Flat Panel vs. Raised Panel Interior Doors: Which Is Better?

Things can be tricky when you are in the market for a new home interior door. You can easily get overwhelmed with the number of choices available.

The interior doors will have different materials, colors, designs, and construction. All these criteria will make your selection tougher.

Nonetheless, interior doors are basically of two types, flat panels and raised panels. Hence, the final decision comes down to flat panel vs. raised panel interior doors. So, which one should you choose for your home or office doors?

Flat panel doors are usually timeless classics. With time, their aesthetics don’t decrease. On the other hand, raised panel doors are more conventional with excellent aesthetics. Raised panel doors are praised for their amazing details too.

What Is A Flat Panel Door?

Recently, flat panel doors have become a hot choice among homeowners. It got popularity for the modern and contemporary looks of homes. But what is a flat panel door in reality?

The name is self-explanatory. The panel of the door is plain without any elevation. Also, you won’t find any borders around its edges. Some modern-day door manufacturers may add a slightly raised border, but that’s rare.

Next, you will find that the flat panels will have right angles when needed. Its lines are straight and equally divided. One of the key aspects of the flat panel door is its streamlined and straightforward design. It makes door maintenance easy. Also, the door will withstand the test of time. You never have to worry about its longevity.

Furthermore, flat panel doors are cost-effective. You will find good-quality flat panel indoor doors are cheaper than the raised ones. The flat panel doors will be a perfect deal-breaker if you are on a tight budget.

Main features of a flat panel interior door

• Streamlined, cleaner, and straightforward design
• The cleaner aesthetics look eye-catchy and modern
• There will be no border in the flat panel doors
• The lines of the doors are straight and without curvature

Pros:

• A cheaper option for interior door panels
• Easy to clean and maintenance
• Less intricacy means dust and residues won’t catch easily
• The simple but streamlined design is contemporary

Cons:

• Many homeowners think that these doors look flatter and not so visually appealing.
• These doors have limited color options; most doors are gettable in solid colors only.
• The wood grain and tones remain invisible due to solid color paints
• There will be no ornamentation on the flat panels

What Is A Raised Door Panel?

Raised panel doors are the traditional choice for both indoor and kitchen cabinets. Plus, you will see doors with raised panels in many old palaces and buildings. The additional ornamentation on the raised panels gives it a luxurious and premium look.

But, what is a raised door panel? Well, these doors will have a raised panel and border. The panel will have high elevation than its actual frame. Also, the angles can be right or intricate. It can be curved or arched for detailing too. It will depend on the design.

Moreover, its premium craftsmanship provides immense detailing on the raised panels. You will find its detailing and design insanely beautiful. Many homeowners prefer the raised door panel for their indoor doors and kitchen cabinets. Moreover, it brings a sense of gorgeousness and detailing.

The setback of the raised panel doors is that they require a long time to make. Also, its detailing and design make the doors highly expensive. Many people will find it difficult to afford the expense. Plus, these panels will need regular and extensive maintenance because of their intricacy. Dust and residues can easily build up inside the intricate panels, around the edges and corners.

Main features of a raised interior door panel:

• The frame will be lower, and the panel will be raised higher
• The details of the raised panel door can be curved or arched
• The grain of the wood is visible for a more aesthetical appearance
• A traditional and medieval appearance with the luxurious finish

Pros:

• Aesthetically pleasing and elevated luxury and appearance
• Stronger build quality will last longer than the flat panels
• Exposes the natural grain of the wood will look eye-catchy

Cons:

• These indoor doors are exceptionally expensive
• It needs high maintenance and cleaning due to the raised panels
• You need to balance the doors with a simple interior design

Flat Panel vs. Raised Panel Interior Doors:

Now, it’s time to enter the main discussion. Which type of door panel you should choose for your indoor spaces? Is it raised door panel? Or will the flat panels perform better?

If you love intricate detailing, high-quality craftsmanship, and gorgeous appearance, you should go for the raised panel doors. The design will surely elevate your overall interior design. However, due to their expensiveness, you need to have a good budget for these doors.

You can go for the flat panel doors if you lack the budget. Flat panel doors are cheaper than raised panels. Also, you will love the minimalistic design with no curvature on the frames. Plus, the easy maintenance and cleaning make the flat panel suitable for a busy lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are raised panels outdated?

Throughout the 1800 and 1900 centuries, raised panels were the go-to option for homeowners. But, nowadays, they are slightly dated with their traditional and heavier appearance.

• Are flat panel cabinets more expensive?

No, flat panel doors aren’t expensive. These doors are cheaper than the raised panel interior doors. You will find them pretty pocket-friendly.

Conclusion

Flat panel vs. raised panel interior doors is a never-ending debate. However, modern-day homes look better with the minimalistic and simple design of the flat panels. You can choose them if you don’t have enough time to maintain and clean them.

On the contrary, raised door panels are mainly for luxury. Unless you have an extravagant budget for purchasing it and maintenance, you should avoid it. The doors also don’t complement the modern-day homes that often have a minimalistic design.