Did you know that the inventor of the door is unknown? The first evidence of doors was discovered in Egypt and dates back to over 4000 years ago! From that point forward, they have played a pivotal role in the lives of almost all humans.
It is easy to take for granted the security and safety, as well as the protection from the elements that your exterior door provides for you and your family because they are so commonplace.
You may be asking yourself, “What if I want to change my exterior door? What are my options? Can I replace my exterior door with one of my interior doors?”
Perhaps you have a beautiful door inside your home that you would like to display to the world or maybe you want to save a bit of money and use an interior door on the exterior. Is this a good idea?
What Makes an Exterior Door Different from an Interior Door?
The answer to the question, “Can I replace an exterior door with an interior door?” is easy. Of course, you can… but is that a wise choice? Is there a reason that interior and exterior doors are different? What do exterior doors provide that interior doors do not? These are the questions you will want to answer before deciding to swap your exterior doors for interior ones.
What makes exterior doors different from interior doors?
Durability
According to Maria from Doors Galore “exterior doors are built to withstand the exterior elements.” This includes the heat, the snow, the humidity, the rain, and in the UK, more rain.
These conditions are extremely tough on all materials and exterior doors are built with particular types of materials and finishes that are made to hold up to the outdoors.
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Security
Your exterior doors are the most likely point of entry for any criminals trying to get into your home. That is why they are designed to act as a security feature as well as an entryway.
Deadbolts, locksets, heavy-duty materials, and strong hinges are all features on exterior doors that you won’t find on interior doors.
Insulation
It is a marvel that even with cold and damp weather and a door that opens often, you can keep the majority of the weather outside. This is done through well-insulated doors that have solid cores or are built of materials that have high thermal retention.
Interior doors typically have hollow cores or are made of less robust materials that don’t insulate as well. Exterior doors are also outfitted with weather stripping to keep the wind and moisture outside.
Is Installing an Interior Door on the Exterior a Good Idea?
Interior doors can be beautiful and they are extremely functional but they are meant to be installed inside and are not built to withstand the elements. Your typical interior door is light, has smaller, less robust hinges, and wouldn’t provide the safety and security of an exterior door.
Its life span will also be drastically reduced, likely beginning to come apart within months. The demands placed on an exterior door are quite extreme and if you replace it with an interior door that is not built for that purpose, the door and the residents will suffer.
Interior Doors to be Installed Outside?
Is it possible to exchange an exterior door for an interior door? Yes, it is possible. Is it advisable? No. Exterior doors are purpose-built with specific detail going into the construction and finish of each one so that it can provide the security, safety, durability, and insulating power needed.
Do you need to replace your exterior door? Choose an exterior door as a replacement and keep the interior doors inside your home and let them do their job where they belong: inside.
