The Advantages of Different Internal Door Materials

Choosing the Right Internal Doors 

Internal doors are more than just functional, they complete the design and feel of any interior space. Whether you’re a professional builder or a DIY renovator, choosing the right internal door materials can make all the difference in durability, cost, and style. Here’s a breakdown of the most common internal door types and their key benefits. 

Primed Internal Doors

Primed internal doors come pre-coated with an undercoat, ready for painting. They’re typically made from MDF or other engineered materials and are ideal for smooth finishes. 

Advantages: 

• Saves time on site and during the painting process 

• Cost-effective option 

• Offers a clean, uniform surface 
• Compatible with a wide range of paints and finishes. 

Solid Core Internal Doors

Solid core doors feature a dense particleboard or engineered timber solid core. These internal doors offer enhanced soundproofing and strength. 

Advantages: 

• Excellent acoustic performance 

• Heavy, solid feel for added privacy 

• Ideal for bedrooms, theatre rooms, and high-traffic areas. 

Hollow Core Internal Doors

Hollow core internal doors have a lightweight honeycomb or tubular structure between two skins. They’re budget-friendly and easy to install. 

Advantages: 

• Lightweight, making them ideal for DIY installation 

• Affordable option for volume builds or renovations 

• Easy to handle, transport and fit. 

Duracote Doors

Duracote doors are pre-finished with a smooth, hardwearing surface that resists scratches, dents, and stains. They are often used in high-traffic areas such as access doors from garage to the home.   

Advantages: 

• Low maintenance and long-lasting finish 

• Ideal for commercial or high-traffic residential applications 

• Ready for a paint finish if required. 

 Timber Veneer Internal Doors

Timber veneer doors feature a thin slice of real timber bonded to a core material. Common veneers include SPM (Sliced Pacific Maple), AWO (Australian White Oak), and Ply. 

Advantages: 

• Premium timber look without the cost of solid timber 

• Versatile design—can be stained or clear-coated 

• SPM offers a warm, light to medium brown colour  

• AWO provides a clean, contemporary timber look 

• Ply provides a durable, textured appearance. 

 Glazed Internal Doors

Glazed internal doors incorporate glass panels, ranging from one-lite doors (a full panel of glass) to French doors with multiple glass panels. These create an open feel to the room and a support a Hamptons, classic or country style home. 

Advantages: 

• Allows natural light to flow between rooms 

• Creates an open, airy feeling in enclosed spaces 

• Frosted or textured glass options offer privacy with light. 

6mm Primed Internal Doors (Thicker MDF)

Thicker 6mm MDF primed doors offer extra durability while maintaining the benefits of standard primed doors. 

Advantages: 

• Increased strength and impact resistance 

• Smoother finish with better edge definition 

• Great for high-use areas like hallways and living zones. 

Choosing the Right Internal Door for Your Project 

We offer a wide range of internal doors including barn doors, bifold doors, flush doors, French doors, panel doors and wardrobe doors. From lightweight hollow core to timber veneer, there’s an internal door material to suit every budget and build type.  

With 8,000+ doors to choose from and over 2,500 door hardware options, Bowens has doors readily available in-store or to be delivered to your jobsite, same-day. 

Did you know we stock a range of wider doors and door frames to meet the new NCC requirement? For more information, read our blog, ‘Doors, Frames & Jambs: Meet NCC Livability Housing Provisions.’