Measuring a door frame correctly is essential for a replacement door. Accurate door measurements ensure a perfect fit that will not only flow with your home’s aesthetic but also help keep it secure and energy efficient.
Measuring for new door installation is typically done by a contractor, but if you’re the DIY type, these door measurement tips will help you learn how to measure interior doors as well as your front door.
Importance of Precise Door Measurements
Getting precision measurements is important when you plan to install a new door. It needs to fit in the door frame and be able to function accordingly. This can’t happen if you don’t ensure that you have the right measurements.
Gaps in the door jamb can create security issues. They can also allow for drafts, which compromise your home’s energy efficiency. It should also go without saying that when you don’t measure a door properly or account for how a door opens or closes, it can detract from your curb appeal.
Tools Required for Measuring a Door
When you’re ready to measure, make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need a measuring tape and a level, though you can get more precise measurements with a laser distance measurer if you have one. You’ll also want a notebook and a pencil to write down these measurements.
Step-by-Step Process on How to Measure a Door
Ready to learn how to measure door size? These tips will help:
1. Measure Door Height
Take your tape measure and use it to measure the height of the door. You will take measurements in the center of the door and near both the left and right sides of the door. The tallest measurement is the one you should record in your notebook. When measuring, make sure you don’t include the door sweep in these calculations.
2. Door Width Measurements
Just as you did with the height, measure the width in three places. You’ll do it near the top, middle, and bottom, on the inside and outside of the door. Record the widest of these measurements for your width.
3. Measure Door Thickness
You can measure door thickness by opening the door. Most interior doors will be 1 ⅜ inches, while exterior doors will have a thickness of 1 ¾ inches.
4. Determine Door Swing
Door swing involves left-hand or right-hand as well as inswing or outswing. You’ll stand with the door open and with your back against the door hinges. Move your arm to copy the path that the door swings. If you use your right arm, it’s considered the right hand. If your arm enters your home or the room, it’s considered an inswing.
Extra Steps for Entire Door System Replacement
If you’re replacing the entire door unit, including the door frame and door jamb, there are a few extra things to remember. You’ll need to remove the trim from one side of the door jamb, then measure the door jamb width from the outside edge to the outside edge of the other side.
You’ll then measure the depth of the door frame from the inside edge to the outside edge. Make sure you exclude any trim or molding from these numbers. If this is an exterior door, measure from the bottom of your threshold to the top edge of the door jamb positioned horizontally.
On an interior door, measure from the floor to the top edge of your door jamb. Don’t forget to measure the depth of the side door jamb, done from the interior to exterior edge, minus any interior trim. You’ll be left with the thickness of the wall without trim or siding.
Putting in a replacement door when you’re doing the whole entire unit can be a lot more complicated, especially if it’s an exterior door. It involves removing the door slab and other steps that may be more complicated. When simply replacing your existing door with a new one inside your home, it may be much easier.
Plenty of homeowners hire a professional to take this task on to ensure the doors fit properly in place. It may not bother you if you have a door that’s a little off-kilter inside your home. However, if it’s at your entry, you want it to be installed with precision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the handiest person can make mistakes when measuring a door for size. Here’s what you should avoid:
Forgetting About the Rough Opening
There’s a space inside the door frame that measures from stud to stud, known as the rough opening. You need to factor this into ensuring your new door frame fits in there just right.
Overlooking Trim and Flooring
Trim will add overall dimensions to your frame, so be sure to measure accordingly. As for your flooring, if you’re also adding new floors to your home, remember that it can change the height in your opening area. This may leave too large a gap, or make it a struggle to open and close the door as it scrapes along the bottom.
Not Measuring Twice
Whether it’s your front door, bathroom door, or any single door in your home, make sure you take your measurements twice and compare. Follow the instructions above for measuring the door, then do it again to make sure your numbers are accurate.
Missing the Depth
If you don’t get the depth of the jamb, the frame won’t align right with the wall and trim.
Not Considering Door Swing
The door swing is important to factor in when measuring your door. If you fail to consider it, you may wind up with a door that blocks off your hallway or constantly hits your family. Along with the swing, make sure there’s enough space for the hinges, handles, and hardware. Many people make this mistake and wind up with a doorknob-sized hole in the wall.
Using the Wrong Tools
When it’s time for a replacement door, don’t do things with the wrong tools. That will only cause more trouble for you in the long run. If you use a flimsy tape measure, it may lead to inaccurate measurements, which will ultimately mess up your entire project.
How a Professional Can Help
Door size is just one factor that goes into installing your dream door. You may have other questions or needs, such as what types of weatherstripping for exterior doors should be used or how to insulate a front door for winter. That’s where Pinnacle Home Improvements can come in and ensure a seamless process in door replacement.
We have the right tools to determine the proper door size from door width to height and can recommend door options to give your home the look you love. In particular, your front door is that welcoming area that greets you every day that you come home and creates an inviting feel when friends and family stop by. Make sure that it has that prestigious look to match your home while closing securely to give you full peace of mind.
Whether you need doors of standard sizes or you’re looking for a custom fit for your house, our professionals will help you find exactly what you need. Contact us today to get started on your door replacement.
