A flush door comprises a single piece with a wood veneer, MDF or laminate outer layer, attached with an adhesive. Compared with stile and rail, or panel doors, flush wood doors offer fewer options for customization. However, their simpler construction doesn’t mean they can’t be attractive and on-brand. In fact, flush wood doors offer certain advantages over panel doors. For some projects, they even make the perfect choice.
4 Myths About Flush Wood Doors
First, let’s bust some of the myths out there about flush wood doors that make them sound less than desirable but couldn’t be further from the truth.
1. Flush wood doors aren’t strong enough for my project
Actually, the strength of a wood door depends on the species, wood quality, and construction. Hollow doors may provide less strength, but solid ones meet most needs for durability and strength. Opting for artificial coverings can even reduce the risk of termite damage.
2. Flush wood doors don’t offer sufficient performance features
Flush wood doors, particularly solid ones, offer a wide range of options when it comes to performance. Solid flush doors can actually provide greater fire resistance and less sound transfer than panel doors. The core makes all the difference.
3. Flush wood doors will look “cheap”
While they typically cost less than panel doors, flush wood doors can look great. With the right veneer species, cut, color and stain, a flush wood door can blend seamlessly with the overall look of your project. The flat surface makes for easier cleaning and resistance to stains, which help them look newer longer.
4. Flush wood doors are generic and boring
It’s true that flush doors offer fewer configurations than panel doors, since you’re dealing with one, flat piece. However, flush wood doors run the gamut, depending on manufacturer, from plain to stylish. Veneers of different species, cuts, stains and finishes offer a lot of choice. They can also be built to fit many standard and custom hardware applications.
Project Types Where Flush Wood Doors Make a Great Fit
Because of their relatively simple construction, flush wood doors are an affordable option for many kinds of projects. These are some of the places you may wish to specify them.
School Design Projects
Schools typically need a large number of doors and must work within tightly defined budgets. High-minded design is probably not their priority, though they want the environment to look clean and uniform. Flush wood doors can help you to meet all code requirements without breaking the bank. For a more elegant touch in certain locations, like an executive office or conference room, consider a few stile and rail doors.
Large or Budget-Conscious Hotel Design Projects
While a high-end boutique hotel may go all out with panel doors throughout, a larger property or one with a smaller design budget may reject that idea. As with schools, you can specify a large quantity of flush wood doors at a lower overall cost and still specify many features you want. Having the versatility of flush wood doors designs also allows hotels create interior designs that fit their brand and satisfy guests’ expectations.
Office Projects with Multiple Needs
An office project can include a wide range of different door types and designs, all in one space. You might indulge in luxury panel doors for conference rooms or executive offices. Meanwhile, fill out the rest of your project with flush wood doors in veneers and finishes that match or complement the panel doors.
Design Options for Commercial Flush Wood Doors
Numerous options allow you to affordably tailor flush wood doors to the style and creative vision for your project.
Masonite Architectural’s flush wood doors can be specified in most commercially available species. They all meet WDMA I.S. 1-A custom grade. In addition, they all feature:
- Face veneers at a minimum 1/50″ thickness
- Face veneer meeting WDMA A grade
- Type 1 adhesives: face to core
- Optional formaldehyde-free adhesives
- Engineering to meet or exceed industry performance requirements
Masonite Aspiro and Cendura Flush Wood Doors
There are a few differences between Masonite’s two lines of custom flush wood doors (fomerly sold under the name Graham and Maiman). Find the best one your next commercial project.
Aspiro Wood Doors
- A great choice for architectural projects
- High aesthetic and performance qualities
- Available with select wood veneers, premium painted or decorative laminates
- Lifetime warranty
Cendura Wood Doors
- Ideal for commercial projects
- Value and performance
- Available in standard wood veneer, standard painted or everyday laminates
- Limited lifetime warranty
Wood Core Types in Flush Wood Doors
The core of a wood door determines its performance and durability. Masonite Architectural offers four core types for flush wood doors:
- Particle
- Engineered composite
- Agrifiber
- Mineral (for fire-rated doors)
- Acoustic performance
- Lead core
Doors can be specified with a 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute fire-rating.
Factory Finishing for Flush Wood Doors
Masonite Architectural employs a technologically advanced process to integrate stain and topcoat materials. The multi-step automated process results in virtually no waste and low energy demands.
Masonite paints or stains your doors in the factory for a consistent, high-quality result, saving time in the field. Select any pantone color for paint, or choose from among 12 stain colors. Order samples of factory-finished stained doors to start finding the right colors or finishes for your project.