Glazed internal doors are a perfect way to transfer light from one room to the next. Replacing an existing door with a glazed type is an excellent way to upgrade the appearance of you home internally. Traditionally wooden especially hardwood doors are used in the home. There is a wide variety of wooden framed doors with glazed panels for you to choose from. The doors can be glazed in one panel or split up into several panels. Half glazed internal doors incorporate the top half glass and the bottom solid timber to form part glazed internal doors.
Some fine examples of internal glazed doors – the number of styles is endless
Timber species of glazed doors include
- Oak glazed internal doors – Very Popular
- Ash doors
- Walnut doors
- Cherry doors
- Beech doors
- Hardwood door such as mahogany
- Softwood doors such as pine
- White faced doors
Safety Glass is Important
Fully glazed internal doors or part glazed will require safety glass to be fitted.
There are two types of safety glass. The first is toughened (or tempered) which is stronger than standard glass. The second is laminated glass which consists of two panes with a layer of plastic between. Both are resistant to impact but they may still break. If broken, the toughened glass will shatter to small prices whilst the integrity of the laminated glass will be held by the plastic layer. Both types will reduce the risk of injury. The installation of safety glass is a building code requirement.
Replacing Internal Doors
Doors are available in a variety of sizes and unless your doors are purpose made to a non standard size there will be doors that will suit your circumstances.
The following table indicates the standard door sizes in imperial and metric dimensions:
|
Door Size (mm) |
Door Size (Inches) |
| Imperial Sizes for Internal Doors | |
|
457 x 1981 |
18 x 78 |
|
533 x 1981 |
21 x 78 |
|
610 x 1981 |
24 x 78 |
|
686 x 1981 |
27 x 78 |
|
762 x 1981 |
30 x 78 |
|
838 x 1981 |
33 x 78 |
| Metric Sizes for Internal Doors | |
|
526 x 2040 |
2011/16 x 80¼ |
|
626 x 2040 |
24½ x 80¼ |
|
726 x 2040 |
28½ x 80¼ |
|
826 x 2040 |
32½ x 80¼ |
|
926 x 2040 |
367/16 x 80¼ |
Some Tips When Measuring the Existing Door Opening
With a tape measure the width of the opening between the door frame at the top, middle and bottom. Now check the height from floor to underside of the frame on the left and right side of the opening.
Check the door for squareness – over the years buildings have a tendency to move and settle. You may find that your door opening may be slightly off square.
When you have determined the dimensions of the door deduct about 6 mm (¼”) from the width and height for fitting tolerances. You will probably find that the final dimensions of the opening are slightly larger than the nearest standard door size in the above table. If this is the case most doors come with an allowance on the edges of up to 12 mm (½”) or so for planing off when fitting.
Tips on Fitting the Door
Internal glass doors are slightly heavier due to the safety glass so it is important to use three 100 mm (4”) hinges preferable ball bearing stainless steel hinges.
If you have to reduce (or plane down) the door width for fitting, do so from both sides to a maximum of say 6 – 7 mm (¼”). Over planing of the door on one side may expose the door core and also the frame width of the door will not be even when fitted.
Do not fit the mortice lock at a mid rail position as the joints will be weaken.
Bed the glass panels in a sealant compound so they do not rattle or move.
If the door is prefinished touch up the door edges in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the door is unfinished seal and finish the door in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If any of your doors are designated as internal fire doors, glazed panels within these doors are possible but there are limitations on the overall dimensions of same.
The Budget
Doors are offered at all sorts of price levels. If you budget is low then read further about what we recommend for cheap interior doors or white interior doors.