The Official Homeowner’s Standard Front Door Size Guide

Choosing the right front door size is essential for proper function, energy efficiency, and long-term durability. Whether you’re replacing an aging door or starting a remodel, knowing the standard dimensions for front doors can help you make confident decisions about fit, configuration, and customization.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know about front door sizing, from standard dimensions and configurations to ProVia’s product-specific options and when custom sizing may be the better fit. You’ll also learn how to measure your existing door and understand the difference between slab, frame, and rough opening dimensions.

What Is the Standard Front Door Size?

In most homes, the standard front door measures 36 inches wide by 80 inches tall.

Other common widths include narrower doors (30 and 32 inches), which are often found in older or smaller homes. Taller entry doors, including 84-inch and 96-inch options, are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary and custom-designed houses to create dramatic entryways.

The standard front door is usually 1-3/4 inches thick. However, some high-performance doors are 2 1/2 inches thick to deliver better energy efficiency and durability.

What’s the Difference Between the Door Slab, Frame, and Rough Opening?

Before you measure or order a new front door, you need to understand the three key components of door sizing: the door slab, the door frame, and the rough opening. Each one refers to a different part of the entry system, and confusing them can lead to ordering the wrong size, which can delay installation and increase costs.

Door Slab

When a door is labeled 36″ x 80″, it typically refers to the slab size. The door slab is just the door panel itself. It doesn’t include hinges, side jambs, a sill, or any weather sealing.

• Standard slab size: 36″ wide x 80″ tall x 1-3/4″ thick
• Alternate widths: 30″, 32″
• Alternate heights: 84″, 96″

Door Frame (Pre-Hung Door Unit)

A pre-hung door includes the slab, vertical side jambs, top jamb, threshold, and often factory-installed weather stripping. It’s a complete unit that’s installed as one piece.

Standard frame sizes are approximately 37 1/2″ wide x 81 3/4″ tall. This accounts for 3/4″ jambs on each side and 1-3/4″ extra height for the top jamb and sill.

Rough Opening

The rough opening is the framed space where the entire door unit gets installed in your wall. It needs to be slightly larger than the frame to allow for shimming, leveling, and insulation.

Standard rough openings are approximately 38″ wide by 82″ tall, allowing for at least 1/4″ of clearance on each side and top.

Getting a proper fit means knowing all three measurements. If you’re replacing a door with a pre-hung unit, the rough opening, not the slab size, determines what will fit. For best results, we recommend having a professional measure before placing your order, especially in older homes or custom builds.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Get a free home window inspection, talk with one of our design consultants to get product recommendations, and learn about special offers and financing.

Get Started

Standard Front Door Sizes by Configuration

The standard dimensions for your front door can change based on its configuration. Below are homeowners’ most common setups, along with their typical sizes.

Single Entry Doors

Single front doors are the most common choice in residential construction, offering a practical and cost-effective solution for homes of all sizes. Depending on the home’s architecture, these doors are typically centered within the entryway and may include transoms or sidelights. If your home was built within the last few decades, chances are your existing front door is a single, 36″ x 80″ model. Typical dimensions for single-entry doors include:

• Width: 36″ (standard), with 30″ and 32″ available for narrower openings
• Height: 80″ (standard), with optional upgrades to 84″ or 96″ for those who want to make their door bigger and create taller entryways
• Thickness: 1-3/4″ standard, with high-performance options reaching up to 2-1/2″

Double Entry Doors

Double entry doors provide a wide, elegant opening that adds visual impact and improves functionality, especially for moving large furniture, increasing accessibility, or creating a dramatic front entry. They’re often used in custom homes, larger residences, and entryways with grand architectural styling. Typical dimensions for double doors include two slabs of the same size:

• Each door slab: 30″ or 36″ wide
• Combined width: 60″ to 72″ total
• Standard heights: 80″, 84″, and 96″

Entry Doors With Sidelights

Entry doors with sidelights combine the function of a front door with the aesthetic and lighting benefits of narrow vertical glass panels installed on one or both sides. Sidelights allow more natural light into the entryway and elevate curb appeal, especially when paired with decorative glass or grille patterns. Sidelights can be full-length, half-length, or custom-sized to match transoms or architectural lines. Typical dimensions include:

• Single door (36″ wide) with:
  • One sidelight: add 12″ to 14″, for a total width of 48″ to 50″
  • Two sidelights: add 24″ to 28″, for a total width of 60″ to 64″
• Standard height: 80″, with 96″
• Door slab thickness: typically 1-3/4″

ProVia Entry Doors and Size Options

At Lake Washington Windows and Doors, we install high-quality ProVia entry doors, trusted for their craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and ability to fit virtually any home.

