If you’re planning on replacing an old internal or external door, you need to have your dimensions right.
After all:
It’s no good spending your hard-earned cash on a snazzy new door just to find out it’s either too large or too small for the door opening, right?
The good news is:
Measuring doors is no rocket science. Read on to find out how to measure for a new door in a manner of minutes.
Table of contents:
How to measure for doors
Remove the old door
If you are replacing an existing door, remove it from its hinges and lay it flat on the ground.
Measure the door frame
Using a tape measure, measure the width and height of the door frame where the new door will be installed. Measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom, and use the smallest measurement as your width. Measure the height from the floor to the top of the frame, and use the smallest measurement as your height.
Measure the rough opening
The rough opening is the space between the studs in the wall where the door will be installed. Measure the width and height of the rough opening, again taking measurements at the top, middle, and bottom, and use the smallest measurement as your width and height.
Measure the door slab
If you are replacing an existing door, measure the width and height of the door slab. If you are installing a new door, measure the width and height of the door opening in the frame.
Determine the thickness of the door
Most interior doors are 1 3/8 inches thick, while exterior doors are usually 1 3/4 inches thick. Measure the thickness of the old door or the opening in the frame to determine the thickness of the new door you need.
Check for level and square
Before you order a new door, check the frame for level and square. Use a level to make sure the frame is plumb and a square to make sure it is square. If the frame is not level or square, you may need to adjust it before installing the new door.
Useful tips for measuring doors
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- Always measure from inside the door frame
- Use millimetres as a unit of measurement
- When faced with a choice, buy larger rather than smaller
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Final thoughts
Once you have all the measurements and have checked the frame for level and square, you can order your new door. Make sure to order a door that is the same thickness as your old door or the opening in the frame.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your new door will fit perfectly in your existing frame, making for a smooth and easy installation process.