The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Interior Doors for Your New Home or Remodeling Project

Find out what type of door fits your needs...single or double swing.

From the Alpada Team

Choosing the right doors for your home should be an exciting experience — not overwhelming. Yet as a homeowner, the process can become stressful because it involves measurements, terminology, options, and decisions you've never had to make before.

At Alpada, we speak with hundreds of homeowners, designers, and contractors each year, and we know exactly which questions come up most often and where confusion usually begins. That's why we created this practical door buying guide — to help you feel informed, supported, and confident when choosing the right doors for your space.

This article will walk you through the essentials of how to choose interior doors that not only enhance your home's style but also provide functionality.

A beautiful door should not only complement your interior — it should work perfectly for how you live and move in your space.

Most people begin by choosing a door based on the look they love. But the truth is — design is the easy part. The real foundation for selecting an interior steel and glass door is understanding how it will function with your lifestyle.

"Before placing an order, it's essential to know whether the door opening is finished or still under construction. If it's finished — flooring, drywall, and trim in place — simply measure the opening and add a ½-inch total gap for the correct door size. If the opening is still unfinished, you'll need to determine the final floor height, what finishing materials (trim or door jambs) will be added, and the exact dimensions of the opening once everything is complete."

— Daria Palatna, co-owner, Alpada LLC

Step 1: Creating a Comfortable and Functional Space

Before falling in love with an interior door style, take a moment to think about how your door will be used.

Ask yourself:

• Should this room feel open and bright, or more private and quiet?
• Do I need more light flow between rooms?
• Will the door stay primarily open or closed?
• Should the doors be able to lock?
• Will the swing style interfere with furniture or movement when open?

These are key to choosing the right doors for both function and comfort.

If your goal is light, connection, and a modern airy feel — interior steel and glass doors are a fantastic choice. If you need more privacy and sound control, consider frosted glass options.

Step 2: Knowing More About Interior Door Types

Understanding the two main swing door configurations will help you choose what works best for your space.

Step 3: Measuring Your Door Opening with Intention

Correct measurements are essential to avoid stress later.

When preparing to order:

1. Measure width and height at three points each
2. Use the smallest measurement
3. Understand your final floor height if under construction
4. Allow approximately ½ inch total gap for installation

If your opening is unfinished (flooring, trim, or drywall still changing), always base your measurements on the final expected dimensions.

This one step prevents 90% of post-order issues.

A Note About Door Sizing and Frames for Ordering

All Alpada doors come pre-hung in a steel frame, ready for installation. The size you select is the total product size — including both the door frame and the door slab. This means the actual slab itself will be slightly smaller to ensure a perfect fit.

Before production begins, we'll send you detailed shop drawings for your approval, so you can review and confirm all dimensions with confidence.

"Always measure the width and height in several spots (top, middle, bottom) to determine the smallest dimensions. This ensures the door will fit the rough opening properly and avoids ordering a door that's too large."

— Dawn E. Morgan, Client Relations Manager, Alpada Doors

Step 4: What Affects the Price of Your Interior Door and What Doesn't

Many people are surprised to learn:

The price of an interior door is based on size and door type, not on design details.

What affects pricing:

• door size
• door type (swing, arch, etc)
• stock vs. custom order

What does not change the price:

• door handle design
• glass choice (clear/frosted)
• grid style
• frame color

"The most important detail we need first is the door size, as it directly affects the price. Once we have that, we can easily add other options such as glass type, door swing (in-swing/out-swing), and style,"

— Dawn E. Morgan, Client Relations Manager, Alpada Doors

🤍 Final Thought

Choosing interior doors shouldn't feel like guesswork. With the right guidance, it becomes a creative and enjoyable part of your new home or remodeling project

And we're here to walk that path with you — calmly, clearly, and with care.

"We provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through the entire process of selecting and preparing for a new door. From measuring your opening to choosing the right style, color, handle, and glass, we make the door buying process simple and stress-free."

— Dawn E. Morgan, Client Relations Manager, Alpada Doors

At Alpada, each style combines timeless design with durable steel construction — modern, elegant, and made to last.

Explore Alpada Doors' collections of steel and glass interior swing and french doors and imagine how they could transform your office, pantry, gym, wine room or other special location in your home.