Which interior door is right for my home — wood, fire-rated, frosted-glass, or hollow-core?
Short answer: It depends on the room and your priorities.
Solid/engineered wood doors deliver durability and sound control; fire-rated doors provide safety where code or separation is needed; frosted-glass doors bring light + privacy; and hollow-core doors offer a budget-friendly option for low-traffic spaces.
About First Pro Home Reno Supplies
First Pro Home Reno Supplies is a GTA showroom + online store serving homeowners and contractors (showroom: 2050 Dundas St. E., Mississauga). They carry doors, trim, flooring, and other renovation supplies — and offer pickup, delivery, and expert advice.
Below we'll walk through each type, what makes it a good fit, and when you might want to choose something else.
Overview: Four common types of interior doors
| Door Type | Typical Use / Strengths | Trade-offs / When Not Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow-core | Closets, pantry, low-use rooms, rental units, budget-conscious builds | Low sound insulation, less durable, not suited for fire/security or heavy use |
| Solid / Engineered Wood (or Solid-core) | Bedrooms, living spaces, home offices — where durability & sound control matter | Heavier (harder install), more expensive |
| Fire-rated (wood / composite) | Between suites, mechanical rooms, anywhere code/safety requires fire separation | Higher cost, must be installed properly with rated frame/hardware to be effective |
| Frosted-glass (paneled) | Bathrooms, home offices, pantries — when you want privacy + natural light | More careful installation, may compromise sound/privacy vs solid doors (depends on glass & seals) |
What to know about hollow-core interior doors
✅ Pros of hollow-core doors
Budget-friendly & cost-effective — Because the core is lightweight (often cardboard honeycomb), hollow-core doors are significantly cheaper than solid-core or solid-wood.
Lightweight and easy to install — Their light construction makes them easier to handle, transport, and hang. Great for quick renovations, closets, pantries, guest rooms, or rental properties.
Wide availability and variety — They're commonly found in many styles and finishes, which helps match interior décor affordably.
⚠️ Cons / Limitations of hollow-core doors
Poor sound insulation / privacy — Because of their hollow interior, sound transmits easily between rooms, making them a poor choice for bedrooms, home offices, or bathrooms where privacy and quiet matter.
Less durable / more prone to damage — Hollow-core doors can dent, crack, or puncture more easily than solid-core or solid-wood doors, especially in high-traffic areas or around pets/kids.
Minimal thermal or sound insulation — They provide little resistance to heat/cold transfer or sound — less ideal in climates with temperature extremes or when energy efficiency matters.
Poor fire resistance & security — Standard hollow-core doors typically don't meet fire-rating requirements and offer minimal security compared to solid doors.
👍 When hollow-core makes sense
Hollow-core doors are excellent for: closets, pantries, laundry rooms, storage areas, guest rooms, or other low-traffic and low-privacy spaces. They're ideal when you want to keep renovation costs low or need quick, easy installation without heavy lifting.
They are not recommended for bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, or any space where sound control, privacy, durability, or fire/security concerns matter.
How hollow-core fits into the bigger door-selection picture
When you, or a customer, consider interior doors, it's useful to think in tiers:
Tier 1 (budget, basic use): Hollow-core — for closets, storage, and secondary spaces.
Tier 2 (balanced value): Solid / engineered-wood or solid-core — for main living spaces, bedrooms, high-use rooms.
Tier 3 (specialized needs): Fire-rated doors — where code, safety or separation is required; Frosted-glass doors — when light + privacy matters.
That way, you're not overpaying for a heavy door where a simple hollow door works — and you don't under-spec a door where performance matters.
At First Pro Home Reno Supplies, you can stock or order all of these door types — giving your customers flexibility depending on their priorities and budget.
Sources
Hollow-Core vs. Solid-Core & Wood Doors
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MD Building Products Canada – “Hollow Core vs. Solid Core Interior Doors: What’s the Difference?”
https://md-canada.com/blog/49-hollow-core-vs-solid-core-interior-doors-whats-the-difference -
MD Building Products Canada – “Materials Used in Interior Doors: Differences and Features”
https://md-canada.com/blog/39-materials-used-in-interior-doors-differences-and-features -
JELD-WEN Canada – “A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Interior Doors”
https://www.jeld-wen.ca/en-CA/blogs/A-Comprehensive-Guide-to-Buying-Interior-Doors-How-To-Make-The-Right-Choices-for-Your-Home -
DoorCart – “Difference Between Solid and Hollow Core Doors”
https://doorcart.ca/difference-between-solid-and-hollow-core-doors -
Oppein Group Canada – “Why Solid Wood Doors Outperform Hollow-Core and MDF Doors”
https://www.oppeingroup.ca/comparing-door-materials-why-solid-wood-interior-doors-outperform-hollow-core-and-mdf-interior-doors -
APA Closet Doors – “Hollow vs Solid Core Doors: Pros & Cons”
https://apaclosetdoors.com/hollow-vs-solid-core-doors -
Flooring Clarity – “Solid Core vs Hollow Core Doors: Pros, Cons & Best Uses”
https://www.flooringclarity.com/solid-core-vs-hollow-core-doors -
Madison Door – “Solid vs Hollow Core Interior Doors: Which Is Best?”
https://madisondoor.com/2025/06/20/solid-vs-hollow-core-interior-doors
Fire-Rated Doors
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DoorSmith – Interior Fire-Rated Door Systems
https://doorsmith.ca/interior-fire-rated-doors -
Madero Doors – Interior Door Brochure (Fire-Rated Included)
https://www.madero.ca/content/discover-files/file/InteriorBrochure.pdf
General Interior Door Buying Guides
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RONA – “How to Choose the Right Interior Doors”
https://www.rona.ca/en/workshop/guides/choosing-interior-doors