A flush door is one with a plain, flat surface. They are unlike paneled doors which have panels within an outer frame. Despite their simple style, flush doors can have a beautiful design. Some have decorative embellishments and intricate wood veneer that gives the doors more depth.

Flush doors are used in both commercial and residential design. For the construction of flush doors, fabricators sandwich two pieces of flat material over an internal frame. These outer pieces are constructed of plywood, MDF, or wood veneer.

Pros:

Cost – The construction of flush doors is inexpensive as are the materials. Therefore, the cost of flush doors is less expensive than similar paneled doors.Insulation – Solid core flush doors provide great sound and weather insulation.Installation – Flush doors have a simple design which makes them easy to install.Design – The simple design of flush doors allows wood veneer to stand out. These make great doors for modern and contemporary homes.Maintenance – Flush doors have flat faces, so they are easier to clean than the nook and crannies on paneled doors.

Cons:

Alterations – The simple construction of a flush door means that it is difficult to alter once complete.Repair – The veneer face of flush doors is difficult to repair if it begins to peel.Distinct Style – The style of a flush door does not work well for traditional or classic home styles.

Internal Components of Flush Doors

Manufacturers create flush doors in three types: solid core, hollow core, or cellular core.

Solid Core Flush Door – As the name suggests, solid core doors use hard timber for the frame construction and edges. They use a combination of particle board, MDF, wood veneer, block board, and laminated core are also present. These doors are heavy and stable. Homeowners use them if they need extra sound or weather insulation. Most solid-core flush doors are exterior doors.Hollow Core Flush Door – Hollow core doors have a hollow core that is filled with a honeycomb layer to provide structure for the door. This door has stiles and rails along the top and side of the door. Between the stiles and rails there are wood battens that fill the spaces in between. Homeowners use these lightweight doors as interior doors.Cellular Core Flush Door – Cellular doors have a frame with plywood and wooden battens. The space inside the frame is a series of strips of wood and plywood placed at equal distances. The empty space of a cellular core flush door does not exceed 40% of the middle space. These are sandwiched between plywood faces.

Flush Door Hardware

Most flush doors are used in minimalist design styles. Therefore, bulky hinges and other hardware are not ideal. Most flush door hinges are concealed hinges that do not show when they are closed. Hardware like pulls and knobs have sleek and minimal design. Some flush door pulls are created from cutouts in the face of the door to minimize their impact further.

In other modern and contemporary designs, architects create concealed doors within door paneling. They use flush doors of the same material as the wall. Adjustable hidden hinges are useful in this context. This way, the homeowner can adjust the door on the hinges to create the closest fit.

Flush Door Designs

Flush doors make gorgeous interior, exterior, cabinet, and closet doors. We have gathered some designs to inspire you with their possibilities.

Wooden Flush Door

semple brown design

Here is a gorgeous wooden flush door in this industrial-style loft. The designer, simple brown design, used a flush wooden panel door that blends with the dark wood paneling behind the bed. The design allows the door to disappear into the background to keep the focus on the warm wood texture.

Flush Panel Door

Don Tankersley & Co.

This midcentury bedroom design features a flush panel door design. The wood panel features long vertical slats, so that the wood flush door disappears into the wall. Again, this is an ideal way to minimize the look of the door and maximize the simplicity of the overall room design.

Flush Cabinet Doors

Architecture in Formation

Flush cabinet doors look stunning in a modern or contemporary kitchen. This kitchen, designed by Architecture in Formation, features medium-toned flush wood facings with invisible flush door cabinet hinges and few cabinet pulls.

Flush Entry Door

BK Interior Design

Flush entry doors are a common feature of modern and contemporary exterior home design. This door blends with the medium toned horizontal slats. The flush door pull has a simple design that blends form with function.

Flush Sliding Door

Laidlaw Schultz architects

Flush doors work well using different closures including slides and hinges. Flush sliding doors work well in small rooms where floor space is a premium. Pocket flush doors recess into the wall so that they do not take up excess space when they are open. Laidlaw Schultz Architects use this pocket flush door to further simplify the design of this bedroom.

Flush Panel Garage Door

Turn Design

A flush garage door has a more streamlined look than a paneled garage door. These fit much better on midcentury homes. Turn Design created this midcentury style garage. They used a flat panel similar to the vertical paneled siding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What is the best material for a flush door exterior?

Due to their need to be solid and substantial, exterior flush doors are solid core doors. There are steel, fiberglass, wood, and aluminum flush exterior doors. Many flush doors are not designed for exterior use because of the thin materials used in their construction.

Which is better, a flush door vs panel door?

Both doors have benefits and drawbacks. Paneled doors are more popular and feature many varieties and material types. Paneled doors are also more decorative and work with a wider variety of home styles. Flush doors are more cost-effective than paneled doors. Also, they work well if you want to create a home with a minimalist modern or contemporary aesthetic.

How much do interior flush doors cost compared to interior panel doors?

A standard interior flush door costs anywhere from $30-$200. A panel door costs between $35-$500. These doors both have a wide range depending on the materials used in their construction.

What are the main differences between a flush interior door and a flush exterior door?

The main difference between these doors are the materials that manufacturers use in their construction. Exterior flush doors use quality wood veneers or fiberglass or metal on their face. They also feature solid core interiors. Interior flush doors use materials like plywood and MDF on their face. Most of them are hollow core or cellular core because they are lightweight and less expensive.