Interior Door Ordering Checklist for Overseas Projects

Order interior doors as complete, numbered assemblies. The leaf, frame, trim, hardware and seals must fit the opening and work together. Choosing a door from a photograph without a door schedule leaves too many details to be resolved after manufacture.

For a villa, apartment or hotel, begin by identifying every opening on the floor plan. Connect each one to a room name and a unique door reference that will also appear on its packaging.

Record dimensions from the right surfaces

Distinguish structural opening dimensions from finished opening, frame and leaf dimensions. Confirm the finished wall thickness, floor level and surrounding wall finish. Tell the supplier which measurements are preliminary and who will verify them before production.

Architraves cover the junction around the frame; they are not the same component as the frame. Confirm both where required. If you want a concealed frame or flush appearance, review the wall construction and installation sequence early.

Draw the handing instead of relying on shorthand

Use a plan view with the hinge side and opening direction clearly shown. Handing terminology can differ between suppliers, so a simple diagram is more reliable than an unexplained left or right label.

Check conflicts with switches, furniture, bathroom fittings and adjacent doors. Show any restrictors or door stops needed to prevent damage. Confirm clear opening requirements with the project designer where they matter.

Describe the leaf construction

Ask for the face material, core, edge construction and finish. Terms such as solid wood, engineered wood and composite can describe different assemblies. Request a section drawing or construction description so you know what the quoted product includes.

Compare natural veneer, decorative film and painted finishes using physical samples. Record the approved color and surface texture. Where timber is involved, ask for storage, acclimatization and maintenance instructions suited to the product and site conditions.

Select hardware for the actual door

Specify hinges, handle set, lock case, cylinder or privacy mechanism, seals and door stop. Confirm that the components are compatible with the leaf thickness, weight and required operation. Hinge quantity and location should follow the approved assembly rather than a universal rule.

For hotel rooms or other controlled access spaces, coordinate the locking system and any wiring with the responsible specialist. If closers or access devices are required, have their fitting details included before fabrication.

Request evidence for performance claims

If the project requires fire, smoke or acoustic performance, ask the designer to define the requirement and request evidence for the relevant door assembly. A heavy leaf or a particular core name does not by itself demonstrate a rating.

Review the frame, seals, hardware and installation limitations covered by the evidence. Substituting a component can affect whether the documented assembly matches the supplied door.

Approve packaging and site handling

Label each door and its associated hardware with the same schedule reference. Confirm whether frames are supplied assembled or in sections and how finish surfaces are protected. Give the installer assembly instructions and the latest approved schedule before delivery.

Does a door quotation normally include hardware?

It varies. Ask for an explicit component list rather than assuming that a price per set includes every fitting.

What is needed for an accurate door quotation?

Send the floor plan, numbered door schedule, dimensions, finished wall thicknesses, handing diagrams and required performance. Include finish references and identify any openings that still need site measurement.

A door schedule that avoids common omissions

• Door number, room, quantity and dimensions with the measurement reference clearly named.
• Plan view showing the hinge side and swing direction.
• Leaf construction, finish reference, frame and architrave requirements.
• Lock, handle, hinges, closer, seals and stops marked included or excluded.
• Required performance documentation for the specific assembly, reviewed by the project team.
• Packaging labels that repeat the door number and room.