A front door is more than a door, it’s the first impression of your home. There isn’t a standard front door size for US living spaces. Door size varies depending on the shape, elements, and other features of a door.

You can have your door custom-designed to fit your home, like barn doors, for example, or office doors. Contractors and builders adhere to the International Residential Code (IRC) on standard exterior door size. According to your location, rules and restrictions will apply to the minimum width and color of your door.

Except for stock exterior doors, not all doors have the same form and size. Standard door sizes start at 36 inches wide, with an average height of 80 inches tall. The thickness of the door is 2 inches, on average.

Double doors are a separate matter. Meanwhile, bathroom doors, bi-fold doors, closet doors, bedroom doors, and bathroom doors will be smaller and lighter in weight.

History Of The Front Door

The door has come a long way since the Greek scholar Heron of Alexandria created the first automatic door in 1 AD. Before the advent of air conditioning, older homes had double doors. The interior doors helped with natural light and ventilation during the summer months.

In 1954, Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt invented the first sliding glass door. The invention changed how Americans accessed their backyard space.In 1990, the American Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated the minimum widths for commercial and residential interior doors sizes should be 32 inches wide when opened to 90 degrees. Since then, door frames, interior doors, and exterior doors are the same.

Fiberglass Doors vs Wood Doors vs Steel Doors

In the world of exterior entryways, there are three main players – fiberglass, wood, and steel. Here, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both doors.

If you’re wrapped up in a new project that’s time-consuming and can’t decide on an interior door or front door, or maybe you’re having problems finding a door frame, below are a few things that should make your life easier.

Fiberglass Door

Pros

No shrinkage – the door will not change shape in the long-term and keep its original form.Durable- the door can withstand hot and cold climates and can last upward of 20 years.Insulation foam – a fiberglass door has an R-6 rating, while a wood door has an R-2 rating.Rust-free – the door will not rust or mold.Insulation – a fiberglass-clad entry door has a high thermal resistance.

Cons

Maintenance – Every 5 years the door will need a new coat of gel. If left untreated, airborne fibers could cause problems for those with asthma. You would also have to replace the door frame if mold set in.

Wood Doors

Pros

Aesthetic – it’s about that traditional down home look.Appearance – nothing beats a stained or painted exterior door with a rustic door frame.

Cons

Expensive – a pre-finished wood door costs between $2,500 and $4,000, and that doesn’t include the door frame.Not Energy-efficient – a wood door absorbs moisture, which causes mold and can also impact the door frame.Maintenance – a wood door bends and warps after it’s exposed to harsh weather conditions and can’t maintain its original form. If it warps too much the door frame could also experience damage.

Metal Doors

Pros

Energy-efficient – a steel door has the best insulation and saves on heating expenses in the long term. Security – offers greater protection from unwanted intruders.

Cons

Dents – the doors can dent easily.Rust – the door will have rust issues in the long term.

Standard Entry Doors

Most front entry doors are larger than necessary. The most common door size is 36 inches wide by 80 inches tall, and almost 2 inches thick.

For custom door orders, you’ll need to know the door size, height, and door width. Anything below 32 inches won’t work. Plus, you’ll need to find the right door frame for your entry door.

The reason is that an entry door that’s 80 inches tall is big enough to accommodate people of all sizes, and 36 inches will allow you to move through the door. The door size also allows you to move appliances with widths up to 36 inches.

Double Doors

Although there is a standard exterior door size, that doesn’t mean all doors are the same. Door manufacturers follow the Disabilities Act guidelines and apply the standard door thickness, door widths, and door heights. The elegant door frame offers a signature touch.

Standard Entry Door Measurements

While the most common width for a front entryway is 36 inches, smaller custom doors vary depending on the living space, height and width. However, you can increase the door size with a greater width, unless you are adding double doors.

The average door height is 80 inches, which is 6’6 feet.

Custom Exterior Doors

If you’re designing your new home and wanted to make a statement, a custom door would be a good idea. You want to make a good first impression among your neighbors, so let your entry way door define your personality.

Here are a few door ideas for inspiration:

French Doors

Double doors, otherwise known as French doors, are common in large homes, and so are barn doors. To install them, a double door frame is necessary as well. If you want a single large door, find a matching door frame if you have enough width and height. But French doors are known for their long-lasting qualities, so once you get them, they’ll be with you for a long time.

Interior double door sizes have common widths of 60”, 64” and 72”.

Barn Doors

The modern farmhouse look is in, so why not go all the way and install a barn door? It may seem extreme, but barn doors offer a form of security protection better than any door. This would be good a project for a new home and would require professional help and extra equipment, like a new door frame, for example.

Interior barn doors can be locked using a sliding barn door lock. They will need to be secured with the proper frame. Some barn door privacy locks are only on the inside of the door, while others allow you to lock the sliding barn door from both sides.

Being able to lock a barn door from the inside a room makes it a viable security solution for any house

Standard Back Door Size

In residential homes, you might use your front entryway door interchangeably with your back interior door. Back doors are smaller than front doors. For safety reasons, and an added sense of security, a standard size interior door and door frame are recommended.

