When it comes to hone renovation, getting it right the first time is essential. Measure twice, cut once, as they say—or rather, measure twice, buy once! There’s nothing more embarrassing than getting a door all the way home and then realizing it doesn’t fit. There can be quite a few variations to door size, and some might seem slight to the average user. What the average homeowner needs is standard exterior door sizes explained from top to bottom in a straightforward manner.
How Doors are Measured
To check the measurement of any door, measure inside the frame. An accurate assessment is needed to properly fit a door. For width, measure three times inside the frame at the top, middle, and bottom. This will determine the width and reveal any discrepancies due to shifting from age. Measure the height from both sides of the inside of the frame. Be sure to line the tape measure up level inside the frame where the door will sit. Keeping the tape measure lined up is crucial; errors could lead to doubt and confusion down the line.
Standard Door Heights
For the most part, exterior doors come in standard sizes. Most available on the market conform to strict measurements, so the chances of getting something wildly off are slim. For the most there are only four sizes to choose from when it comes to height. Primarily these choices reflect style or age of a house and generally are a matter of preference.
80 INCH HEIGHT
This is the standard height at which most doors are manufactured. Eighty inches clocks in right about 6.6 feet, making it a comfortable entryway the average will find convenient. As this is the standard for interior doors as well, there are often quite a few choices in style and color. 80 inch doors are available, affordable, and can range from simple to ornate.
82 INCH HEIGHT
The next most common height of exterior door is 82 inches. This comes out to about 6.8 feet. Again, this is a comfortable height for most, with just a little extra head room for taller family members and guests. This is our most common size at Nick’s Building Supply. We offer a beautiful selection of exterior and interior doors pre-hung and ready for installation.
84 INCH HEIGHT
The next size is more of a specialty selection. This comes to exactly seven feet in height. Few homes feature doors of this height, but installing one can be quite impressive. The frame’s height will allow everyone but the tallest person in the family to pass with ample head room. Doors this tall definitely can be a statement piece and leave an imposing impression.
96 INCH HEIGHT
The final height is completely a specialty selection. Coming in at 8 feet tall, these doorways leave enough room for everyone and then some. Doors this tall give a fantastical impression, as though they belong in a cathedral with vaulted ceilings. Installing a door this size can be a fun prospect, and an interesting way to change the look of a house.
Standard Door Widths
The next measurement to understand is width. As with height, most doors are manufactured to standard. This makes choosing one for your home much easier. Width options are a little simpler, with only three standard sizes. Variations tend more towards utilitarian goals, such as accessibility for people with disabilities. There’s not much of a statement to be said for wide doorways, besides being considerate to visitors of all walks of life.
30 INCH WIDTH
The vast majority of all doorways follow this measurement. It’s wide enough for most shoulders and elbows to pass through easily. Most doors are this width, save for newer homes with doors built for accessibility.
32 INCH WIDTH
This size is a slight variation on the 30 inch width. Primary this option is stylistic or available as a slight space maker. The two-inch difference is noticeable but not so much as to be distracting. Guests will appreciate the extra elbow room, and it can be a nice touch to have wider entryways.
36 INCH WIDTH
The final standard width variation is noticeably wider than the previous two. This goes beyond aesthetic and instead is utilitarian. The extra couple of inches in this option exist to make entryways more accessible for individuals with disabilities. Wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility assistant tools typically are a little wider than the average person’s shoulders and hips. As such, the extra width makes all the difference for disabled people to pass through without struggle.
Unusual Measurements
Aside from basic doors, there are a few common but more expressive types of door sizes. Besides just single doors, Nick’s Building Supplies also offers a wide assortment of options to make any entryway impressive and beautiful. A few options include unusual shapes such as antiquated rounded doors, single and double window panels along the door frame, and even double doors. These options have all unique measurements to take into consideration. The extra effort, however, is well worth the amazing results. It’ll make the façade of any home stunning.
EXTERIOR DOUBLE DOORS 80×60, 72, 96
Double doors are a highly impressive upgrade to any house. The doors in these options tend to be the same 80 inches by 30 to 36 inches. However, as there are two doors side by side, the frame is a more unusual shape. Typically, a double door with be measured at 80 by 60, 72, or 96 inches as per the normal widths of each standard door.
SIDELIGHT DOORS
Another exceptional measurement is a single door with extended frame that includes a sidelight. As with double doors, the door tends to be a standard size, but the frame will add an additional measurement of around 9 to 11 inches on either or both sides of the door.
Finally, all standard door sizes explained simply. It’s our hope at Nick’s Building Supply that this reference will serve many future customers in selecting from our solid wood doors online with total confidence.
