Standard Front Door Size

What Is The Standard Front Door Size?

36 inches wide by 80 inches tall is the most common measurement for residential front doors today. This amount of width will provide sufficient clearance for the flow of traffic and even moving larger items on through. Older homes typically feature smaller and more restricted entryways, oftentimes coming with narrower door slabs.

While those smaller dimensions were once quite popular, the 36-inch width has since become the industry benchmark for modern doors. The standard height of 80 inches translates to 6 feet 8 inches. This measurement is consistent across the majority of single-entry doors.

Door thickness is also standardized, and it typically measures 1-3/4 inches. This is crucial for structural integrity and the overall security of the door. There are some slightly thicker customized doors out there. This can enhance the door’s durability and insulation. Some manufacturers today offer taller doors, between 84-96 inches.

Rough Opening Vs Slab Size

It’s important to be able to distinguish between the rough opening dimension and the door slab size. The door slab simply refers to the moving part of the door itself. The rough opening, meanwhile, is the framed, unfinished hole found in the wall. This piece is intended to receive the entire door unit.

The complete door unit will feature the frame, door slab, and attached side jambs. The rough opening needs to be bigger than the entire unit, ensuring proper installation. A good rule of thumb is that the rough opening needs to be about 2 inches wider and at least 2 inches taller than the door slab’s average size.

The intentional excess space will not be wasted, as it will accommodate the thickness of the door jambs. It will also provide the much-needed clearance to insert the full unit. Gaps will then be filled with shims, allowing for the installers for precise plumb, level, and square your door frame within the wall.

Other Non-Standard Door Configurations

While the aforementioned 36-inch by 80-inch single entry door is the most common design, some homes may use configurations that ultimately deviate from the standard measurement. For example, some homeowners may choose to install two operational door slabs, designed to create a grand entrance appeal. These doors typically come in total widths of 60-72 inches.

The total widths are created by using two individual door slabs. This is designed to appropriately fill a much wider entrance way. Today, the popularity of modern and custom home designs continue to rise. This has led to more and more extra tall door installations.

The taller doors emphasize vertically and can completely alter the scale of an entryway. For accessibility, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) currently requires a minimum clear width of 32 inches when the door is opened to 90 degrees.

How To Measure Your Front Door

The size of an exterior door impacts far more than just aesthetics. Exterior door size undoubtedly impacts safety and functionality, as well. A door that is too small may end up letting drafts in the house. A door that’s too big, meanwhile, won’t fit the frame properly.

Measuring the door isn’t simply about the slab itself, this also includes the frame and surrounding area. Measuring the door accurately can ultimately enhance your home’s comfort and overall value.

Now that you understand the importance of accurate door measurements and have gathered the necessary materials, follow these DIY steps below.

For this task, there are a few items you’ll need to gather:

• Tape measure.
• Step ladder (for larger doors).
• A level.
• Pen, notepad, or phone to record the measurements.

Step 1. Measure The Door’s Width

• Begin by measuring the exterior door frame’s width.
• Do this by opening the door and placing the tape measure at the inside edge of one side of the frame.
• Extend the tape measure to the opposite side.
• Take three different measurements at the top, middle, and bottom.
• Many older homes will feature uneven frames.
• Record the smallest number as this ensures the new door will fit within its narrowest point.

Step 2. Measure The Door’s Height

• Measure the height of the door by putting the tape measure on the floor to the top of the frame’s interior.
• Take three measurements from the left, right, and center.
• Again, use the smallest number here.
• This step is important because many times the floors or headers may be uneven.
• The average door height is 80 inches, but custom sizes can alter this measurement.

Step 3. Measure The Door’s Depth

• Do not overlook the depth or jamb width of the door.
• Measure the thickness of the wall where the door will be positioned, from the interior trim to the exterior edge.
• Average depths will be between 4.5-6.5 inches, ultimately varying based on the construction of the wall.

Entry Doors In Scottsdale, AZ

Victory Metal Works is Arizona’s leading manufacturer of custom wrought iron Transom doors in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and the Greater Phoenix area. Transoms are a small detail windows above doors or windows with many benefits. View below to choose one of our many iron entry doors with transoms that we’ve completed for previous clients or you can work with our in-house designer to come up with your own custom designed iron entry door with transoms. Give us a call today to discuss your project 480-584-6220.