WPC Doors vs Wooden Doors – Which is Better for Bathrooms in 2026?
Wooden doors have always been considered a premium and natural choice for homes. Many people believe that because wood is strong and traditional, it will automatically last long in every condition. However, this assumption does not hold true for bathrooms.
Bathrooms are high-moisture areas. Daily exposure to water, steam, and temperature changes causes wooden doors to expand and contract continuously, which leads to warping, swelling, fading polish, and high maintenance costs.
On the other hand, WPC (Wood Polymer Composite) doors are engineered specifically for such conditions and are becoming the preferred modern alternative.
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What Are Wooden Doors?
Wooden doors are made from natural wood, or engineered wood usually finished with polish or paint. While they look premium and classy, wood is a living material that reacts strongly to environmental changes.
Common Problems with Wooden Bathroom Doors:
- Expand in monsoon and contract in summer
- Swelling causes door to rub or get stuck
- Bottom part gets damaged first due to water contact
- Termite and borer risk
- Polish scratches easily and fades
- Requires carpenter trimming every few months
- Needs repolishing or repainting every 3–4 years
Wooden doors may last long in bedrooms or halls, but in bathrooms their life is significantly shorter.
What Are WPC Doors?
WPC (Wood Polymer Composite) doors are made from a combination of wood fiber and plastic polymer, resulting in a solid, waterproof, and dimensionally stable material.
At Bright Doors, our WPC bathroom doors are:
- 28mm/30mm thick solid core
- 100% waterproof
- Termite & borer proof
- UV digital printed wood textures
- CNC router and groove designs
- Solid color and matte finishes
WPC doors are designed for wet areas, unlike wooden doors.
Key Differences Between WPC and Wooden Doors
The “Natural Wood” charm comes with hidden costs that WPC eliminates:
- The Seasonal Struggle: In India, every season change means your wooden door might start sticking to the frame. You often have to hire a carpenter to shave off the edges so it can close. WPC is “Dimensionally Stable”—it never expands or shrinks, regardless of the season.
- The Polish Trap: Wooden doors need a fresh coat of polish every few years to prevent them from looking dull. This polish is easily scratched and fades fast in the steam of a bathroom. WPC comes with built-in colors or UV-protected finishes that stay new for decades without maintenance.
- Rotting from the Bottom: Since bathroom floors are often wet, the bottom of a wooden door absorbs water constantly. Once the bottom rots, the internal strength of the door is gone, and the wood begins to crumble. WPC can stay submerged in water forever without any loss of strength.
Comparison Table: WPC vs Wooden Bathroom Doors
| Feature | WPC Doors | Wooden Doors |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | ✅ 100% waterproof | ❌ Not waterproof |
| Expansion/Contraction | ✅ No expansion | ❌ Expands & contracts |
| Bottom Damage | ✅ No damage | ❌ Bottom swells easily |
| Termite Resistance | ✅ Termite proof | ❌ Termite risk |
| Maintenance | ✅ Zero maintenance | ❌ High maintenance |
| Polish/Paint | ❌ Not required | ❌ Needs every 3–4 years |
| Screw Holding | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good initially |
| Design Options | ✅ UV prints, CNC, colors | ❌ Limited to polish/paint |
| Lifespan in Bathroom | ✅ 15–20 years | ❌ 3–6 years |
| Cost Over Time | ✅ Low | ❌ Very high |
Which Door Is Best for Bathrooms?
For Indian bathrooms where doors face daily water splashes, steam, and temperature changes, wooden doors struggle to survive without constant maintenance.
WPC doors are:
- Waterproof
- Stable in all seasons
- Maintenance-free
- Termite-proof
- More economical in the long run
Final Verdict
Wooden doors may be natural and premium, but they are not practical for bathrooms. Continuous expansion, fading polish, bottom damage, and repeated carpenter visits make wooden doors a high-maintenance and costly choice.
If you want a door that looks like wood but performs better, WPC doors are the smartest investment for bathrooms in 2026.
