Internal Doors in UK Office Spaces: A Practical Guide for Designers, Facilities Teams and Specifiers

Internal doors are more than simple passageways — in office environments they play a central role in acoustics, fire safety, accessibility, security, aesthetics and workplace wellbeing. Specifying the right doors for a UK office requires balancing functional performance with design, cost and regulatory compliance. This guide explains the key door types, performance criteria, regulatory considerations, hardware and best-practice tips to help you choose the right internal doors for modern workplaces.

Why internal doors matter in offices

In an era of hybrid working, open-plan layouts and flexible meeting spaces, internal doors still influence core workplace outcomes:

• Acoustic control: Doors are a primary barrier against sound transmission between meeting rooms, phone booths and open-plan areas.

• Fire safety: Fire doors compartmentalise a building and protect escape routes.

• Accessibility and circulation: Door widths, thresholds and hardware affect movement for all users, including wheelchair users.

• Security and privacy: Controlled access, lockability and visual screening matter for confidential meetings and secure spaces.

• Aesthetics and brand: Door finishes and glazing influence the look and feel of an office and contribute to corporate identity.

Getting the specification right reduces rework, improves employee comfort and helps ensure legal compliance.

Common internal door types for offices

• Solid core timber doors: A versatile, cost-effective choice. They offer good acoustic performance when paired with appropriate seals and cores.

• Engineered and veneered doors: Provide consistent appearance and stability with timber veneers in a range of finishes.

• Glazed doors and frames: Full-height or part-glazed doors maintain sightlines and light while providing separation. For acoustic or fire-critical zones, use acoustic or fire-rated glazed units.

• Fire doors: Constructed and tested to resist fire for a set period (commonly 30 or 60 minutes) and fitted with intumescent strips and certified hardware.

• Metal doors: Steel or aluminium doors are used in high-traffic, high-security or specialist areas; robust and low-maintenance.

• Acoustic doors: Specifically engineered to achieve high sound reduction (Rw values), combining heavy cores, seals and acoustic glazing where required.

• Sliding and folding doors: Useful for flexible spaces, but ensure they meet required acoustic and fire performance if used to divide critical spaces.

Key performance considerations

Acoustic performance

Office acoustics are often the top priority. Look for doors with tested sound reduction (Rw) ratings and ensure frames, seals and reveals are included in the acoustic strategy. Typical meeting rooms may require an Rw of 35–45 dB; confidential rooms may need higher. Acoustic seals (automatic thresholds, drop seals and perimeter gaskets) dramatically improve performance.

Fire performance

Where doors form part of a compartment wall or an escape route, they must be fire-rated and certificated. Fire doors must be installed with matching certified frames and hardware (self-closers, intumescent strips, fire-rated ironmongery). Always use doors and components listed on a fire door manufacturer’s certification/documentation and have installations checked by a competent person.

Accessibility and usability

Conform to Approved Document M principles and inclusive design: consider clear opening widths (minimum 750–800 mm clear for single wheelchair access in many scenarios), low or flush thresholds, lever handles at accessible heights (usually 900–1100 mm from floor) and easy-action closing forces. For busy offices, power-assisted doors or low-force closers may be appropriate.

Security and privacy

Specify lock types to match room use: simple privacy latches for meeting rooms, euro-cylinder multi-point locks for secure areas, or electronic access control (RFID, keypad) for flexible management. Laminated glazing or blinds between glass for sensitive rooms can add confidentiality without losing light.

Durability and maintenance

Choose materials matched to traffic levels. High-use corridors benefit from laminate or metal doors and heavy-duty ironmongery. Consider replaceable elements (glazing units, seals) to make future repairs quicker and cheaper.

Hardware and ironmongery

The right hardware ensures safety, compliance and usability:

• Self-closing devices: Essential on fire doors and often required on meeting rooms to maintain privacy and acoustic performance.

• Locks and latches: From bathroom privacy locks to electronic access control — ensure cylinder protection and compliance with fire door listings.

• Hinges: Use three hinges on taller doors and fire-rated hinges where required.

• Seals and thresholds: Perimeter acoustic seals and automatic drop seals at thresholds are crucial for sound performance.

• Vision panels: Provide sightlines and avoid collisions in high-traffic areas; safety glass must be specified where appropriate.

Always match door leaf, frame and ironmongery as a system and ensure the installer follows manufacturer guidelines.

Regulatory and compliance considerations

For UK offices, several regulations influence door selection:

• Building Regulations (Part B — Fire Safety): Determines requirements for fire doors in escape routes and compartmentation.

• Equality Act and Approved Document M: Dictate accessibility requirements and inclusive design considerations.

• Health and Safety at Work: Employers must ensure safe circulation and emergency egress, which affects door placement and operation.

• British and European standards: e.g., BS EN standards for acoustic performance, BS 8214 for timber-based fire door assemblies, and certification standards for ironmongery.

Working with experienced architects, specifiers and installers helps ensure compliance and proper documentation.

Sustainability and material choices

Sustainability is increasingly important. Consider:

• Recyclable materials: Metal frames and FSC-certified timber reduce environmental impact.

• Lifecycle costs: Durable doors with replaceable parts can be more sustainable over time.

• Low-VOC finishes: Improve internal air quality.

• Re-use: Retain and refurbish existing doors where possible to reduce waste.

Trends and design considerations

Modern offices are using doors to support flexibility and wellbeing:

• Slimline aluminium glazed doors for minimal sightlines and maximum daylight.

• Integrated acoustic pods and booths with purpose-built doors for privacy.

• Biophilic finishes and timber veneers to create warmer, more human spaces.

• Smart doors integrated with building management systems for occupancy and security control.

Specification checklist (practical)

1. Define room function (meeting, confidentiality level, circulation).

2. Set required acoustic Rw and fire rating minutes (e.g., FD30).

3. Choose material and finish for durability and aesthetics.

4. Specify glazing type and safety requirements (laminated, toughened).

5. Select certified fire door assembly where needed.

6. Specify hardware: closers, locks, hinges, seals, thresholds.

7. Ensure accessibility dimensions and handle heights.

8. Confirm warranty, maintenance plan and recycling end-of-life options.

9. Arrange third-party inspection for fire door installations if required.

   
   

Conclusion

Internal doors in UK office spaces are central to creating safe, productive and attractive workplaces. Good specification requires early collaboration between architects, acoustic and fire consultants, and the client. By prioritising the right combination of acoustic performance, fire safety, accessibility, security and durability — and choosing certified products installed by competent contractors — you’ll provide doors that perform well now and remain resilient to changing workplace needs.