Interior doors procurement guide
How to procure interior doors: leaf types, frames, hardware, acoustic and fire needs, finishes, schedules and delivery, with a supplier question list.
Interior doors look simple, but a mid-size project can involve dozens of sizes, hands, hardware sets and finishes. The risk is not the leaf itself; it is the schedule that ties each door to the right frame, hardware and rating. This guide shows how to organize the procurement so the right doors arrive at the right openings.
Start with a door schedule
A schedule lists every opening with a unique mark, location, width, height, thickness, hand, leaf type, frame type, finish, hardware set, rating and notes. Build it from the drawings, then check each rough opening on site. Many delays come from a frame that does not fit the wall thickness or a swing that hits a fixture. Use the schedule as the base of your RFQ so each supplier prices the same list.
Leaf and core choices
| Leaf | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow-core | Bedrooms, closets | Light and economical; limited sound reduction |
| Solid-core or particleboard core | Better sound and feel | Heavier; needs stronger hinges |
| Solid wood or stile and rail | Feature doors | Moisture movement; finish care |
| Glazed doors | Offices, borrowed light | Safety glazing where required |
| Fire-rated doors | Corridors, stairs, separations | Only as a listed assembly with rated frame and hardware |
For rooms where speech privacy matters, tie the door choice to the acoustic insulation guide; a good wall with a gapped door performs like the gap.
Frames and hardware sets
Frames can be wood, hollow metal, aluminum or composite, and must match wall thickness and the leaf. Hardware sets (hinges, latch or lock, stop, closer) should be defined per door type: passage, privacy, entry, utility, fire, accessible. Decide on keying early. Where doors are on an accessible route, check lever hardware, opening force and clear width with the designer and local rules.
- Hinge count and size according to leaf weight and height.
- Latch function (passage, privacy, storeroom, classroom).
- Door stops and silencers.
- Undercuts or grilles where air transfer is required.
- Threshold or seal where a floor change or sound sealing is needed.
Finish, painting and protection
Decide whether doors are factory finished, primed or raw. Factory finishes are more consistent but need protection and touch-up. Primed doors need sealing of top and bottom edges to resist moisture. Coordinate with the paints and coatings guide and avoid hanging doors before wet trades finish. Store flat, off the floor, indoors and wrapped, since humidity can warp leaves.
Delivery, inspection and quality
On delivery, check quantity against the schedule, mark and hand on each unit, dimensions, damage, and finish. Open a sample to check core and edges. Record issues with photos on the delivery note. Ask the supplier for replacement lead times before accepting a short delivery, and keep a small allowance for damaged items.
- Unpack and match each door to its schedule mark.
- Check size, hand, thickness and frame depth.
- Verify hardware preps are cut for the specified sets.
- Reject warped, scratched or wet items before installation.
- Keep keys, templates and instructions with the project record.
Questions for suppliers
Ask about lead times by finish, minimum order, restocking fees, who provides installation support, and whether product data and warranties are available in writing. Where acoustic or fire performance is required, request the test or listing documentation and the exact assembly it covers. Final ratings and compliance decisions rest with the designer and the local authority.
Allowances, substitutions and change control
Hardware and finish allowances are a common source of disputes: an allowance that looks generous on paper may not cover the products the designer expects. State the allowance clearly, list the products intended, and require approval before substitutions. Keep a change log of schedule revisions so the supplier works from the latest list. Ask for a mock door or sample with the specified finish and hardware to approve before bulk production.
For projects with many repeating rooms, standardizing a few door types reduces cost and spare parts.
Questions people ask
What should be in an interior door order?
A door schedule keyed to drawings: size, hand, leaf type, frame, hardware set, finish, rating where required, and quantity, plus delivery location and protection.
Are hollow-core and solid-core doors the same?
No. Solid or mineral cores give more mass and sound reduction than hollow-core, and they cost more. Specify core by room need.
Do interior doors need fire or acoustic ratings?
Only some do, such as corridor, stair or separating doors. Ratings are set by code and the designer, and apply to listed assemblies.
Prehung or slab?
Prehung units save site time and give consistent gaps; slabs offer flexibility for retrofits. Choose per project.
Sources and further reading
Have a project outline or drawings?
Organize your scope, then contact Digital Oro through its official channel. Availability, engineering, pricing and delivery terms need project-specific confirmation.
Explore Digital Oro →Digital Oro International advertises on The Company Chronicle. This guide was written by our editorial team from public sources and general professional practice; it does not describe a guarantee, quote or offer from Digital Oro International. Confirm current terms, prices and availability with the operator before you decide.