Why the right door matters
Door is the first thing anyone sees when they step inside. It also bears the brunt of weather, traffic and security demands. Picking the wrong type is a cheap mistake that haunts you for years. Below I break down the eight door families you meet in Indian homes, where each shines, where it fails, and how much you actually pay in 2026.
Wood panel doors - classic look, high upkeep
Wood panel doors are built from solid timber planks glued or nailed together. Common woods: teak, sal, pine and mango. Thickness runs 35-45 mm for the panel, with a 25-30 mm frame.
- Best for: Main entrance, pooja room, heritage-style villas.
- Pros: Warm aesthetics, can be carved, ages beautifully if polished.
- Cons: Swells in monsoon, termite risk, needs quarterly oiling.
- Weather resistance: Moderate - good if sealed, poor in salty coastal air.
- Maintenance: Sand and oil every 3-4 months, replace damaged planks.
Price in 2026: Rs. 1800-2600 per sq ft for teak, Rs. 1200-1800 for sal. A standard 3-ft x 7-ft door costs Rs. 45,000-70,000 installed.
Wood flush doors - smooth and sturdy
Flush doors have a single solid board with a veneer or laminate surface. Greenply and Century dominate the market. Thickness 35-40 mm, no internal frame.
- Best for: Bedrooms, storerooms, secondary entrances.
- Pros: Uniform surface, easy to paint, cheaper than panel doors.
- Cons: Hollow-core variants exist; those are weak for high traffic.
- Weather resistance: Fair - laminate resists humidity, but edges can warp.
- Maintenance: Wipe with damp cloth, replace veneer if chipped.
2026 rates: Rs. 1500-2100 per sq ft for solid core, Rs. 900-1300 for hollow core. A 3-ft x 7-ft solid flush door is Rs. 32,000-45,000.
Panel doors - the middle ground
Panel doors combine a solid core with a raised or recessed panel. Usually 30-35 mm thick core plus 5-8 mm veneer. Works with both wooden and steel frames.
- Best for: Main door in middle-class homes, kitchen-cum-dining entry.
- Pros: Stronger than flush, decorative without heavy carving.
- Cons: Slightly heavier, hinges need reinforcement.
- Weather resistance: Good if painted with waterproof emulsion.
- Maintenance: Paint touch-up every 2-3 years.
Pricing: Rs. 1600-2300 per sq ft. A 3-ft x 7-ft panel door costs Rs. 38,000-55,000.
PVC (uPVC) doors - low cost, low drama
Sintex uPVC doors are extruded profiles filled with foam. Thickness 20-25 mm. Light weight, fully waterproof.
- Best for: Bathrooms, balconies, utility rooms.
- Pros: No rot, cheap, easy to clean.
- Cons: Looks cheap on main entrance, not as strong against forced entry.
- Weather resistance: Excellent - water never seeps in.
- Maintenance: Wipe with mild detergent, no polishing.
Current price: Rs. 800-1200 per sq ft. A standard 2-ft x 6-ft bathroom door is Rs. 9,600-14,400.
Glass doors - light and modern
Tempered or laminated glass set in aluminium or steel frames. Thickness 8-12 mm glass, frame 30-40 mm.
- Best for: Balcony, living-room patio, modern pooja area.
- Pros: Lets daylight in, sleek look, easy to clean.
- Cons: Breaks under impact, needs good lock system, high cost.
- Weather resistance: Very good if sealed, but condensation can appear in humid climates.
- Maintenance: Glass cleaner, check rubber gaskets annually.
Price range: Rs. 2500-3500 per sq ft for 8 mm tempered, Rs. 3,200-4,500 for laminated. A 4-ft x 6-ft balcony door runs Rs. 60,000-85,000.
Steel security doors - the fortress
Jindal and TATA Pravesh supply steel doors with a steel core, outer sheet, and decorative grill. Thickness 2-3 mm steel sheet, core 30-40 mm.
