If you’re in the market for a new door, you may be wondering what the difference is between a flush door and a rebated door.
Both types of doors have their pros and cons, but which one is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of the differences between flush doors and rebated doors so you can make an informed decision.
After reading this, you’ll know the key differences between these two types of doors and be able to choose the one that best suits your needs.
In this post we'll cover:
What is a flush door and what is a rebated door?
A flush door is a door that has a smooth surface with no indentations or raised panels.
A rebated door, on the other hand, has a groove or rebate cut into the door’s edge. This allows the door to fit snugly against the frame of the door opening.
Rebated doors are only used with steel frames on the inside. The doors consist of two compartments, with the largest compartments recessed.
A flush door, on the other hand, is completely flat. When you close a blunt door, it falls right into the frame.
A rebated door, on the other hand, has a rebate (notch) of about one and a half centimeters on the sides.
And if you close it, this door will not fall into the frame but onto the frame. So you cover the frame, as it were.
You can recognize a rebated door by its special hinges, also called hinges.
The pros and cons of each type of door
There are a few key advantages and disadvantages to both types of doors. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of flush doors and rebated doors.
Normal flush doors
PROS:
- Smooth surface is easy to clean
- Can be easily painted or stained
- Less expensive than rebated doors
- Easy to install
CONS:
- Can be difficult to seal against weather and drafts
- Not as strong as rebated doors
Rebated doors
PROS:
- Fits snugly against the door frame, making it more energy efficient
- More durable and sturdy than flush doors
CONS:
- More expensive than flush doors
- Can be difficult to install
- Not all hardware is compatible
Also read: this is how you paint rebated doors
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.