Hollow core vs. solid core doors

 

Hollow core doors are cheaper, but may also involve some sacrifices.

Whether you choose a hollow core or solid core timber door can affect your long term satisfaction with the door, as there are significant differences between both which must be accounted for. Here are some key factors to compare:

Heat insulation

• Hollow core – The construction of these doors does retain some warmth, but the air pockets inside will allow more heat to pass through.
• Solid core – As a solid piece of material, this type of door is better at insulating against heat loss.

Sound insulation

• Hollow core – The honeycomb design inside the door disrupts sound waves and breaks them up, muffling sound reasonably well.
• Solid core – Though it would seem the interior design of a hollow core should provide better sound insulation, a thicker, denser solid door will muffle sound more effectively.

Security

• Hollow core – These doors are very easy to break down and will give way quickly with a few well-placed kicks.
• Solid core – A solid door can withstand much more punishment than a hollow one and these doors can hold up under a sustained beat down for quite some time, frustrating the efforts of would-be attackers.

Cost

• Hollow core – These doors are significantly less expensive than solid core doors.
• Solid core – The pricier option, but often worth the extra expense in the long run, particularly for exterior doors.

Longevity and weight

• Hollow core – These doors weigh significantly less than their solid counterparts making them suitable for interior doors but ruling most of them out for exterior facing doors. They are vulnerable to excessive humidity and are easier to damage, meaning they may need to be replaced more frequently. Hollow core doors can be used as exterior doors, sometimes with a hybrid that incorporates more solid members than a typical interior door might use.
• Solid core – These doors are much heavier, and do not suffer from the same weaknesses as hollow core doors making them useful particularly well suited to exterior use. They are heavier and can withstand extreme weather conditions, though they are prone to expansion and contraction which can cause cracking and warping, so regular maintenance may be required to keep these doors in top condition.