Types of door cores and their functions

The core refers to the internal component of an architectural door. Its main function is to provide structural stability and has specific properties depending on the type of core.

Among the properties that the door core can have, there are fire resistance, acoustics, mechanical strength, etc. Each property depends on the door’s construction, as well as the material selected.

All the doors we manufacture at WKS are composed of an engineered core that adapts to the solution and design of each project. We currently offer non-certified and certified door solutions, aligned with the highest standards of quality and performance.

Tubular

The tubular core consists of particle board with longitudinal tubular perforations running through its structure. This configuration provides an optimal combination of lightness and strength, ideal for the manufacture of high-specification interior doors.

Key Features:

• Weight Reduction: Up to 60% lighter than solid boards, making the doors easier to handle and install.
• High Impact Resistance: The internal tubular arrangement provides remarkable resistance to impacts and daily use, surpassing traditional honeycomb structures.
• Dimensional Accuracy: Offers a thickness accuracy of +0.1 mm, ensuring flat surfaces and preventing warping or bowing over time.
• Dimensional Stability: Minimizes the risk of swelling or warping, even in humid conditions, making it suitable for doors with delicate surfaces.
• Sound Insulation: Provides sound insulation of up to 30 dB, improving comfort in interior spaces.

Particle

Particleboard core is a widely used option in the manufacture of architectural doors due to its balance of cost, performance, and versatility. This core is composed of finely ground particles of recycled wood or wood industry byproducts, bonded with adhesives and pressed to form a solid, uniform board.

Key Features:

• Density and Strength: Standard particleboard cores feature a density that provides good structural strength suitable for general-purpose applications. For applications requiring greater strength, high-density particleboard cores, known as Extra Heavy-Duty (EHD) particleboard cores, are used. They offer greater support for surface-mounted hardware and superior durability.
• Fire Ratings: Standard particleboard cores can offer fire ratings of up to 20 minutes, suitable for many interior applications. EHD cores can achieve fire ratings of up to 45 minutes, providing greater protection in areas where higher fire safety standards are required. 
• Hardware Compatibility: The uniform structure of the chipboard allows for easy and secure installation of various types of hardware, including hinges and locks, while maintaining a firm and long-lasting hold. 
• Sustainability and Certifications: Additionally, FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood cores are available, ensuring that the wood used comes from responsible and sustainable sources.

SCL

Structural composite lumber core, known as SCL, is an advanced option for architectural door construction, recognized for its exceptional strength, dimensional stability, and durability. This core is manufactured from strands or sheets of various wood species, bonded with resins using high-pressure and high-temperature processes, resulting in a homogeneous, high-performance material.

Key Features:

• Dimensional Stability: Thanks to its uniform composition, SCL is less prone to deformations such as warping, twisting, or shrinking, maintaining the door’s integrity and appearance over time.
• Hardware Compatibility: SCL’s solid structure allows for secure and long-lasting attachment of various types of hardware, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing blocks.
• Fire Resistance: Doors with an SCL core are available in unrated versions or with a fire resistance rating of up to 20 minutes, complying with specific safety regulations.
• Common Applications: High-Traffic Doors: Ideal for installations in hospitals, schools, offices, and other environments where a robust and durable door that can withstand intensive use is required.
• Large Doors: Suitable for doors with special dimensions, as their structural stability allows for the manufacture of larger leaves without compromising their integrity.

Mineral

Mineral Core is a leading choice for architectural door construction, especially when high fire resistance ratings are required. This core is composed of non-combustible materials, such as a blend of minerals and fibers, providing fire resistance of up to 90 minutes.

Key Features:

• Fire Resistance: Offers 45, 60, and 90-minute ratings, meeting strict fire safety regulations.
• Dimensional Stability: Maintains its shape and structure even under high temperatures, ensuring reliable performance during critical situations.
• Finish Compatibility: Allows the application of wood veneers, high-pressure laminates (HPL), or painted surfaces, facilitating aesthetic integration into various interior designs.

Acoustic

The Acoustic Core is an engineered solution designed for doors requiring high soundproofing, such as apartment entrances and hotel rooms.

Key Features:

• Superior Sound Insulation: The multi-layered structure of the acoustic core provides excellent sound reduction, improving privacy and comfort in interior spaces.
• Acoustic Insulation: Depending on the configuration, it offers sound reduction levels ranging from 28 dB to 42 dB.

Agrifiber

The Agrifiber core is a sustainable and efficient option for architectural doors, manufactured from renewable agricultural materials such as wheat and soy. This core meets ANSI A208.1, Grade LD-2.

Key Features:

• Sustainability: Made with rapidly renewable agricultural materials, it contributes to reducing environmental impact.
• Fire-Resistance Options: Available in 20- and 45-minute fire-resistance ratings, suitable for a variety of applications requiring fire safety.
• Finish Compatibility: Allows for the application of wood veneers, high-pressure decorative laminates (HPDL), or paintable surfaces, offering aesthetic flexibility for different interior designs.