How high is a front door?

We expect a lot from our front doors, these days. It’s not enough that they’re entryways to our homes, they are a signifier to others of our personalities and what type of home we have, a strong and secure protector of our family and belongings, and a thermally efficient way to keep the heat in and the worst of the weather out. With all that being said, it doesn’t sound like there’s anything standard about a front door, so it should come as no surprise that there is no standardised height of a front door in the UK.

There is, however, a minimum height that a front door has to meet to conform to the International Residential Code, which is at least 80 inches – along with a minimum width of 36 inches. Most new builds have bigger front doors, standing at 82.5 inches tall and 38 inches wide, and this is now the most typical size that doors in England and Wales are made to. Wherever you are in the UK, period properties tend to have far smaller door frames, so it’s likely that they may require custom made doors.

How to measure your front door

The first measurements for both height and width are all about the corners – top to bottom for the height, and left to right for the width. However, it’s really important to then measure at different levels, as your door (and frame) may warp over time, depending on how old they are and what they’re made of. Make sure you only measure the door and not any other parts, like the door sweep, and then take the largest measurement as the size of your door.

From here, it’s worth factoring in the frame space too, to ensure that if you are getting a replacement, you can get the perfect size. Take the height measurement from the top of the door at the underside of the trim, down to the floor, and the width of the door in three places, and make note of the smallest figure.

The frame is important, when considering your door, especially if you would like to make your home as safe and secure as possible. Believe it or not, if your frame and door are not integrated systems, burglars can simply remove the frame and enter your home. Your frame should be just as unbreakable as your door, with flush hinges and a secure attachment to the door.

If you would like to find out more about different types of doors, please get in touch on 01279 427777.