ProVia’s custom doors are built to order in precise 1/8-inch increments for both width and height, making it easy to get a custom fit without altering your existing opening. Whether you’re looking for top-tier insulation, wood-look fiberglass, or reinforced steel, ProVia offers four distinct entry door lines designed to perform in the Pacific Northwest.

ProVia Embarq® Entry Doors

Embarq® is ProVia’s highest-performing fiberglass entry door, built for homeowners who want premium insulation, strength, and curb appeal.

With a 2 1/2-inch thick slab (nearly an inch thicker than a standard door), Embarq® is designed to reduce energy loss and improve comfort in every season. Each door is custom-built to fit your home in exact 1/8-inch increments, both in width and height, so you get a tailored fit without compromising design.

Here’s why homeowners choose ProVia Embarq® entry doors

• Embarq doors help reduce heating and cooling costs by limiting drafts and energy loss around the door.
• The thicker slab and insulated core create a quieter, more comfortable interior by blocking outdoor noise.
• You can choose from various decorative glass options, including insulated, multi-layered designs that maintain energy efficiency without sacrificing natural light.
• Every door is engineered to resist warping, cracking, and denting, making it a reliable long-term investment.
• Homeowners can choose from rich woodgrain textures like mahogany, cherry, oak, or knotty alder for a high-end look.
• A wide range of stain and paint finishes are available to match both traditional and modern exteriors.
• The door is ENERGY STAR® certified and backed by a 15-year finish warranty for added peace of mind.

ProVia Signet® Fiberglass Doors

Signet® doors are ProVia’s most design-flexible fiberglass entry doors. They offer the realistic look of real wood with the durability and low maintenance of fiberglass. These doors feature detailed woodgrain textures, a high-insulation foam core, and reinforced construction that stands up to daily use.

Like all ProVia doors, Signet® is built to order in 1/8-inch increments, so you get an exact fit without resizing your opening.

Here’s why homeowners choose ProVia Signet® entry doors

• Signet doors closely replicate the look and feel of real wood, making them a popular choice for craftsman, traditional, and contemporary homes.
• Fiberglass skins resist warping, cracking, and denting even with heavy use or exposure to the elements.
• Homeowners can choose from seven woodgrain textures, including mahogany, cherry, oak, fir, knotty alder, or a smooth finish.
• Multiple decorative options and styles support divided lites, privacy glass, or modern full-view designs.
• Doors can be finished in different colors inside and out, allowing for better coordination with your interior and exterior palettes.
• Structural reinforcements, including dovetailed rails and hardwood stiles, ensure long-term stability and strength.
• Every Signet door is ENERGY STAR® certified and backed by a 15-year finish warranty.

Heritage™ Fiberglass Doors

Heritage™ fiberglass doors are a durable, low-maintenance alternative to wood, offering classic styling with energy-efficient construction. Built with a solid polyurethane foam core and reinforced with laminated wood stiles, Heritage delivers reliable performance without the higher cost of premium door lines.

Every door is made to order in 1/8-inch width and height increments, giving homeowners a tailored fit even in older or non-standard openings.

Here’s why homeowners choose ProVia Heritage™ entry doors

• Heritage doors look like traditional wood doors without upkeep, so they won’t crack, swell, or rot over time.
• Fiberglass construction makes the door more resistant to dents and dings than steel or wood.
• The insulated foam core helps improve comfort indoors and reduce energy use year-round.
• Homeowners can choose smooth or oak-grain textured surfaces to match their home’s style.
• A wide selection of decorative or clear glass options is available to personalize the entry without sacrificing privacy.
• Heritage is great for budget-conscious homeowners who still want long-term durability and weather protection.
• Each door is ENERGY STAR® certified and comes with a 10-year finish warranty.

