this allows oak doors to perfectly complement the other furniture you may have in your home regardless of its color.

Reduces External Noise

We've already gone over the insulating benefits that wooden oak doors provide, but they also have acoustic insulation that can really benefit your home. Solid oak doors create a great noise barrier when closed which makes oak doors a popular choice for homes that are located on busy streets or even near the road. This quality also makes oak doors a popular choice for many office buildings due to the acoustic nature of oak.

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.