- Best for: Main entrance, ground-floor storeroom, high-value rooms.
- Pros: Highest security, fire resistant, virtually termite free.
- Cons: Heavy, can rust if paint chips, noisy hinges.
- Weather resistance: Good with proper powder-coat; coastal areas need extra zinc coating.
- Maintenance: Touch-up paint every 3-4 years, lubricate hinges.
Pricing: Rs. 3000-4200 per sq ft. A 3-ft x 7-ft steel door costs Rs. 63,000-94,000.
Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) doors - industrial strength in a light package
FRP doors are made from glass fibre mat soaked in polyester resin. Thickness 12-18 mm, finished with a smooth coating.
- Best for: Kitchen door, utility area, high-humidity bathroom.
- Pros: Strong, fire-retardant, resists moisture.
- Cons: Surface can chip, limited colour options.
- Weather resistance: Excellent - does not swell.
- Maintenance: Wipe with mild soap, replace damaged panel.
Cost: Rs. 1300-1900 per sq ft. A 3-ft x 6-ft kitchen door is Rs. 23,000-34,000.
Aluminium-framed doors - sleek and durable
Aluminium frames with either glass or wood core panels. Frame thickness 30-45 mm, panel thickness 20-30 mm.
- Best for: Balcony, modern living-room, pooja room with glass inserts.
- Pros: Corrosion-resistant, light, low maintenance.
- Cons: Conducts heat, can feel cold in winter.
- Weather resistance: Top notch - powder-coat finishes last 10+ years.
- Maintenance: Wipe with water, lubricate hinges.
Price: Rs. 2200-3000 per sq ft for aluminium-glass combo, Rs. 1800-2500 for aluminium-wood. A 4-ft x 6-ft balcony door sits at Rs. 55,000-78,000.
Frame material - matching the door
Frames can be teak, sal, honne (a mix of teak-sal), or steel. The choice depends on door weight and location.
| Frame Material | Typical Use | Load Capacity | Cost (per linear ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teak | Luxury main doors, heritage homes | High (up to 150 kg) | Rs. 350-500 |
| Sal | Bedrooms, secondary entrances | Medium (80-120 kg) | Rs. 250-350 |
| Honne | Mixed-budget villas | Medium-High (100-130 kg) | Rs. 280-400 |
| Steel | Security doors, balconies | Very High (200 kg+) | Rs. 200-300 |
Heavy steel or FRP doors need steel frames; light PVC or uPVC doors can sit on sal or teak without reinforcement.
Hinges and locks - the often-ignored partners
Wood doors pair with brass or stainless steel butt hinges (6-8 mm thick). For steel or aluminium frames use heavy-duty butt hinges (10-12 mm) with self-drilling screws.
Locks:
- Wood: Mortice lock with 2-inch latch, brass or zinc-alloy.
- PVC/FRP: Surface-mounted cylindrical lock, 1.5-inch latch.
- Steel: Multi-point deadbolt system, 3-point lock mandatory for security doors.
- Glass/Aluminium: Concealed tubular lock with steel reinforcement plate.
Never use a cheap 1-inch latch on a main entrance steel door - it will snap under force.
