As they enter the world of remodeling a home or simply replacing an existing door, many people come across a basic question that lays at the crux of their door-purchasing decision: What is the difference between a panel door and a flush door, and could the difference matter to my final choice when buying a door?

The Difference Between Panel and Flush Doors, in a Nutshell

Flush Door

In the most basic sense, the difference between a panel door and a flush door has to do with how each is constructed.

In a panel door, the construction consists of vertical lengths of wood called stiles, and horizontal lengths of wood called rails. The perpendicular junctions of the stiles and rails are where the panels of the doors come to exist, and the number of stiles and rails within the construction of the door will determine how many panels there can be.

In a flush door, is much simpler in its construction. Crafted from one, singular piece of wood, flush doors are typically entirely flat on both sides, which earns them the name “flush” within the construction industry. Now, this does not mean that flush doors cannot be carved, embellished, or otherwise decorated—it just means that unlike a panel door, a flush door will always be manufactured from one, solid piece—and that’s the most elementary difference between these two door types.

Why Might I Choose a Panel Over a Flush Door, or Vice Versa?

Panel Door

The most common reason to choose a panel door over a flush door is the price point. Whether interior or exterior doors, panel doors are almost always in a more affordable category than flush doors. On the other hand, flush doors have their disadvantages, too. For example, many times flush doors do not come with doorframes, or when they do, these frames are often costlier than frames that typically come with panel doors as a single sale.

In addition, flush doors are somewhat more popularly sold as bare, meaning they are not finished, varnished, painted, or otherwise protected from the elements. In these cases, flush doors usually must be finished by contractors or other professionals to ensure they match the doorframe and the exterior of the home. But for all of what some may see as fuss, many flush doors do come already finished, such as many, many of the models at ETO Doors, and many do come standard with doorframes included. Shopping around to find the style and price you want is the best way for you to determine whether the right door for you is one that is panel or flush.