Thread: Solid Maple Doors

I'm not a door expert, but my understanding is that 'solid' refers to real timber as opposed to hollow core doors which are 2 sheets of masonite separated by corrugated cardboard. So you did get a solid maple door (assuming the laminations are maple).

Cheers,
Adam

I can understand how you feel but i think that solid and maple are two separate descriptions. Solid as in not hollow ie no corragated cardboard inside and maple as in exterior cladding. (veneer)

What they said and please don't feel dissappointed.

Originally Posted by Blue Gum

Hi Folks,

I have a question regarding the defintion of "Solid Maple doors".

I have recently purchased many new interior 4 panel doors for our house from a large well known company. The doors were described by the company as "Solid Maple". Upon installation of the doors, I find that the doors are constructed using a series of small timber strips which are laminated and glued together to form a base to which a thin veneer is attached.

I'm quiet dissappointed with this as I was expecting the stiles and rails to be constructed from single pieces of timber joined together. I have approached the company and complained about this and their response was that I "did not understand the accepted industry description of Solid Maple". I'd be interested in hearing from some experts here. Was my expectation of a Solid Maple door incorrect or is this company incorrectly representing their product? Thanks in advance.

No your expectation was reasonable just not in touch with the world today.
While not having the appeal of a fully jointed door the block construction will create a very stable product.
Today solid just means not hollow. There are plenty of doors made as you expected but the infill panels will either be glased or floating solid panels.

Rgds

Ross

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it.

I did have a good laugh at the observation that I'm "not in touch with the world today".

I suppose that I should have specified "Timber Joinery Doors" to get what I wanted. We live and learn.

Originally Posted by Blue Gum

I suppose that I should have specified "Timber Joinery Doors" to get what I wanted. We live and learn.

Even better, you should of tried to make the doors yourself, that way you would of got exactly what you wanted without getting your standards lowered to industry standards.

To me, 'Solid maple doors' infers doors made from solid maple! I know I live in a different century, but anything less than that just wouldn't satisfy me.

Has the English language really deteriorated to the point where a spade no longer confers a spade?

Thanks for the support Wouldwood. I'm definately not satisfied and I paid quiet a lot for these doors. In seeking redress from the company, I don't seem to have a leg to stand on based on the replies here.

Reality is that a seller now describing a 'solid maple door' is most likely to mean as others have said) a door of some timber or other internally (usually glued small blocks or laminated strips) with a maple ply veneer albeit sometimes with solid maple panels if the design has them.

Still not an accurate description though - should properly be called a 'solid core door maple finish' as the real discrimination they are discussing is 'solid core' as opposed to 'hollow core' rather than the external timber type. But this is so common as to be unenforceable under TPA or fair trading laws would be my guess.

I love real solid timber doors and other furniture, but the fact is that especially nowadays with limitations on the quality of timber available solid core veneered doors are more serviceable and pragmatic as well as being less expensive.

I have experienced clients who insisted upon 'real timber' doors or furniture even when warned of the potential issues (twisting, bending, splitting, colour variation, etc) and then expect them to be 'fixed' when these issues arise - often at some significant later time. Of course variations are part of what makes real timber appealing to so many of us.

Shows that even on some simple things we need to be able to ask the right questions to get the answers we want and reminds me of that old adage that catches us all out - Assume makes and Ass of U & Me.

Pity you didn't get what you were after, but unless you tell people otherwise most will think you have lovely timber doors - and you do . . .

Thanks for all the advice.

I still feel I was mislead in that the seller did not mention "solid core", "solid engineered" or "'solid core maple veneer finish'. I believe that I've been mislead by ommision of these key terms. When I search other sellers websites, I often see these more descriptive terms used.

Regarding the timber comprising the door core, I have a sample left over from the installation of the passage sets. The core samples feel as light as styrofoam and I'd be very surprised if they were in fact maple. Is there anyway to have the core timber species positively identified as maple?

Thanks
Peter

Originally Posted by Blue Gum

...Is there anyway to have the core timber species positively identified as maple?
Thanks
Peter

How big is your left over sample....post a pic and if its large enough to see the grain someone might be able to tell.

Incidentially, my sister bought some solid oak doors last year. They were 'solid' oak when they arrived.....solid....but I am on a different continent!

Originally Posted by Woodwould

To me, 'Solid maple doors' infers doors made from solid maple! I know I live in a different century, but anything less than that just wouldn't satisfy me.

Has the English language really deteriorated to the point where a spade no longer confers a spade?

No but hue to OH&S regulations the size and therefore the weight has been reduced by 50% so nobody gets tired using it not that you can find anybody who is a citizen who is willing to dig a hole with it!

Ross

Originally Posted by Blue Gum

Thanks for all the advice.

I still feel I was mislead in that the seller did not mention "solid core", "solid engineered" or "'solid core maple veneer finish'. I believe that I've been mislead by ommision of these key terms. When I search other sellers websites, I often see these more descriptive terms used.

Regarding the timber comprising the door core, I have a sample left over from the installation of the passage sets. The core samples feel as light as styrofoam and I'd be very surprised if they were in fact maple. Is there anyway to have the core timber species positively identified as maple?

Thanks
Peter

Probably Surian ! Does it smell at all like Aust Cedar if so then Surian for sure.

Ross

Originally Posted by Blue Gum

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it.

I did have a good laugh at the observation that I'm "not in touch with the world today".

I suppose that I should have specified "Timber Joinery Doors" to get what I wanted. We live and learn.

IT wasnt a did at you at all just thet your expectations were reasonable and the world today in no way reflects what is reasonable.

Ross