Interior doors can have different dimensions, starting from small wide doors to double- or triple-panelled wide doors. This complete guide will help you check the opening sizes before you install the door. This will help ensure the frame and door fit well in the doorway.
In a nutshell, the key points are the following:
Standard door widths come in various sizes for both interior and exterior use. Other key dimensions to think about are door opening, door panel size, and frame size. When measuring, remember that the door frame and door panel depend on each other.
Advantages of Overall Measurement
Cost and cost-effectiveness speak in favour of fitting door openings (including frames) for standard sizes for interior doors. One great advantage of that is to allow simple replacement during renovation or redesign of living space. This can definitely be problematic with non-standard doors since must be ordered precisely for installation. The cost plays an important factor here also. The manufacturing process benefits from standard door sizes, as it enables optimized and standardized production, reducing costs and material waste. The way interior doors open, either right-hand or left-hand, impacts costs from manufacturers.
What is the Standard Width for Doors?
Most doors in residential settings follow standard door sizes and dimensions, with the average door size typically being 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. Standard door sizes and standard door dimensions are designed to ensure a proper fit, compatibility with existing frames and rough openings, and compliance with local building codes.
Understanding standard door sizes and taking accurate door measurements is crucial for selecting the right door size, whether you are replacing an existing door or installing a new door. Door sizes can vary depending on the type of door, room, and function, so it’s important to measure the width and height at the widest point of the rough opening and consider the door jamb and existing frame for a proper fit.
Interior Doors
Passage Doors: The standard width for an interior passage door is 32 inches, but most interior doors are 80 inches tall, which is the standard door height for most interior doors. The minimum width for a passage door is required for all doors, and local building codes may specify a minimum clear width for accessibility, especially in commercial or public buildings.
Bathroom doors and closet doors may have different standard sizes, and door sizes can vary depending on the room and function. Standard thickness for interior doors is typically 1 3/8 inches, which helps ensure better insulation and energy efficiency.
Most interior doors are designed to fit standard size openings, but custom doors may be required for non-standard or unique layouts.
Wider Interior Doors:
36-inch-wide doors are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are considered wider doors. They improve traffic flow and accessibility, making them popular choices for homes whose residents have mobility issues, or for homeowners who are planning to age in place. Wider doors are often chosen for a grand entrance or to accommodate larger items, and feature doors such as double doors can further enhance both aesthetics and traffic flow.
Exterior Doors
Exterior doors , especially front doors, are usually 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall, making them typically larger than most interior doors. Front doors serve as feature doors and are often designed to enhance curb appeal, energy efficiency, and security. They may include glass panels to allow natural light into the entryway. Larger, roomier homes or custom-built houses may have doors that measure as much as 42 inches across or more.
Double doors are a popular choice for creating a grand entrance in both residential and commercial buildings. When door shopping for exterior doors, consider the right door size, color scheme, and style to match your home’s architecture and coordinate with other windows and doors for a cohesive look.
Sliding Doors
The width of the sliding glass doors is variable. The standard door dimensions for a sliding glass door are typically 72 inches wide and 80 inches tall to fit two glass panels (one fixed and one sliding). They can also come in a 60-inch width for narrower sliding glass doors or reach 96 inches or greater to fill large openings. Sliding glass doors are often chosen for their ability to bring in natural light, improve energy efficiency, and provide better insulation when made with the right materials.
French Doors
The width of each door in French door pairs ranges between 30 and 72 inches. French doors can be customized to fit larger or smaller openings, and proper fit is essential for both aesthetics and functionality. Feature doors such as double doors or wider doors can create a grand entrance and improve both aesthetics and traffic flow, while smaller doors may be suitable for cozy spaces or specific design styles, provided the minimum clear width is maintained for accessibility.