Decision matrix - quick compare
| Door Type | Material | Typical Thickness (mm) | Best Locations | Pros | Cons | Price per sq ft (Rs.) | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood panel | Solid teak/sal/pine | 35-45 | Main entrance, pooja room | Elegant, can be carved | Swells, termite, high upkeep | 1800-2600 | Oil every 3-4 months |
| Wood flush | Solid core + veneer | 35-40 | Bedrooms, storeroom | Uniform surface, cheap | Hollow core weak, edges warp | 1500-2100 (solid) / 900-1300 (hollow) | Wipe, replace veneer |
| Panel | Core + raised panel | 30-35 + 5-8 | Main door, kitchen entry | Strong, decorative | Heavier, hinge load | 1600-2300 | Paint touch-up |
| PVC | uPVC profile | 20-25 | Bathrooms, balconies | Waterproof, cheap | Looks cheap on main, low security | 800-1200 | Wipe with detergent |
| Glass | Tempered / laminated | 8-12 (glass) | Balcony, modern living | Light, modern look | Breaks, high lock cost | 2500-4500 | Clean glass, check gaskets |
| Steel security | Steel core + sheet | 2-3 (sheet) + 30-40 (core) | Main entrance, storeroom | Highest security, fire resistant | Heavy, can rust | 3000-4200 | Paint touch-up, lubricate hinges |
| FRP | Glass fibre + resin | 12-18 | Kitchen, bathroom | Strong, moisture resistant | Surface chips, limited colours | 1300-1900 | Wipe, replace panel if chipped |
| Aluminium-framed | Aluminium + glass/wood | 30-45 (frame) + 20-30 (panel) | Balcony, modern pooja | Corrosion free, light | Cold feel, conducts heat | 1800-3000 | Wipe, lubricate hinges |
Common mistakes you see on site
Hollow-core flush doors in bathrooms. They absorb water, swell, and the veneer peels. Use PVC or FRP instead.
Choosing PVC for the main entrance. It looks cheap and offers almost no resistance to forced entry. A steel security door or solid wood panel gives peace of mind.
Using teak where pine would do. Teak costs Rs. 350-500 per linear foot for frame, pine is Rs. 150-200. For a bedroom door the extra cost is wasted.
Skipping proper hinges on heavy doors. A 3-ft x 7-ft steel door on sal frame with light brass hinges will sag within a year. Use steel butt hinges and reinforce the frame.
Installing glass doors without a proper seal. In humid coastal towns condensation forms between double-glazed units, leading to foggy panes. Use aluminium frames with silicone sealant.
How to pick the right door for each room
- Main entrance: Steel security door (Jindal/TATA Pravesh) with 3-point lock, steel frame, 3000-4200 Rs./sq ft.
- Bedroom: Wood flush (Greenply) or panel door, teak or sal frame, 1500-2300 Rs./sq ft.
- Bathroom: PVC or FRP, steel or sal frame, 800-1900 Rs./sq ft. Avoid wood.
- Kitchen: FRP or steel door with stainless steel hinges, easy to clean, 1300-3000 Rs./sq ft.
- Balcony: Glass or aluminium-framed door, powder-coat steel or aluminium frame, 2500-4500 Rs./sq ft.
- Pooja room: Wood panel or aluminium-glass for a serene look, teak frame for longevity, 1800-3000 Rs./sq ft.
- Storeroom: Steel security door or solid wood panel if you need aesthetic, 3000-4200 Rs./sq ft.
Price snapshot for 2026 (per piece, standard 3-ft x 7-ft)
| Door Type | Price Range (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Wood panel (teak) | 45,000-70,000 |
| Wood flush (solid) | 32,000-45,000 |
| Panel door | 38,000-55,000 |
| PVC | 9,600-14,400 |
| Glass (tempered) | 60,000-85,000 |
| Steel security | 63,000-94,000 |
| FRP | 23,000-34,000 |
| Aluminium-framed | 55,000-78,000 |
Putting it all together
There is no one-size-fits-all door. Your choice must balance aesthetics, security, humidity, and budget. The rule of thumb: heavy, high-traffic or security-critical spots get steel or solid wood; wet zones get PVC or FRP; style-driven spaces get glass or aluminium frames. Match the frame material to the door weight, pick hinges that can bear the load, and never skimp on the lock for entry points. For room-by-room guidance, see our guide on how to choose the right door for every room in your home.
For a typical 2-bedroom bungalow you end up spending roughly Rs. 3-4 lakh on doors - a small price for a lifetime of smooth operation. If you find a contractor offering a "steel door for Rs. 20,000", walk away - it will rust, sag, and you'll pay double in repairs.