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The 7 Best Types of Wood for Home Doors, What Are They?

Doors are more than just a means of entering and exiting a home. They also play a crucial role in security and comfort, while enhancing the appearance of both the home’s exterior and interior. Unfortunately, many people still focus solely on design without considering the type of wood used for their doors.
In reality, the choice of wood type significantly determines a door’s resistance to weather, humidity, termite damage, and warping due to shrinkage or expansion. While the right type of wood may cost more upfront, it typically offers a much longer lifespan, making it more cost-effective in the long run.
So, which types of wood are most recommended for home doors? Here’s a comprehensive review!
7 Best Types of Wood for House Doors
Each type of wood has different characteristics, ranging from strength and termite resistance to the appearance of its grain. To help you make the right choice, here are the seven best types of wood for doors!
1. Teak
Teak remains the gold standard for making house doors. This material is known for its natural oil and silica content, which make it more resistant to termites, mold, and weather changes.
Other advantages of teak include:
- The wood grain is very beautiful.
- It is stable and does not warp easily.
- It is resistant to moisture.
- It can last for decades.
Teak doors are ideal for use as front doors due to their high structural strength.
2. Merbau Wood
Merbau is often a premium alternative to teak. Its reddish-brown color and distinctive grain give it a luxurious appearance.
In addition to its attractive appearance, this wood also has the following characteristics:
- It is very hard.
- It is impact-resistant.
- It has good resistance to termites.
- Suitable for areas with high humidity levels.
Merbau is widely used in modern and minimalist-style homes due to its elegant appearance.
3. Camphor Wood
If you’re looking for good quality at a more affordable price than teak, camphor wood is a great option. This wood has a distinctive aroma that insects dislike, which helps reduce the risk of termite infestation.
What are its advantages?
- Relatively lightweight.
- Easy to work with.
- Fairly smooth texture.
- Stable after proper drying.
4. Kruing Wood
Kruing wood is also a popular choice for house doors because it offers a balance between strength and price. The wood is quite dense, so it can support the door’s structure well, especially after undergoing proper drying and finishing processes.
What are its advantages?
- It’s more affordable than teak and merbau.
- It has good strength for house doors.
- It’s easy to work with to create various door designs.
- It’s suitable for both natural finishes and paint.
Kruing wood is suitable for both interior doors and main entrance doors located in areas protected from direct weather exposure.
Read also: The Best Types of Wood for Furniture! From Durable to Aesthetic!
5. Bengkirai Wood
Bengkirai is a type of hardwood native to Indonesia known for its high resistance to outdoor weather conditions. Its characteristics include:
- Hard and dense.
- Resistant to rot.
- Resistant to temperature changes.
- Suitable for exterior doors.
Due to its high density, working with it is slightly more difficult than with some other types of wood.
Read also: Kruing vs. Bengkirai Wood! A Complete Comparison Before You Choose!
6. Kalimantan Meranti Wood
Kalimantan Meranti is a popular wood for door manufacturing because it offers a more economical price without compromising on quality. With the proper treatment and finishing, this wood can provide a neat appearance along with optimal durability. What are its advantages?
7. Ulin Wood
Often referred to as “ironwood,” ulin is one of the strongest types of wood in Indonesia. This type of wood for doors offers exceptional resistance to water, termites, mold, and extreme weather conditions. Due to its extremely high hardness, ulin is typically used in high-end buildings and homes located in humid climates.
Comparison of the 7 Types of Wood Above
| Wood Type | Relative Price | Termite Resistance | Suitable for | Availability at Hojaya |
| Teak | Very high | Very high | Interior & eksterior | Not available |
| Meranti, Kalimantan | Economical | Moderate (requires treatment) | Interior and main door with appropriate finish | Available |
| Kamper Samarinda | Medium | Good | Covered interior and exterior | Available |
| Bengkirai | High | Very high | Exterior & damp areas | Available |
| Kruing | Medium | Good | Interior & doors | Available |
| Merbau | High | High | Interior & eksterior | Not available |
| Ulin | Very high | Very high | Exterior & Extreme Environments | Tidak tersedia |
How to Choose Wood for Your Home’s Doors?
There are several things you need to consider when choosing wood for durable home doors. What are they?
- Choose wood with a stable moisture content so it won’t warp easily.
- Match the material to the installation location—whether for interior or exterior use.
- Use wood that has undergone a kiln-drying process so its moisture content is more stable.
- Consider the level of resistance to termites and mold.
- Choose a supplier that provides high-quality materials with precise dimensions.
In addition, the quality of the finish also greatly affects the door’s durability. A good coating can help protect the wood’s surface from exposure to sunlight and moisture.
So, when choosing door materials, it’s not enough to just look at their appearance. The quality of the wood will significantly affect the door’s strength, security, and long-term lifespan. By understanding the characteristics of each type of wood used for doors, you can determine the most suitable choice for your home or construction project. To ensure the best possible results for your doors, make sure you use high-quality wood. Hojaya offers a wide variety of wood materials, such as bengkirai, Kalimantan meranti, Samarinda camphor, and many more. We also provide supporting materials like plywood, fancy, polyfilm, and film face that you can use for doors, furniture, interiors, and various construction projects.
To ensure the best possible results for your doors, be sure to use high-quality wood. Hojaya offers a wide variety of wood materials, such as bengkirai, Kalimantan meranti, Samarinda camphor, and many more. We also provide supporting materials like plywood, fancy wood, polyfilm, and film face, which you can use for doors, furniture, interior design, and various construction projects.
Don’t worry, we handle orders ranging from small-scale needs to large-scale projects, with shipping available throughout Indonesia. So, whatever your wood material needs may be, trust Hojaya, we’ve been a wood distributor in Bandung since 2001. Feel free to contact us to get high-quality wood materials tailored to your needs!
FAQ
1. What is the best type of wood for house doors?
Teak is the best choice because it is known for being strong, termite-resistant, stable, and having a very long lifespan.
2. Is meranti suitable for front doors?
Yes, but it’s best to use high-quality meranti that has undergone termite-resistant treatment and a good finish to ensure greater durability.
3. Which is stronger, teak or merbau?
Both are equally strong. Teak excels in terms of stability and natural durability, while merbau has a very high hardness level and is suitable for outdoor use.
4. Why does wood need to be dried before being made into doors?
The drying process helps reduce the moisture content so that the wood does not shrink, warp, or crack easily after installation.
5. Are all types of wood termite-resistant?
No. Some woods, such as teak, ironwood, and merbau, have better natural resistance. Other woods require additional protection through a termite-resistant treatment process.
6. Where can I buy wood for doors in Bandung?
You can buy it at Hojaya Kayu, Jl. Raya Kopo No. 212, or contact us via WhatsApp.