The door to your home unlocks your world—your safe haven and a place where memories are made. From the front to all the doors inside, they serve a function as well as exude an aesthetic. Whether replacing exterior doors or interior doors, knowing the size ensures a seamless fit and ease of opening and closing. In the United States, common door dimensions are used as a standard.
The dimensions of standard doors play a role in what you’ll choose. However, some homeowners may want to go beyond the typical door width as they plan to age in place or to create a custom style. Follow this handy guide by Pinnacle Home Improvements, the home improvement contractors who can help you fall in love with your home all over again, and you’ll learn everything you need to know about sizes for your new doors.
The Concept of Standard Door Sizes and Why They Matter
You probably walk in through your entry door several times a day or through your bathroom doors without much thought. Standard interior doors as well as exterior doors matter because they allow for an easy and cost-efficient way to replace doors in and around a home.
You can certainly have custom doors made, though they will cost more because they’re different from the available door sizes that are readily available. A standard door will fit flush with the frame and reduce the chances for intrusion, both from criminals and the elements.
Standard Door Size USA
Standard Door Width
The standard door width that’s used most commonly in the U.S. is 36 inches. It’s also possible to easily find sizes that measure 30 or 32 inches, though 36 is considered the standard door width available for homes.
Standard Interior Door Width
Standard interior door width is anywhere from 28 to 32 inches.
Standard Door Height for Interior Doors
Building codes usually require that door height be a minimum of 80 inches to fit the standard interior door size. Some may allow for 78-inch doors, though doors that are 80 inches tall measure 6 feet and 8 inches tall. If you’ve heard the term “6/8 doors,” this is the reason. As for a 78-inch door rather than one that’s 80 inches tall, that would be a “6/6 door.”
Standard Exterior Door Width
Exterior door sizes can be much larger than interior ones, but their width is most often 36 inches. If you prefer exterior doors that are smaller than 36 inches wide, there are standard sizes in 30 inches wide or even 32 inches wide.
Standard Exterior Door Height
Door sizes for the exterior of your home to serve as your entry door are required to have a minimum height of 80 inches. You can also find them up to 96 inches in standard door sizes. With a custom door, you can make it taller as well as exceed the standard door width to suit your tastes.
Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding glass doors are common for patio doors, and their standard sizes are typically in height. The width often varies due to the designs of each home. Builders often ensure sliding glass doors are standard size, making it much easier to find a replacement if you ever need one.
The height of sliding glass doors is usually set at 80 inches. Widths for these doors can range from 60 to 72 inches. You may also need multiple panels that are different from the standard of two panels, and that would allow you to go wider to accommodate the door opening.
French Door Sizes
Door sizes for French doors vary depending on the rough opening, and they require getting the right measurements to make sure they fit. The standard door width for this style of double doors has a range. Excluding the door frame, each one can be between 30 and 72 inches wide.
Closet Doors
Closet doors are typically smaller than other doors. In older homes that were constructed before the 1990s, the doors may be very narrow at 18 inches. Newer homes make these closet doors more generously sized with a width of 30 inches. As for height, they may be up to 96 inches.
Differences in Door Sizes and Door Measurements for Residential vs Commercial Applications
You may have noticed that doors in commercial buildings are very different from the doors you have at home. One of the biggest reasons is that commercial properties are required to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which allows accessibility.
The size of the door for residential properties will be smaller, while commercial properties will have larger, thicker, and more durable doors that also have fire resistance. Residential doors are also more focused on making things more beautiful and easy for daily use, while commercial doors have a more utilitarian purpose.
How to Measure a Door Effectively to Fit Perfectly
Whether you need a new door for your entry or want to upgrade your bathroom doors, you need to know how to measure door size. You should never simply assume that your door sizes are standard. While standard interior door size may be uniform, you may find exterior doors on your home aren’t the typical size.
Especially for double doors, you’ll want to make sure you measure across the frame and take the widest measurement from the top, middle, and bottom. The height is measured from the top of the door panel to the bottom edge of the door.
How Pinnacle Home Improvements Ensures a Proper Fit
Most doors for homes will be a standard 36 inches in size. When choosing doors, especially for the outside, curb appeal may be a factor too. You may want to go wider or taller, or you may want your doors to fit properly right in the space that’s already there.
There are other concerns you may have such as wanting a door to swing open, or having one that’s slightly smaller than the common width. Renovations for homes often forgo the most common size at the entry and go with a statement piece instead, one that lets in natural light through glass panels or taller doors. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to choose a thicker door at the entry as well to promote greater privacy.
For all these concerns and more, Pinnacle Home Improvements can help you find the right doors for your home and expertly install them. If you want to know how to insulate a front door for winter or learn about types of weatherstripping for exterior doors, we can help with that too.
New doors may make all the difference in the appearance of your home. Whether you want to replace them for interior rooms or choose a new front door, you’ll have the guidance of our professionals who diligently uphold craftsmanship in everything they do.
Go with a fiberglass door or make your front door stand out with stained glass panels that bring more light into your entry. It’s your home—make it have the regal look it deserves from the moment you open the door.