The reason that back doors are installed in utility rooms and kitchens is that these rooms do not have large windows. This leaves the rooms without a fire exit, so an interior door is ideal for spaces that have the width and small windows.

Interior Doors

Interior doors in residential homes are different than external doors and interior door. There are many sizes, from larger doors to pocket doors and they’re made of different materials. Doors are made from wood, fiberglass, or steel. And interior door styles have similar advantages that exterior doors don’t have.

There are also sliding glass door and standard sliding door options, which offer more natural light. Again, you will need the right frame to go with the doors. Also, interior double doors were common in older homes, but newer homes don’t have them.

Keep in mind that most interior doors are made from wood. The reason that exterior doors are made of heavier materials is for security and weatherproofing reasons. What would be the point of installing a fiberglass door in your closet or guest room?

Standard Interior Doors And Measurements

Utility Doors

The standard door widths of utility doors is 36 inches, while the standard door height is 96 inches. Today, pre-hung steel utility doors have become a popular choice among younger homeowners. The doors offer an industrial form and an added sense of protection what is sometimes a vulnerable entry point.

Bi-Fold Doors

A bi-fold door can be an interior door or exterior door. As an interior door option, bi-fold doors cover smaller spaces like pantries, laundry rooms, or wardrobes, and external bi-fold doors connect the inside of the home to the outside. The door frames are separate and can be attached during assembly.

With a closet door and door frames, you can have door widths of 30 inches.

Closet Doors

The standard door width for a closet door is 24 inches, while the standard door height is 80 inches. For spans up to 36 inches, your closet doors will have two panels or one door opening from the right or left at the door frame. For door widths between 36 inches and 72 inches, four panels will be needed for your bifold door, or two doors – one on each side.

Bedroom Door

The standard door width for a bedroom door is 32 inches, while the standard door height is 80 inches. The most popular color for a bedroom door is solid-core. The color consists of plywood or composite exterior, full of the wood-fibber interior.

Solid-core interior doors look like solid wood doors, maintaining the quality or ‘expensive’ look and feel. The door adds a Cottagecore vibe to a room.

The interior door also has insulation and offers noise protection between your other rooms.

Passage Doors

The standard door width of a passage door is 32 inches. A passage door is unique as it doesn’t require locking, but you will need a door frame. The doors don’t lock but are used to open doors and go between rooms. Passage door knobs are ideal for interior hallways, closets and other rooms that don’t need privacy locks.

Bathroom Doors

The interior door width for a bathroom door is between 28 and 32 inches, and that’s including the frame. Many homeowners are installing aluminum doors on their bathrooms. Although a wooden door and steel door would both look elegant.

Pocket Doors

Among interior door designs, a pocket door is the most versatile. The door operates by sliding into a “pocket” in a wall where it’s not being used. Also, the door allows you to regain space lost by the radius necessary for a hinged door to operate. As you can tell, the frame isn’t an issue. This could be used as a small item storage space for a tape measure, for an example.

What Is The Difference Between A Pre Hung and Regular Doors?

A pre-hung door includes a door slab that’s hung in the door frame and pre-cut for the doorknob and the strike plate. It’s close to an all-in-one door package. A pre-hung door must be shipped carefully because it is fragile. Upon arrival, the door is fitted into the appropriate door frame.

Rough Openings

The height of a standard door is 6 feet, 6 inches tall. The height and width of the rough opening for a door is its height plus 2 5/8 inches. The additional room allows for a 3/4-inch top jamb, a shim space above the door jamb width and the thickness of underlayment and finishes flooring.

Door Hinges

Exterior door hinges are thicker and larger. The stainless steel hinges protect against corrosion and rust. Interior door hinges are available in copper and iron.

They have four components:

Knuckle: looped portion at the end of each door leaf. Two leaves are held together by sliding a pin through the knuckles. Pin: a long, skinny hinge that slides through the knuckles, securing the two leaves. They rotate on the pin, allowing a door to open and close. Screw Hole: a hole that allows you to secure the hinge to the frame and door.Leaf: Every hinge has two leaves. These are the flat plate portions of the hinge that attach to the frame and door.

Surface Door Hinges

Surface hinges rest on the door frame and door, making installation easier. The hinges are for indoor, lightweight, hollow core doors.

Mortise Door Hinges

Mortise hinges sit in a door’s surface and frame and requires an extra step during installation. You’ll need mortise hinges for heavy or high-traffic doors. Mortise hinges are the preferred choice for doors in exterior entryways.

New Door Or Paint Job?

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If you want a fresh design and new front doors that look new, then painting your old door is cheaper than installing a replacement door. You can always make the doorframe bigger and install a bar door. A contractor could also make it smaller by reducing the width, but it would depend on the room.

How To Paint Custom Doors

Painting your door can make a difference and even make you love your old door more.

Door Paint Color

First, choose a color you like. You can either take color swatches and tape them to the door or you can test the door in little swipes or dots. You could even use the same bathroom color for a unique effect.

