When you’re in the market for new doors for your home, considering door sizes is the first thing that needs to be on your mind. Door frame sizes vary from one house to the next, and the door width in your home might be completely different compared to your neighbors. For that reason, you’ll have to make sure your measurements are spot on.
Standard Door Size
A very common question that people have about doors is what the standard door sizes are. Many door installers have a difficult time answering this question because there really isn’t a standard size for every single door entryway in every home. In most American homes, you’ll see the front doors ranging in size from 30 inches to 96 inches high. The thickness of the door all depends on the material that is used to manufacture it.
If you’re considering getting an entry door, you can get either single or double-door configurations that come with additional options such as:
- Matching sidelights
- Transoms
The additional options you get for your door can have an impact on the size of your door. If you live in an older home, there is a good chance that your entry door isn’t the standard door size that is found in many of the more modern homes. You’ll want to measure your door properly so that you know what type of door to get. Always contact a professional to ensure that your measurements are accurate. No one wants to be making the wrong measurements and then purchasing the wrong door based on those incorrect measurements. A professional will be able to further inform you on related things such as:
- Material of the door
- Hardware for the door
- Locking mechanisms
- Sidelights
- Transoms
- Any extras
Door Frame Sizes
If you’re not including the frame in the measurements, a door panel will measure from 36 to 80 inches. The measurements will be more than that if you include the frame. Your rough opening will be nearly an inch wider and about 3/8 higher than the door frame. The wall cladding will be about half of an inch wider and a quarter of an inch higher than the door installation fin.
A common size for a door is around 3 feet by almost 7 feet. The actual dimensions might vary from one house to the next and all depend on how the door will be installed and how deep your walls are.
Entry Door Sizes
When people are thinking about exterior door sizes, they always wonder how big the actual door should be. If you only have a single door right now, sometimes upgrading to a double door can have your house looking more unique and luxurious. A small increase in door size will have your home feeling open and large whenever family members or guests visit you. It also makes it a lot easier to transport groceries and furniture into your home.
There are a few things you need to think about if you’re wanting to get a bigger door. The first thing you’ll want to keep in mind is how big your entryway or foyer is in your house. Double doors might look great, but if your home has an extremely small entryway, it might cause the entrance to appear a bit cramped.
Another thing to think about is the depth of your walls near the entrance of your home. Some questions you’ll want to ask yourself are:
- Will the wall be deep enough if I want to get a bigger door?
- Will things get too cramped with a double door?
- Do I have enough space between the entryway and my stairs?
Selecting The Right Doors
There are also other things to think about when you’re wanting to get a different entry door. You’ll want to take a step back and analyze the overall design characteristics of your home. You have many different choices for styles of entry-level doors:
- You can go with a wood-paneled door
- Modern doors
- Doors with decorative glass
- Doors with grids
- You can get sidelights on your doors
- Transoms
You’ll always want to keep your budget in mind when you’re selecting your door. The entry door is the first thing that people see when they step up to your home, and because of that, it’s the first impression that people have. This can have a tremendous impact on the aesthetic appeal of your home, so it’s not something that you’ll want to jump the gun on. Think about all of the different styles of doors you can get. Consider visiting a showroom to see what the doors and door hardware will look like in person.
You’ll want to select a door that has you feeling warm and comfortable. No one wants to choose a door that is an eyesore whenever they walk into their own home.