This post is an overview of interior and exterior door types, what they are made of, and the potential off-gassing of VOCs of each type.
We will look at which types are non-toxic and safe, with zero to little offgassing.
The post will focus on outlining the types of doors you will find at big box stores like Home Depot, specialty stores, and online.
I will also cover unusual and creative options (including non-wood options) that will suit the most chemically sensitive or the true purist who wants the healthiest door possible.
This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Solid Wood Doors
This category of doors are real solid wood through and through.
Solid wood doors are one of the most non-toxic types.
However, only really old doors might be one solid piece (a slab).
Modern solid doors are made from a number of solid pieces glued together in a frame and panel construction.
You might also find flush (flat) doors that have solid wood pieces inside and a veneer on the outside.
When looking at a door that has solid strips glued together on the interior, you may want to know the size of the pieces of wood.
Some companies may call this “engineered” if it’s made of many small pieces of wood. This also, of course, means more glue used in the door.
However, if the door is made of all solid wood pieces and not fiberboard/particleboard, it will likely be called a solid wood door.
Wood glues:
Glue types used in solid wood doors are included in the book and course.
A naturally rot-resistant wood type is also included in the book and course.
Simpler Versions of doors made only with real solid wood:
Louvered doors can be used when not much privacy is needed.
There are some that are made only out of solid wood.
You can find them unfinished and finish them yourself if you like.
You can find these on Amazon and at big box stores.
Here is my list of non-toxic finishes and paints.
Solid wood barn doors can be found at big box stores like Home Depot as well as on Amazon.
Add hardware from Amazon.
Hollow Core Doors
Typical interior doors in new houses and apartments are hollow core.
You can easily tell as they do seem to be hollow inside and are light.
What’s inside these doors is outlined in the book and course.
Brands
Some brands use urea-formaldehyde, some use phenol-formaldehyde, some are formaldehyde-free. I mention the preferred brands in my book and course on healthy building.
Seal the Door
Some folks who are avoiding toxins or are chemically sensitive do choose to use this door type. You can seal in the off-gassing.
See the post on sealers for more info on sealing in off-gassing.
Solid Core Doors
Solid core doors have an engineered or composite wood inside, usually a fiberboard.
The other type of solid core door is solid MDF or another composite wood product molded into a shape and painted.
This is my least favorite category of doors for those avoiding toxins or for chemically sensitive persons.
Because the core is a solid MDF (or other lower-density fiberboard) this potentially has the highest off-gassing of the door types. MDF is made usually with formaldehyde (or in a few cases with MDI glues), they off-gas for quite a while in my experience.
You can find solid core doors on Amazon, at hardware stores as well as at specialty door stores.
Glass Doors
Glass and metal doors can be found in clear or frosted and can offer some privacy.
The benefit is how little there is to off-gas (if anything).
I go through various glass door types in the book and course.
Metal doors
door that is fire rated
Metal doors are usually intended to be exterior doors or in apartment buildings they are the entrance door.
Steel doors have an exterior of heavy-gauge galvanized steel over a core.
Apartment doors are typically steel in a simple slab construction, pictured, (the one pictured is by Jeld-Wen).
What’s inside a steel door (which I talk about more in the book and course) is well sealed up by the metal (if the edges are welded) and so the off-gassing should not affect the occupant.
You want to look at the finish on the outside.
There are a few more tips on using metal doors for sensitive folks in the book and course.
Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass doors are also exterior doors.
They have a core of rigid insulation or polyurethane spray foam inside, and are clad with a fiberglass skin, they usually have a wood look.
Inside the door may be wood (real and or composite) and plastic to frame it.
The fiberglass skin is rather thin.
Fiberglass is not typically the most tolerable material for those with extreme chemical sensitivities, but they certainly work for some people (and check out different brands, as they are not all the same).
Vinyl Doors
Patio doors, sliding glass doors, and other glass door types have framing in vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum.
Similar to my assessment in my post on windows, I prefer metal.
Hard unplasticized vinyl can be quite tolerable for some.
Vinyl can also be used as a skin over metal doors which would not be a preference for me for healthy doors.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Anne
What do you think of interior doors with kiln dried LVL cores that are wrapped with laminated veneers? These are the doors recommended by my builder. I’ve contacted the manufacturer to learn more about what adhesives may be used, etc. but they have yet to respond. All the rep was able to tell me initially is that they are Carb 2 compliant. I appreciate any additional insight you might have.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
lvls made with formaldehyde from what i have seen
Tiffany
Unfortunately, my contractor installed the wrong doors. I had requested solid wood doors and said if those weee unavailable or too expensive, we would prefer hollow core doors and definitely NOT solid core doors (per your recommendations).
We moved in to realize that the doors are indeed solid core and I pickup a lot of odor from them. I think they are the number one thing in the house that is off gassing. They are already installed and painted, is there still a way to seal in the smell or do you have any other recommendations? We can’t afford to remove and replace them all.
Thank you! As always, your advice and information are very appreciated!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
it’s not going to be 100% perfect but yes you can seal them see the posts on sealing in off-gassing
J . Feiler
How to seal off gassing exterior and interior doors pleas and thank you.!!!
