Fire Doors 101: Essential Safety and Style for Your Home

There are so many rules and regulations in the construction world that keeping up with them can feel like a full-time job. To make things that little bit easier for you, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the life-saving world of fire doors. Simply work your way through this 3-minute read and you will never have to go anywhere else for the latest information. Perfect when you want to be able to cruise through your next project armed with everything you need. 

What are fire doors?

A fire door is an internal door that is expertly crafted from solid material and designed to stop the spread of fire and smoke should the worst happen. They are quite literally lifesavers and have to be made to uncompromising standards to make sure nothing is overlooked. 

What are fire doors made from?

Solid oak is often the material of choice for fire doors because it has the mechanical strength and thermal durability to withstand intense pressure and heat. Lighter doors made from boards or MDF may look similar at a quick glance, but in the event of a fire, they become nothing but fuel. Solid oak is the way to go when you want a fire door that effortlessly combines style and performance. 

How do you fit a fire door?

Fitting fire doors is very similar to hanging a normal door, it’s just that a little extra care and attention is required. If in doubt, hiring a professional to hang a door and correctly position the intumescent strips is the way to go. These strips are essential because they will expand when heated and close the gap between the door and frame. Incorrectly fitted strips could come loose over time and leave a gap for smoke to enter. 

Now that we have covered the basics, let’s take a look at how you can maintain a charming interior style while also protecting your home. 

Glazed fire doors let the light flow 

Making the most of the natural light at your disposal is the perfect way to make your space feel like it is coming to life. Take your time, find the right balance between light and dark, and then match to your surrounding features until you achieve the desired balance. It’s the timeless approach to integrating a fire door with glass so that you can stand back and see your dream home come to life. 

Make a feature of the oak grain

Your home is your castle, and that means you want to feel in total control of every aspect of it. Opting for oak fire doors that have plenty of traditional charm is a great way to really start tying things together. Give a little thought to how you might match your desired choice of stain, or other finish, and you will find that there are so many options out there. And because you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from investing in a quality fire door, you’ll always be able to sleep easy. 

Opt for enduring style that never fades 

Just as 30 minutes fire rated doors will stand up to anything, you also want the decorative and aesthetic elements of your choice to do the same. Solid oak is a refined choice because it will withstand the knocks and scrapes that are going to be inevitable in high-traffic areas. 

Choosing a touch of class that allows you to stand back and see something that feels truly timeless is what is needed here. Take your time to explore different lines and finishes from a range of premium fire safety doors and you’ll find what you want sooner rather than later. 

Door furniture makes all the difference 

A fire door may be a safety feature but that doesn’t mean it has to stand out and feel like it is too imposing. Matching surrounding features to your choice of door furniture will allow you to set the tone for a theme and style that speaks to you. 

Something as simple as exploring a different finish on the handle, or a new mounting plate profile, will allow you to take things in the right direction. Ideal when you want to be able to bring your home to life in a whole new way. 

Once you see the benefits of internal fire doors built from solid materials, you’ll know that you need to upgrade your home. Add in the fact that the use of solid oak provides an aesthetically pleasing finish and you will never feel like your home is too industrial or clinical. 

Think of a solid oak fire door as the perfect way to strike the balance between style and safety and you will soon have a home that makes you feel at ease for years to come.