Right or left, rebated or flush
or rebate-free? we help you choose a door for your home

The right interior door is not only a question of aesthetics, but also of convenience. The direction of door opening and a well-shaped handle determine the daily ergonomics. So what should you consider when choosing a door for your home? What are the differences between the various models? Let's find out!

The surface area of each room is limited. When arranging an interior, we try to choose furniture well-matched to its dimensions and specifics. It is worth doing the same with doors. Both the direction of opening and the width of the door leaf influence the amount of additional space to be used. This article explains, among other things, how to tell the difference between a right-hand and a left-hand door and what it means if a door is rebate or rebate-free.

Which door for your flat? The right one!

Internal doors are a piece of furniture that stays with us for years. We replace them very rarely, so it is worth choosing a model that meets all our needs from the outset. Where should we start our search? Contrary to appearances. A door carefully matched to the flooring and mouldings will complete the décor and announce what you will find in the interior.

The safest solution is to choose flooring and door frames in a similar colour or tone, especially if you decide on a door leaf in wooden veneer. Fans of timeless solutions can opt for white doors, which create an interesting duet with both dark and light floors. A classic white skirting board matching the door colour will complete the interior.

Modern interiors like strong accents. This can be based on dark or anthracite-coloured doors and walls. To prevent the room from looking gloomy, brighten it up with furniture and floor panels. A contrasting door frame is also an interesting detail.

If we prefer unique and personalised interiors, we can opt for Rimo or Modus doors. Due to the unusual colour of the leaf edges, they will introduce a small accent, which will become a decoration in the room. It is a good idea to match them with other elements of the furnishings to create a perfect combination.

The way the leaf is finished can also be an idea for emphasising the character of the interior. The milled models from the Fina collection are an interesting alternative to classic plain doors. Thanks to their minimalist grooves, they look extremely elegant. Their precise finish is also worth mentioning. The leaf painted with durable paint is resistant to damage and looks good in combination with various handles.

rebated vs. non-rebated doors - what's the difference?

When considering which door to choose for your home, you can opt for one of two types of leaf. The most common ones, rebated, have a so-called rebate, i.e. a cut-out in the side edge of the leaf, which causes the leaf to overlap the frame. This fact ensures good soundproofing of the room. This type of door also has visible hinges and when the leaf is open, the locking tongue can be seen on the edge of the leaf. rebated doors create successful combinations with classic arrangements, giving them a touch of lightness.

And what does it mean for a door to be rebate-free? This type of model is equipped with concealed hinges, so that the leaf is flush with the surface of the frame. The wing's edge is "blunt" and additionally equipped with a magnetic lock, which ensures quiet closing. Such a solution can be found in the Supri or Silgo collections. The smooth and uniform surface of the door makes it only a background, and the character of the interior can be emphasised by accessories.

Right or left-hand door - which is the right one for a flat?

Another decision we have to make when choosing the right door for our flat is the direction of opening. Right or left-handed doors - which is better? The answer depends on the functional layout of the hallway and the interior in question. A particular direction of opening can cause a door leaf to take up valuable bedroom space or block access to a wardrobe in the hallway.

How do you check whether a door is right or left? Simply stand in front of them in such a way that you can open them by pulling them towards you. In this position, note on which side the hinges are located. In the case of a right-hand door, they are located on the right side. Similarly, for left-hand doors, the hinges are located on the left side.

Sliding doors are an alternative to hinged right or left-hand doors, which are also suitable for small rooms. A concealed construction in the wall is one solution for the sliding system. The pocket created by the plasterboard is where the door leaf is retracted and pulled out, giving the interior a spacious feel. Sliding doors in a cassette or in the form of a rail on the wall (the so-called wall-mounted sliding system) are also a clever way of separating two areas in a single room, e.g. the sleeping area, where the bed is located, and the lounge area, where we can fit a comfortable sofa and a table with chairs.

What is important to know about door width?

In addition to the direction of the door opening, the width of the door is important. When taking delivery of the flat from the developer, we will find prepared openings for the installation of individual doors, usually 80 cm wide. If we want to enlarge them or move them, we have to prepare for an additional stage of renovation. In many cases, however, it is worth it, because comfortable communication in the flat means everyday comfort. Let's also prepare the walls properly so that the eaves have the right width. This will avoid cutting the girts from the door frame, which can be aesthetically pleasing.

Before ordering a door of a specific width, let's pay attention to the mounting hole required by the manufacturer and the selection of an appropriate frame so that it matches the leaf we have chosen. The most popular solution is an adjustable frame, which can be used with different wall thicknesses. In addition, it will be useful when we have uneven walls, because it is thanks to the adjusting bands that we are able to compensate for this. On the other hand, if the walls are too thick, a fixed door frame with masking strips is an economical alternative.

Doors to the flat - opening outwards or inwards?

Also important from the perspective of our convenience is the way the door leaves open. Once the door is open, you should be able to enter and leave the room freely and also have good access to light switches. To make everyday life easier, it is advisable to plan your layout so that the light switches are close to the handle.

The exception to the rule is the bathroom door. These must open outwards for safety reasons. It is important that there are no fittings in the clear opening angle of the door leaf that could restrict the opening angle of the leaf, thus obstructing the passage. How do you combine functionality with security? Smart doors with special bins and organisers that provide additional storage space will work well.

We also remember that bathroom doors are responsible for the drainage of moisture from the room. They should therefore be fitted with an undercut, grille or ventilation sleeves.

White room doors - best for small flats

In order to make the arrangement of a flat seem coherent, it is worth using several of the same or similar door models. White doors are the most versatile and are especially suitable for small apartments. Bright colours optically lighten the interior without causing an overwhelming effect. In order to diversify the décor, it is enough to choose doors from the Noma collection decorated with delicate lines or geometric milling.

A small room will also appear larger when fitted with a glass door. The Inovo leaf is equipped with horizontal lines through which you can see the light lit inside. Thanks to the aesthetic curve, dust does not settle on them. It is a good choice for a children's room or home office - a gentle glow will indicate that work is not yet finished.

Don't forget the front door

When choosing a door for a flat, let's also keep in mind the main leaf that welcomes and bids farewell to the household. The VOX offer includes entrance doors from the best manufacturers on the market. A well-chosen model will help ensure security. Burglar-proof doors will ensure protection against unauthorised entry into your home, while fire doors will delay the spread of fire, making it significantly easier to extinguish a fire.

There are also doors that guarantee high sound insulation, so that we can feel completely comfortable in our own flat. A soundproof model will ensure that noises from the corridor reach us, and that conversations among household members stay within our own company.

When choosing a front door, don't forget about aesthetics either. One part of the door leaf will be visible in the hallway, so make sure that its appearance is consistent with the rest of the furnishings, including the interior doors, flooring and mouldings. If it is the building manager who has imposed a specific appearance on us, we can order a two-coloured version of the sash - on the side of the staircase we will adapt it to the requirements, and on the inside we will match it to our interior. It can also be a good idea to personalise the doors with accessories such as a hanger or a rim.