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Types of Door
There are many different types of door from the huge arches that adorn the front of churches to the high-tech sliding ones you now find in modern offices. Each one is designed for a specific purpose and choosing the right solution for your home or office can make all the difference. On top of that, there are numerous variations upon each theme or design which means if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, there is plenty to choose from.
- Single Leaf Door: Most doors you see in the home are of this variety and it basically means a single panel that opens in or out depending on the casing. They can be constructed from a variety of materials including uPVC, wood and steel.
- Double Leaf Door: This has two door panels that open either way and are common in bigger homes or for entrances to places like a conservatory. French doors are a type of double leaf door.
- Composite Door: One of the most popular types for home interiors, it is a single leaf door which is often filled with insulating foam.
- Stable or Dutch Door: Many homeowners with animals choose to have this fitted to the back of the property. It opens as a whole door or just the top half. That way you can stop the dog going out (or from coming in) and is great for providing ventilation during the summer.
- Saloon or Café Door: You might think they are just for Western bars, but café doors are quite popular particularly in restaurants.
- Disguised Door: Also known as a blind door this has no fittings such as a door knob and is designed to match the surrounding wall or décor.
- French Doors: This is usually a double leaf door which has glass panels rather than wood so you can see out. It is used to connect places like the dining room to the kitchen or open out onto the garden.
- Louvered Door: Often associated with the 40s and 50s, a louvered door has slats in the upper panel or along its length for ventilation. It is most commonly seen in wardrobes and bathrooms nowadays.
Doors can also be defined by the type of mechanism they use for opening such as hinge, sliding or rotating:
- Hinged Doors: This accounts for most varieties that we have in the home. One side of the door is attached to the main frame by two hinges, allowing it to swing in or out, or both. Mostly the hinges are on the vertical axis but for places like the garage it can be on a horizontal axis. A swing door is a variation of this type and usually has a spring that allows it to shut once opened and let go.
- Sliding Doors: In this case the door slides along tracks to open rather than working on a hinge. They are common for areas such as accessing the back garden or for entrances to commercial buildings.
- Rotating or Revolving Doors: These move on a central access and are generally found in commercial premises. Variations are automatic doors that move once someone steps into a segment of the installation.
- Automatic Doors: These open after triggering a sensor or switch and are operated using an electric motor. They are primarily found in commercial premises and are usually also fitted with a safety sensor.
There are also a number of specialist doors such as overhead doors, tambour doors and the much newer evolution door which operates like a sliding door but does not have a track. Doors may also be built for a specific purpose. A fire door for instance might be installed anywhere you need to protect from danger – particularly in offices. If you have a loft installation put in, you will probably need to have a fire door installed at the lower level if there is no direct route out of the new room.
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