What is a Standard Entry Door Size in Australia?
INTRODUCTION:
Whether you want your front entry door to make a statement or blend right in, there’s no denying that it’s a big decision. You need to balance curb appeal with performance, style with security, and you need a realistic idea of what your budget can handle.
But here’s another question – do you know what size door you need? Our homes come in all shapes and sizes, and you can get a custom door for pretty much any opening, but if your home has standard door sizes this can make things easier and more cost-effective.
The most common entry door sizes for Australian homes are 2040 high x 820 wide x 40 mm thick. The first step to choosing a new front entry door is to check the dimensions of your opening – from there, you can start to explore your options.
How Do I Measure my Front Door?
You may not know whether your door frame is a standard size, so before you start browsing and falling in love with a new look, you need to measure up! If you have an existing door in place, you can measure the door itself, and/or you can measure inside the frame where the door will hang.
Your door frame may not be perfectly square so it’s best to take multiple measurements at different points. Take 3 width measurements – near the top, middle and bottom of the opening – and use the shortest as your new door width.
Again, take 2 height measurements at different points along the opening, measuring from inside the top of the door frame down to the bottom of the opening, and use the shortest measurement. Remember to factor in the clearance of the door at floor level – if you have a thick carpet or are planning to replace the flooring with something different, you will need to allow for this in your height measurement so that your new entry door doesn’t get stuck when you try to open it.
You should also measure the depth of the rebate to work out the thickness of the door so that it sits flush when closed.
Now that you have the dimensions in hand, you can start to hone in on potential styles and configurations. When choosing your new door, you want something as close to these dimensions as possible, without going over (i.e. always round your measurements down not up, so that your door actually fits the space!).
Finally, be sure to check and measure the space available for opening the door. Front entry doors usually open into the home, so you will need to have space for the door to swing into the entrance hall and sit to the left or right when open. Measure your floor space, and check for any other obstructions. This is particularly important if you are tempted by an extra wide door or a set of double doors that will take up more of your internal area when open.
What Do I Do If My Entry Door is Not a Standard Size?
If you find that your measurements don’t fit the standard front door size of 2040 x 820 mm, don’t panic! Although these are the most common dimensions for entry door sizes, many door styles are also available in taller and wider options as standard. For example, some ranges offer a standard door width of 870, 920, 1020 or 1200 mm, and a standard door height of 2400 mm.
Many homeowners are now choosing front doors that are extra wide or extra tall for the added sense of grandeur, so even if you have a non-standard opening you don’t necessarily have to go down the route of getting your door custom made. The Doors Plus Arcadia and Eden ranges offer extra wide options in either solid timber or timber and glass, with styles for both traditional and contemporary homes. These wider doors are also convenient for moving large items of furniture or appliances in and out of the house, so they can be both an aesthetic and a practical choice.
For wider entry door sizes, you can consider a standard sized door with a matching side panel. This can make for an attractive front entrance, and glazed side panels are an excellent way of inviting light into your home at the front. If you choose a solid front door, an additional glazed side panel also allows you to check who’s calling before opening the door.
Depending on your space, you might also consider the option of a set of double hinged doors, rather than the standard single entry door. For double doors and framework, the standard overall width of the opening is 1700 mm. The most common standard door height is still 2040 mm, or 2100 mm including framework. Again, there are taller, wider or narrower options available too. These French-style doors are available in either timber, composite or aluminium and tend to feature glass panels that let in plenty of light.
Of course, if you can’t find a standard configuration that will fit your opening, there is the option of custom entry doors that are made-to-measure. These tend to come at a higher cost than standard sized doors, but you can be sure of a flush fit and beautiful results. The Doors Plus Bona Vista aluminium hinged doors are a stunning example of what you can achieve with custom doors.
With so many different types of entry doors on offer, there’s something for every home – whatever your specifications. If you want to do more than just replace your existing doors, and you have the budget for it, you can even reconfigure your framework to accommodate the doors you love.
Summary
Being clued up about front door sizes is the first step towards choosing a new entry door that ticks all the boxes for your home. Most styles and designs offer a range of standard sizes, with single or double configurations, and made-to-measure options are ideal for non-standard openings. Getting the sizing right is crucial, not just for the installation but for the ongoing performance of your door in terms of home security and insulation. At Doors Plus, our doors can be trimmed down by a few mm on each edge so that you can be sure of a flush fit.
You can check out our run-down on how to install entry doors to get an idea of exactly what this involves and whether you feel confident fitting your new door yourself. If not, it’s always best to arrange for a professional to come in and take care of it for you. If draughts or poor insulation are an issue for you, you can find out more about how to insulate entry doors to keep your home comfortable and peaceful.
Whether you’re just starting out on your journey towards a new entry door, or you’ve measured up and want to start narrowing down the options, you can visit your nearest Doors Plus showroom for a one-to-one consultation and get all your questions answered. We can arrange a free measure and quote for all entry door sizes, and let you know which ranges and configurations to consider for your space. Size is just one of the factors that can affect the cost of entry doors, so your quote will also take into account the material, style and configuration that you go for.
Find your nearest showroom today and one of our friendly door experts will introduce you to our extensive range of entry doors to put the finishing touch on your home.