Ariel Chynsky
Hi,
Are Simpson doors a brand you mentioned as being relatively good for people with MCS.? These doors are oak and the seller said that are solid. https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSeYQoRjb/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I havent mentioned that brand. Please review what solid and solid core can mean.
Laura
Hi,
What do you think of Jeld Wen solidcore doors which are greenguard gold certified?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
the certification doesnt mean anything to me at this point, if they are made with solid MDF which is made with formaldehyde most of the time then it’s one of if not the highest offgassing door, which could be a problem for people who are chemically sensitive.
Laura
Thank you for your reply. I have found some masonite doors which are the emerald version and contain no added urea formaldehyde. Do you think those would be ok?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
they have HDF made with phenol formaldehyde, which is better than solid MDF, since they are hollow on the inside. whether they are ok for you depends on your level of chemical sensitivity. they would be just fine for me.
Laura
Thank you. These also come in Solid core but with no added urea formaldehyde.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
then they both are made with phenol formaldehyde which is way more common these days and is the norm
JILL C ROBINSON
Rustica.com is a good source from what I can tell for solid and glass/metal doors
Eli Richardson
It’s helpful to learn about different door materials and their use in exterior or interior spaces. I’m looking for new doors and windows for my office space, and I think your post will help me out. Next week, when I order an exterior door for the office, I’ll surely look for metal ones with non-toxic components.
Mia Evans
I find it interesting when you said that accoya wood will not shrink and warp as much as those exposed to moisture and from those that are interested. I can imagine how it can be a great choice for commercial doors as well, especially when you need one made from wood to match your brand’s aesthetic. It will not be a faux material while having the assurance that it will not get damaged easily over time.
Stefano
Corrine;
Are the off gas levels safe on a finger jointed pine door? I am considering putting sliding/bypass closest doors in our bedroom.
Joe
Hey Corinne, what brand would you recommend for a sliding metal-framed screen door? I live in an apartment and need a new one but I’m worried about offgassing. Thanks
Sharon
Hey Joe, what did you end up going with? I am also looking for a screen door without a prop 65 warning. PCA Products is all that I have found so far, but they are only screen—no retractable glass.
Max Jones
Thanks for the info about doors. I am thinking of getting new doors. I’ll consider aluminum doors for my needs.
Kare
Hi, I am looking to replace my front door with a Jeld Wen steel door, assuming it is the safest and most practical at this point. I can’t get over the CA Prop 65 warning. I can’t see what it is about the door that would prompt this warning. Should I be concerned?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WEN-36-in-x-80-in-Left-Hand-Inswing-Fan-Lite-Blakely-Decorative-Glass-Dark-Chocolate-Steel-Prehung-Front-Door-THDJW230000148/315983859
Thannks!
Tara
Hi Kare,
At a glance, I’d say it’s the Polystyrene core. I did some light research and learned that it is said to release large amounts of carbon monoxide, Styrene and other toxic chemicals into the environment. It is the core, so I am not sure how impactful this would be to the interior of our homes, but I too, am seeking a healthy front door option and would love to hear Corrine’s take on this.
Corinne
polystyrene does not offgas styrene or anything else. prop warning probably for flame retardants but you would have to ask them what its for
Tammy
Look at the components. Do not purchase anything with prop 65 warning if you have any sensitives. I purchased a door that had Styrene in it and had severe chemical/MCA symptoms for weeks. It was absolute torture and now I am on here looking for other healthier options.
Access Doors and Panels
It is an awe-inspiring and informative post. Thanks for this post. Well researched.
brit
Hi I have to replace a front door and I see you do not recommend the fiberglass so thats good to know. So is steel or wood best?
Dave
Which interior door comes without pro65 warning? Trying simple white color interior doors but not how to search w/o that warning
Corinne
The prop warning is either for wood dust and or formaldehyde. If it has MDF then it has what I would consider to be a significant level of formaldehyde. If it has HDF as the skin it’s much lower.
Angie Witte
Hello, I am working with a man who seems very good in terms of vocs, he’s recommending Pro Plast fiberglass doors for patio doors, which seems to be a good company, but uses foam insulation. I feel maybe I have to go with aluminum sliders, but they are a 4 month wait time and these are faster, and the doors leak (plastic over them).. do you know anything about this brand? Thanks very much!
Katherine Ward
My recently purchase Grisham Bros. Iron security door gives off a chemical order when the sun hits it. Is there anyway of determining if these fumes are lethal or not?
Adam Golightly
I can understand how a business could really benefit from getting the right kind of door in order to be safer. It could be really useful for them to get a fire-rated door from a professional. It was interesting to learn about how metal doors are made of spray foam with galvanized steel which should be sealed up by the metal.
Jan Lamb
Hi
What kind of wood material would you recommend as being less toxic for internal double doors with or without glass. Thank you
Corinne
Solid wood if you can. In terms of which species you should consult with the door builder.
rihqlmuqoz
Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?
Daina Pearson
Corrine,
Is the interior solid core wood door a fire-rated door? I was told this was a preferred choice for an interior kitchen-to-garage fire-rated door.
Thanks,
Daina
Corinne
check how many minutes the door is fire rated so it fits your codes or requirements