How to Measure for a New Front Door

Time for a new front door? Before you can decide how ready-made doors measure up to your expectations, you’ll need to see how they’ll measure up to your door opening. 

You should also decide whether you should replace the door frame. After all, you’ll want a nice match as well as a good fit, and if your door needs replacing, chances are its frame could use renewing too. 

If it’s getting old and worn, you may notice that your door frame isn’t perfectly straight anymore. That’s going to result in a poor fit and a tricky installation, only to have a new door with an old, and possibly weak, frame. 

Ways to Measure For a New Front Door

Door Only

If your old door fits its frame well, and the frame seems to be in good shape, you might decide to replace the door and nothing else. We don’t really recommend this approach, but the choice is yours. 

To measure the door, simply grab a measuring tape and choose at least three places along the length and width of the door for your measurements. This helps you to see whether the door really is a perfect rectangle. If it isn’t, you may need to think again about replacing the frame too. 

You should also measure the thickness of your door since the frame has been made to accommodate that. Always measure several times to make absolutely sure your measurements are correct. 

How to Measure a New Front Door and Frame

As we noted in the introduction, it’s best to replace the entire unit: both door and frame. In this instance, the dimensions of the existing door itself don’t matter. You need the dimensions of the opening the door, with its frame, must fill. 

In this instance, measure the space between the bricks surrounding the door frame, noting down length and height in several places and repeating your measurements to ensure they’re accurate. To get accurate door measurements, your measuring tape must be absolutely horizontal when measuring across and absolutely vertical when measuring the length. 

If you notice slight variations along the opening, choose your smallest measurement. You can always fill the spaces that occur at the wider areas. 

Measuring Double Doors

There’s no need to measure each of the leaves of the door. If you aren’t replacing the frame, measure the door set’s total width. If you’re getting a new frame to match your new doors, measure to the brickwork. 

Measuring Doors With Sidelights

Sidelights are glass panes on either side of the door. If you want a door with sidelights, you should buy one that has sidelights and sidelight frames included. Once again, your door opening (measured to the brickwork) is the most important measurement. 

Consider Your Flooring

Your door must swing open easily and smoothly, so you should take flooring into account when measuring for a new door. For security reasons, and for convenience, you want the door to open inwards rather than outwards. You don’t want the door scraping on carpeting or wooden flooring, so when measuring the height of the door, measure from the inside. 

Are Door Sizes Standardised?

Up to a point, it’s possible to say that door sizes are standard. In the UK, you’ll find several standard door sizes in use, but the most common ones are 210cm tall and 100cm wide. 

However, there are many reasons why your door might not match that standard. For example, older homes often have narrower doors, luxury homes often have wider doors, and historic buildings are very unlikely to have doors that match the modern standard. Even if you have a newer home, it’s possible that the original owner didn’t install a standard door, so it pays to check. 

Replacing Front Doors For Improved Security

Security may be one of the reasons why you’re considering a new front door. In this case, you definitely should replace the frame. A sturdy front door isn’t much use if the frame isn’t reinforced to match its strength. Similarly, choose a door that’s been designed and certified as able to resist attempts at forced entry. Secured by Design is a good accreditation to look out for. 

Is Installing a New Front Door An Easy DIY Job?

If you’re asking this question, you probably don’t have enough experience to install a new front door well. It’s a lot more difficult than it may seem on the surface. Instead of looking for ways to measure a front door for replacement, it may be wisest to get a professional to do the whole job from measuring to installation. 

Apart from running the risk of getting a new door that doesn’t quite fit, you might damage the door while you’re working or fail to hang it so that it aligns correctly. Nobody likes doors that stick, squeak or let in drafts. As for those drafts, apart from being uncomfortable, they’ll increase your heating bills. Even the most energy-efficient door design won’t work as it should if it isn’t installed well. 

How to Find a Door That’s Perfect For Your Home

Just as there’s more to measuring a door for replacement than most people think, finding the ideal door for your home may not be as easy as it looks. 

You may have a non-standard door opening, or you might want a door that matches or contrasts with other doors in your neighbourhood. Or, perhaps, you’d like a durable finish in just the right shade. Security is also an important consideration these days. What should you do?

‍Bespoke security doors and professional installation are the answers you’re looking for. Choose from a range of finishes and styles, and leave the rest to us. You won’t need to handle any measurements yourself—professionals will measure your new front door for you at no additional cost. Contact us today, it’s an investment in your home, and you can have confidence in our guarantees. 

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