Print This Page Doors Constructed with a Hollow Core
The following diagrams illustrate typical construction methods for two doors made with CraftMaster designs. Shown at left is the Carraraฎ door. At right is a drawing of the original and authentic Colonistฎ door.

As you can see, the construction methods shown vary. In this example, the Carrara door features corrugated honeycomb core material, while the Colonist door showcases standard corrugated paper blocking.


Typical materials are:

Stiles and Rails:
Wood or Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), minimum of 7/8” wide.

Blocking/Pads:
Cardboard or EPS (Expanded Polystyrene or Styrofoam). This component is typically 1” wide, 12” long in the windows (see figure).

Lock Block:
Made from either wood or MDF and in the following dimensions: 3” x 6”, 3” x 8”, or 3” x 10.”

The majority of doors sold today have a hollow core. This does not mean that the interior of the door is empty. Instead, it means that the core material does not comprise the entire door cavity. Hollow core doors do not provide the same weight and feel as a wood door, and do not offer sound deadening protection.

Doors Constructed with Semi-Solid Core Construction
The following diagram illustrates typical semi-solid core construction. Pieces of particleboard or wood blocking are used instead of corrugated paper or EPS (as in a hollow core door). Typically, the core material pieces are much larger in size than in a hollow core door. This type of construction is not very popular since the cost is close to that of a solid core door. A semi-solid door offers a more pleasing, solid weight than a hollow core door.



Doors Constructed with Solid Core Construction
The following diagram illustrates solid core construction:

Typical materials are:
Styles and Rails:
Wood or treated wood, minimum of 7/8” wide.

Core:
Possible core materials include particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF), mineral core, or wood stave core. The illustration above shows the cut-out or routed pattern to allow the panel configuration to fit inside the core.

Why does CMI recommend that CraftMaster doors be specified with solid core construction?

Doors with a solid core more closely replicate the weight and feel of solid wood doors. The solid core material provides the door with enhanced dimensional stability and support. In addition to the pleasing weight and feel, doors with solid cores also act as better sound insulators than doors with hollow cores. Sound Transmission Coefficient, or STC, is an indicator of a given material’s ability to act as a sound barrier. The higher the number, the better the performance. Solid core doors will perform 15% better in this category than hollow core doors.

The following charts give comparative data showcasing the differences in weight and STC values for hollow core and solid core doors. As you can see, there is a considerable difference between a hollow core door and a solid core door.

Approximate weights for 1 3/8” thick doors
Type of Door Construction	Door Size 24” x 80”	Door Size 30” x 80”	Door Size 36” x 80”
Hollow Core	23 lbs.	28 lbs.	32 lbs.
Solid Core (28 lb. PB)	47 lbs.	58 lbs.	71 lbs.
	Door Size 24” x 96”	Door Size 30” x 96”	Door Size 36” x 96”
Hollow Core	29 lbs.	38 lbs.	46 lbs.
Solid Core (28 lb PB)	60 lbs.	75 lbs.	90 lbs.

STC values for 1 3/8” thick doors
Hollow Core (30” x 80”)	26
Solid Core (30” x 80”)	30

Heavy Weight. Pleasing Feel. Superior Sound Deadening.

Doors constructed with a solid core closely duplicate the feel of a solid wood door. Because the solid core supports the entire door, providing a more dimensionally stable surface, solid core doors offer enhanced durability. The pleasing weight is lovely to open and close. Solid core doors provide a quieter environment in your home.

All CraftMaster doors can be specified for solid core construction. Raised panel designs provide a strong upgrade from flush or flat-faced doors. CraftMaster solid core doors offer a truly premium decorating option for your home.