Solid vs. Engineered External Bi-Fold Doors: What’s the Difference?

One of the most common questions we get asked here at Aspire Doors is “what is the difference between solid doors and an engineered external bi-fold doors?” The answer to this is much simpler than you might first think. Read on to find out more!

How are Solid Doors Made?

Solid external doors will always have a certain desirability about them due to their premium image. Their solid, hardwood construction has an undeniable attraction for many home owners and tradesmen.

A solid door is constructed using either one piece of solid wood, or in some instances, several pieces might be used but those pieces will again be solid parts that span the complete width of the door.

Due to the fact that they’re made with whole pieces of wood, solid doors are heavier and more substantial than engineered doors. This is a positive for many home owners as you get a heightened feeling of quality from a solid door. This coupled with the styling, finish and traditional nature of solid doors means that they are still very popular today.

However, all these benefits do come at a cost. Due to their robust construction and solid nature, solid doors demand a higher price than engineered or veneered doors.

What are Engineered Doors?

Sometimes referred to as ‘veneered doors’, engineered doors are the result of a more modern approach to structural design, with numerous layers of timber pressed and glued together in different directions to form an engineered core. This core is then finished with a veneer outer layer that is made up of more expensive wood. The outer layer provides the styling of a more traditional solid door, finishing the door beautifully.

The lipping is then fixed to the edges to ensure it’s bound together in both a secure and stylish way.

The engineered style of construction means that your door is much less likely to warp or bow, which can happen to solid doors as they twist and lose shape due to changes in temperature inside the home, whilst looking exactly the same as a solid door.

Due to the fact that they use less solid wood panels, engineered doors are cheaper to buy than solid doors.

Find out more about solid vs engineered doors on our blog.

Which to Buy?

When looking to buy an external bi-fold door, you may want to consider purchasing either a solid wood or engineered wood door. As with any purchase options, it’s important to consider the costs and benefits of both, and to remember your needs and requirements too.

As mentioned previously, solid wood doors are more expensive to manufacturer, therefore they are more expensive to buy. If you’re looking to save money and still have quality doors that look great and perform well, then an engineered wood external bi-fold door will be better for you.

If you’re primary focus is the styling and budget isn’t a factor, you might want to look at the solid door variant.