If you change the color of an existing door, you’ll want to remove the paint, so testing the paint by painting the door isn’t ideal. You can do it if you’re willing to remove it from the frame, otherwise, swatches are the best bet.

Sand The Facing

Keep in mind that this step isn’t important. It also isn’t for the wood, most exterior doors don’t have wood facing.

This includes anything that can be washed off from top to bottom on the existing door. For example, old mud, chunks of stuff, and anything that is too small to be scraped off with a putty knife. Use a putty knife for larger pieces that can’t be sanded from the door. For bigger pieces, reach out to any of your home improvement centers or anywhere that sells new furniture.

Clean Door

After you’ve removed larger chunks and sanded everything, it’s time to move on to cleaning the door. The door will need to be cleaned with soap and warm water.

Don’t try to tackle the door unless it is dry. Even if you have to do it yourself with a lint-free cloth, get all of the nooks and crannies or the paint will run instead of stick.

Remove Hardware

Keep in mind that you’ll need to keep the hardware clean when painting the door. The best way to do this is to remove it. You should only need a standard screwdriver to do the job.

If you don’t want to touch your door lock out of fear that you won’t put it back right, tape it. You can tape the door hardware with painter’s tape.

Tape Door

If you’ve removed the door hardware, taping is easy. All you have to do is tape the edges. It’s a good idea to go far over the door facing and frame to be safe. You can also tape the edges of the other side of the door.

Whether you cover the other side of the door, the same color or not will be your decision. Don’t forget to place newspaper in the doorknob hole if you have removed the hardware.

Primer

Unless you want paint the door many times, use a primer. Choose a simple white primer for best results and apply one coat unless it hardly covers.

If you want your door a lighter color, you will want a thick primer. So, start off with one that is recommended when changing from dark to light-colored door.

Paint The Door

You’ve chosen your door color, so start painting. Use a small brush for nooks, crannies, and around the edges. Use a roller for large, flat areas.

After removing the hardware, hit the area with a roller. No matter what you use, make sure you go with the grain of the wood, even if the door isn’t wood.

Lightly Sand

After the first coat has dried, go over a step that most people skip. It works if you are applying a second coat to your door, otherwise, it’s pointless. If you are doing a second coat, sand the door.

Sand the bumps, bubbles, and inconsistencies to get a smooth coat. That’s what the second coat is for. The first coat is almost like a transition from primer to regular paint.

Add Second Coat

This may turn into a third or fourth coat, but for most doors, two coats is perfect. Don’t sand after this coat. If the stroke patterns doesn’t look right, go over them until they do.

Remove Tape

Finally, remove the tape from the door. But if you wait a day or two, it may peel or chip the paint. Do it right after everything has dried for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What Is The Standard Door Frame Size?

In US houses, most of the common size of the door is80 inches x 30 inches with a 2 inch thickness. However, not all doors in the house have the same dimension. Doors size can vary from a minimum of 30 inches and as tall as 96 inches, and thickness can depend on the door material.

What’s The Best Type Of Front Door?

A wooden door is the preferred choice. Timber wood doors offer tradition and charm for a house. American homeowners think the doors are aesthetically pleasing and secure. Plus, the wood doors are harder to damage and easier to repair.

What Color Should I Paint My Standard Entry Door?

If you want to sell your house, paint your exterior door black and charcoal gray. According to US real estate agents, a black and charcoal gray coat will increase a home’s value by more than $6,000. New doors will cost more than a paint job, so this is one DIY project you should do.

What Is The Most Secure Exterior Door Material?

A steel door is among the best for security. The door is almost impossible to break; even if beaten. The door is more likely to dent than become unhinged. Many homeowners think steel is the perfect door where security issues are a priority.

What Is A Pre Hung Door?

Among interior doors, pre hung doors offer the most flexibility. A pre hung door hangs on hinges within a new frame. If your old frame no longer works, a pre hung door is ideal. You can also use it to remove a door frame when making an entrance area bigger for an existing door.

The biggest advantage of pre hung is that they’re weathertight. You don’t have to worry about weather-stripping and making them tight-fitting. Pre hung also eliminates fitting the door into the door jam, ensuring it opens and closes freely.

How Much Does It Cost To Put In A Storm Door?

If you choose to install a storm door, you’ll save some money on labor costs and spend about $250 to $300 for parts and materials. You’ll pay between $150 and $1,000, depending on the style, weight, and features of the door. Basic aluminum doors are $150 to $200.

What Is The Average Cost Of A Standard Entry Door?

Average replacement door cost is between $477 and $1,389.

Standard Front Door Size Conclusion

The exterior door of a home represents those who dwell in the living space. As a décor feature, a door punctuates the living environment that it serves An exterior door also protects you from dangerous natural elements. But keep in mind that interior doors are just as vital.

Although not all exterior and interior doors are the same, most doors have the same features. There are plenty of stock exterior doors to choose from or you can update an existing door for equal effect.

Remember, a bi fold door requires wall space, so you’ll need to break out your tape measure and get the height and width before installing them. If you choose a large door for your main entrance, you’ll need to consider the standard height and minimum height of your interior doors and exterior entryways.