Door Frames & Linings

In order to ensure your door performs and lasts well, it’s important to order a frame/lining that perfectly fits and matches your door design. To help you pick out the correct frame for your door, let’s take a look at some of the factors you’ll need to consider. 

Here at DIY Megastore, we stock a range of both linings and frames to complete the installation of your door. But, what’s the difference between the two?  

A door lining is a type of frame structure designed to mask the gap between the wall and the door. Linings help to create a completely clean finish, whilst ensuring optimum durability and minimising sticking and jamming for smooth open/close functionality. There are a multitude of different sizes and materials available to accommodate your door’s installation and aesthetics. 

The door frame is attached to the door itself and is built to provide long-lasting support and stability. A variety of different elements including the lining, architrave and sill all make up the structure of a door frame. When correctly installed, a door frame holds your door upright, supporting and keeping it level with the floor whilst allowing smooth movement on the hinges. 

The level of durability needed for internal and external doors are not the same. Whilst interior doors require resilience against everyday wear and tear, doors exposed to the external elements necessitate more robust protection against harsh weathering and corrosion.  

Standard timber frames and linings are best suited to internal use, with some incorporating a moisture-resistant core for protection against rot and damp in rooms such as the bathroom. Engineered timber provides a higher level of strength and resilience so can be utilised externally with minimised threat of weather damage.  

Not all door frames can be fitted with all types of door. The frame/lining you opt for should depend on the size, design, and weight of the door structure to ensure full stability upon installation.

Softwood frames are a practical option for lighter panels constructed from MDF or plywood as they offer good levels of support without being too heavy. Hardwood frames are more appropriate for hanging heavy-duty solid timber doors thanks to their enhanced structural strength.  

That brings us onto the topic of materials. Frames and linings come in a range of materials including hardwood, softwood, MDF and engineered timber. Each material provides its own practical and visual benefits.  

When choosing a material for your frame or lining, consider the functionality and support needed for your door as well as just its appearance. As mentioned before a softwood frame won’t provide enough structural support for a large solid timber door. Instead a hardwood frame would be better suited as it is a heavier duty material. Hardwood would also beautifully complement the appearance of solid timber, blending seamlessly into the elegant, classic style of natural wood.  

White MDF linings are ideal for homeowners looking to create a clean, contemporary look and are often utilised with modern door styles.  

Fire rated doors can’t perform correctly without the appropriate fire rated accessories to go with them. This includes fire rated door frames and linings. Both are manufactured to withstand flame and heat at the same rate as your fire-rated door, preventing warping or damage which may hinder it’s open/close functionality. Fire-rated frames/linings are typically produced with a FD30 or FD60 fire rating to match that of your door. It’s important to consider the rating when purchasing your frame as you’ll need to coordinate with that of your fire door. 

Door frames are available to buy as a fully constructed one piece setup or may come as individual elements ready for self-assembly.  

External hinged doors will typically only open in a singular direction so think about the orientation at which you want your door to open. External door frames generally open towards the inside of the home, however both inward and outward opening door frames are available to accommodate both directions. 

Open door frames feature a head and two vertical stiles with no sill along the bottom. They are used for internal door installations where a raised threshold may affect the door’s functionality. Closed door frames do incorporate a sill or threshold, creating a full seal around the entire door when it sits in the closed position.  

Ideal for adding extra light exposure to your living space, glazed frames incorporate sleek glazing panels added to the top or sides of the frame. These panels come in a variety of different shapes and sizes to create the perfect decorative look for your door.