I'm currently renovating my home and we're at the stage where we need to pick out interior doors. The plan is to use solid core doors for all the bedrooms and bathrooms, but we'd like to cut costs by opting for hollow core doors in the pantry and closets. I'm concerned about whether the difference in feel and sound will be noticeable when opening and closing the doors. For those who have used both types, have you found it feels inconsistent or cheap? Do you think it would be worth it to splurge on solid core for everything?
4 Answers
Honestly, I mixed them and I barely noticed after a week. Save your cash where it makes sense for less-used areas, like closets, but feel free to go solid with the doors to the main living areas. It's just a little more peace of mind!
In my house, I went with all hollow doors except for the rooms, and I used solid core in the basement to reduce noise. The difference is noticeable mostly in the weight; solid doors do require a little more effort to close. But overall, it’s not a huge deal. I would lean toward solid doors for the main areas and stick with hollow for closets where it won't matter as much.
I think the hollow core for pantry doors will wear out pretty quickly, and it doesn’t feel great when you use them a lot. Spending a bit more on solid core there would probably pay off. But if you need to save, I wouldn’t worry too much after a few days; it’ll feel normal either way.
You’ll definitely notice that solid core doors are heavier, but honestly, it’s worth spending extra for the doors to the bedrooms and bathrooms. I think it’s fine to go with hollow core for closets and pantry doors since they don't need the same sound insulation or sturdiness. Saving money there is totally reasonable!