There are many types of doors available, including passage doors, bathroom doors, closet doors, sliding glass doors, French doors, double doors, and feature doors. Each type comes in standard sizes and materials, and their use cases vary depending on the needs of the space, desired energy efficiency, natural light, and overall design. Choosing the right door size, color scheme, and style will help create a cohesive look and enhance the functionality and appeal of your home’s windows and doors.
How to Measure for a Properly Fitting Interior Door
It is essential to take accurate door measurements—including width, height, and thickness—before installing the door frame. Usually, the door frame and door panel are ordered simultaneously. As long as the frame is installed properly, the door panel will generally turn out well. If there is already an existing frame, you only need to order the door panel replacement. You will need to measure the existing door. When measuring, be sure to measure the width at multiple points, especially at the widest point, to ensure a proper fit. It is very important to keep an eye on the overlap dimensions and thickness of the door. Do not forget to measure these areas.
Additionally, check the existing door and existing frame, and measure the rough opening and door jamb to select the right door size. Accurate measurements of the rough opening and door jamb are essential for choosing the right door size and achieving a proper fit. Otherwise, your interior door may not fit perfectly. Grandsea strongly recommends contacting our experts before measuring, as we have been engaged in interior door production for many years, and your worries are nothing more than ordinary, what experts see.
Special-Sized Interior Doors
If your measurements don’t match standard sizes above then you’ll need non-standard interior doors. This is usually required when you’re renovating an older building and you require new doors. Older buildings don’t generally have standardised door size openings, so you need a product that is outside convention sizes. This is also sometimes necessary for designer homes, which make use of non-standard door openings and widths. Certain manufacturers provide non-standard sizes on demand.
Which Room Fits Which Size?
Standard doors can be installed in various rooms like closets, bathrooms, living rooms, and basements. Bathroom doors and closet doors often have their own standard sizes, which may be smaller than typical passage doors. The right door size will vary depending on the room’s function and available space—smaller doors can be suitable for cozy areas or specific design styles. There are also different types of doors commonly used in various rooms, such as sliding, swinging, or bifold doors, each offering unique benefits for functionality and aesthetics. Door height should align with the height of the room visually.
Other Door Width Sizes for Different Uses
For wheelchair access in an apartment or house, we recommend a door width of at least 39 inches (or 985 mm). This ensures comfortable access. Local building codes often specify the minimum clear width required for accessible doorways, especially in public and commercial buildings, to comply with the disabilities act. Some wheelchairs are 50 inches (1270 mm) wide, so wider doors are recommended to improve traffic flow and accommodate wheelchairs or strollers. This means special sizes may be needed.
Daycare centers, practice rooms, and public buildings often have standard door widths that might not work. When selecting the right door size for your current door opening, it is essential to meet accessibility standards and ensure compliance. Outside of private purposes, choose the sizes that could allow for an easy entrance with strollers and wheelchairs and optimise wall openings well in advance.
What is the Recommended Height for Interior Doors?
The height of the room is an important aspect when deciding on the height of the door. Aesthetically, the door’s size should coordinate to the height of the room. For most interior doors, the standard door height is 80 inches tall, which is widely used in residential construction. This standard measurement of 80 inches ensures compatibility with most frames and openings. Additionally, the standard thickness for interior doors is typically 1 3/8 inches, which ensures compatibility with most frames and hardware. You might need taller doors in some cases. For example, if you plan to use the room as a workshop or move larger items in and out frequently.
How Do Measurements Impact Door Costs?
Generally speaking, the larger and wider the room doors, the more expensive they are. When door shopping, understanding standard door sizes is essential for efficient selection and cost savings. Selecting the right door size from standard sizes is typically more cost-effective than ordering custom doors, which are usually necessary only for unique layouts or non-standard openings and can increase both cost and complexity. By understanding standard door sizes, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure a smoother installation process. People have high expectations for custom products. Keep this in mind when renovating or building new buildings.
Choosing a reliable door manufacturer is also very important, and responsible manufacturers will detail the configurations of bespoke doors and windows so that you can see every expense.