👉 Explore Our Collection: https://brightdoors.in/wpc-bathroom-doors
FAQ
Are wooden doors good for bathrooms?
Not recommended. Wooden doors absorb moisture, expand, and require frequent maintenance.
Do wooden doors really last longer than WPC doors?
WPC doors last 10–15 years, while wooden doors often fail within 5–7 years.
How long do wooden doors actually last in bathrooms?
5-7 years typically, much shorter than in dry areas (20-30 years). Bathroom moisture accelerates all deterioration—bottom rot, polish damage, fungal growth, termite attacks. Most wooden bathroom doors need major repairs by year 7 and complete replacement by year 10-12.
Why do wooden doors expand and contract with seasons in India?
Wood is a natural material that absorbs and releases moisture based on humidity. In monsoon (high humidity), wood absorbs moisture and expands. In summer (low humidity), wood loses moisture and contracts. This continuous cycle causes doors to swell tight in monsoon and develop gaps in summer.
What happens when a wooden door’s bottom gets damaged in bathrooms?
Once the bottom edge absorbs water, the wood swells and softens. This creates:
• Bottom rot (wood becomes spongy)
• Internal strength loss (door structure weakens)
• Entry point for termites
• Fungal growth (health hazard)
• Progressive damage upward (can’t be stopped)
Critical: Once bottom damage starts, the door’s structural integrity is permanently compromised.
Do wooden doors really need repolishing every 3-4 years?
Yes, absolutely. Wooden door polish deteriorates due to daily use, scratches, sunlight exposure, and humidity. By year 3-4, the polish becomes dull, scratched, and faded. Without repolishing, the door looks aged and shabby. Each repolishing costs ₹3,000-6,000 and takes 3-5 days.
How often do wooden doors need maintenance?
Usually every 2–4 years for polish or repainting, plus trimming due to swelling.
Why do my wooden doors get tight during monsoon?
Wood naturally absorbs moisture from humid air, expanding across the grain. When the door swells, it rubs the frame and becomes hard to close. WPC does not absorb moisture, so it stays the same size.
Will WPC doors expand and contract like wooden doors?
No, zero expansion or contraction. WPC is dimensionally stable—it doesn’t react to humidity changes. The door maintains exact dimensions in summer, monsoon, and winter. No seasonal fitting issues, no carpenter adjustments needed.
Are WPC doors completely waterproof or just water-resistant like wood?
100% waterproof throughout the entire structure. Unlike wood which absorbs moisture, WPC’s polymer content makes it completely impervious to water. The bottom can be in continuous water contact—no swelling, no damage, no rot.
Do WPC doors look as good as real wooden doors?
Modern WPC doors are virtually indistinguishable from real wood. Advanced UV digital printing creates authentic wood grain textures with realistic 3D depth. Most visitors can’t tell the difference. Plus, WPC maintains this appearance for 15-25 years, while wooden polish fades and scratches within 3-4 years.
Will WPC doors develop fungus or mold in bathrooms like wooden doors?
No, WPC is 100% fungus and mold-proof. Fungus grows on damp wood because it’s organic material. WPC’s polymer content makes it non-organic, so fungus cannot grow on it even in extremely humid bathroom conditions.
Can I paint WPC doors if I want to change the color?
Yes of-course. WPC doors come with plain (no design) as well as UV-printed designs that last 15-25 years.
Can I install WPC doors in existing wooden door frames?
Yes, absolutely. WPC doors fit standard door frames just like wooden doors. Any carpenter can install them using normal hinges and hardware. The installation process is actually easier than heavy solid wooden doors.
Do WPC doors come in custom sizes like wooden doors?
Yes, all Bright Doors WPC doors are made to order in custom sizes. Just provide your exact measurements, and we’ll manufacture the door to fit perfectly. No need to adjust your door frame.
Does Bright Doors deliver WPC doors across India?
Yes, free delivery to:
• All metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata)
• Tier 2 cities across India
• Remote locations (delivery timeline may vary)
📞 Contact us for delivery details: WhatsApp +91 6366699020
