Keys To
Choosing a door

There are several options when deciding which core should go in your door. 

Hollow Core: Typically used for low-end projects.

Particle Core:  Typical core for most doors on the market -gives the door a solid feel and helps reduce noise.

Structural Composite Lumber (SCL) Core:  A more stable, heavier core than particle core and allows for easier hardware reinforcements.

Mineral Core:  A fire resistant core that is used exclusively for higher fire ratings at 60 minutes and 90 minutes

When choosing a door there are two ways to build the door.

Bonded:  Bonded core construction means that the outer stiles and rails are glued to the core prior the door skins are applied.   Ideal for solid core doors.

Unbonded: Unbonded core construction means that the core sits loose within the stiles and rails and the 1/8” thick door skin holds the entire construction together.   Unbonded construction is ideal when doing hollow-core doors.

Solid Wood Edges:  Solid Wood Edges are exactly as it sounds.   The outer rim of the door uses solid MATCHING wood to match the wood face of the door.   For instance, if you have selected a Walnut Wood door, the outer wood stiles will be Walnut as well.

Taped (or edgebanded) Edges:  Some manufacturers use a cheaper wood stile and cover it with a thin tape.   If the edge of the door gets dinged or impacted, the ultra thin tape can get damaged and can expose the different wood species hiding beneath.   

Veneer grade for doors should always be a minimum of A grade.  

The US is blessed to have deep experience in wood door manufacturing. This generational experience often gives architects, designers, and specifiers additional comfort in a product.    You can easily find many manufacturers with over 50 years of experience and that offer a lifetime warranty on their doors.     Vancouver Doors is proud to be one of these elite brands with over 80 years of door manufacturing under our belt.