Legacy® Steel Doors

Legacy® is ProVia’s strongest and most secure entry door, built with heavy-duty 20-gauge steel and a solid polyurethane foam core for energy efficiency. Unlike standard steel doors, Legacy uses a seamless construction method with tab-and-slot interlocks that reinforce the door from edge to edge. Each door is built to your home’s exact dimensions in 1/8-inch width and height increments, giving you flexibility without compromising strength or fit.

Here’s why homeowners choose ProVia Legacy® entry doors

• Legacy doors offer superior protection thanks to their thick, dent-resistant steel exterior.
• The foam-filled core helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Doors in smooth, embossed, shaker, or realistic woodgrain textures suit various architectural styles.
• Optional privacy or decorative glass can be added without compromising the door’s strength or performance.
• Steel construction minimizes flexing, warping, or sagging over time, even in exposed entries.
• Each door is built to perform in all weather conditions and is ENERGY STAR® certified for energy efficiency.
• Legacy doors have a 10-year finish warranty and are compatible with high-security hardware options.

How to Measure Your Front Door for Replacement

If you’re planning to upgrade your front door, getting accurate door measurements is crucial. Whether you’re replacing just the slab or ordering a full pre-hung system, knowing the dimensions of your current setup will help ensure your new door fits correctly and avoids costly mistakes or delays. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you measure your existing front door like a pro.

1. Measure the Door Slab (Panel Only)

Start by measuring the door panel’s width, edge to edge, excluding any trim or weather stripping. Then measure the height from the top edge to the bottom edge of the slab. This gives you the basic size of the door, which is often what manufacturers reference. Do not include the frame or threshold in this step.

2. Measure the Door Frame (Pre-Hung Unit)

Next, measure the full width and height of the door frame. Measure from the inside edge of one side jamb to the other, and from the threshold at the bottom to the top of the head jamb. This gives you the full dimensions of a pre-hung door unit, which includes the slab, jambs, and sill.

3. Measure the Rough Opening

You may need to remove interior casing or trim to find the rough opening. Measure from the inside edge of one wall stud to the other (width) and from the subfloor to the bottom of the header (height). This is the full-framed space where the door unit sits. The rough opening must be slightly larger than the frame to allow for shimming and leveling during installation.

4. Measure the Door Thickness

Open the door and use your tape measure to check the edge of the door slab. Most entry doors are 1 3/4″ thick, but premium insulated models like the ProVia Embarq® are 2 1/2″ thick for improved energy efficiency.

5. Determine Swing Direction and Hinge Side

Stand outside your front door, facing it. If the hinges are on the right, you have a right-hand door; if they’re on the left, it’s a left-hand door. Then check which way the door swings, into the house (inswing) or out toward you (outswing). This helps ensure your new entry door opens correctly and aligns with your home’s style and layout.

Why Professional Measurement and Installation Matter

While not strictly essential, professional measurement and installation are strongly recommended when replacing or upgrading your front door, especially if you want the best fit, function, and energy performance. Even minor errors in measurement or alignment can lead to air leaks, moisture intrusion, or difficulty opening and closing the door.

• Precision prevents costly mistakes. Entry doors must align perfectly with your home’s rough door opening to close tightly and operate smoothly. If the door is too small, you may face gaps that let in cold air and water. It won’t fit without extensive modifications if it’s too large. Professional installers account for shimming space, door swing, hinge placement, and threshold height details that are easy to miss but critical to a long-lasting, weather-tight fit.
• Energy efficiency starts with accuracy. A properly installed front door minimizes drafts, helps regulate indoor temperatures, and supports your home’s overall energy efficiency. Even a high-quality door can fall short of its potential without professional installation, allowing energy to escape around the edges due to improper alignment or poor sealing.
• Peace of mind from expert craftsmanship. A professional team brings the right tools, training, and experience to handle everything from measuring and ordering to installing and sealing the door. This ensures the final product not only looks great but also functions flawlessly.

Whether you’re updating your home for energy savings, aesthetic appeal, or improved security, the right front door is only part of the equation. A perfect fit and long-term performance start with expert measurement and installation.

If you’re in the greater Seattle area and planning a front door replacement, Lake Washington Windows and Doors can help you find the perfect front door, determine exactly what size and configuration you need, and ensure it is installed cleanly, securely, and with attention to detail. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and get expert help selecting front, French, and sliding glass patio doors that fit your home and your goals.