Khaycelyn - Author
Here’s our guide to french door sizes including how to measure for french doors and our dimensions guide for exterior and interior french door sizes.
French doors can give several benefits in terms of security, functionality, energy efficiency, design, and convenience. However, you might ask, what is the size of a standard french door? What are the sizes of the other types of french doors?
Let us discuss these questions in this article.
Standard French Door Size
The size of standard french doors is customarily 80 inches in height and 72 inches in width. French doors, however, can also be available with a measurement of around 5 and 8 feet in width.
French doors can be used for room entryways of different sizes.
In several cases, the sizes of french doors will only depend on what the manufacturer has set. But, in general, the majority of french door dimensions are between 5 and 8 feet in width for each door. They are also mostly available with an additional measurement of 2 inches.
Exterior French Door Sizes
The size of an exterior french door may vary. It mostly depends on its manufacturer. It will be based on the size of the door frames. But usually, the height of a standard exterior french door is either 6.7 feet, 7 feet, or 8 feet.
As previously mentioned, the average French door size is 80” high by 72” wide.
Exterior french doors are usually 5 to 8 feet wide. The overall door size may increase by a few inches at a time. Because French doors are mainly created to transfer more natural light into your indoor space, they customarily function as exterior doors.
Some huge houses with massive door openings need massive exterior french door sizes. If this is your case, you won’t have to worry as you can select exterior french doors that measure up to 10 feet in width.
Interior French Door Sizes
However, if you’re thinking about installing a french door in your interior space, you need to remember that it’s also necessary to create sufficient room for the doors so that they can be swung freely.
Standard interior French doors measure 80 inches high by 36 inches wide per door.
Interior french doors side by side usually have a width of 36 inches. This size will create an overall door opening that’s 72 inches wide. The standard door thickness is 1 ¾”.
Some door manufacturers create individual doors that measure from 24” to 42” wide. Read more about standard interior door size here.
French Door Rough Opening Size
The actual size of the french door’s rough opening must be precisely ascertained so that the french doors will be installed properly and without hassle.
Moreover, this is to ensure that the doors will be opened and closed fittingly once they’re built and installed. A correct rough opening size also ascertains that there won’t be uneven surfaces and gaps on the door.
In order to accurately determine a french door’s rough opening, you need to measure each door’s size. For you to get the overall width, you’ll need to multiply each door’s width by 2 and then add 2 inches.
As an example, if each door has a measurement of 30 inches in width, then the width of the french door’s rough opening must be 62 inches.
Regarding the rough opening’s height, you’ll need to add 2 and a half inches to the door’s height. As an example, if the height of your door is 82 inches, then the french door’s rough opening’s height must be 84 and a half.
How to Measure For French Doors
To measure your french doors, what you need to do first is to remove the molding from the door frame’s interior. It can’t be possible for you to precisely get the actual measurement of the door space’s rough opening if the molding is present in the area.
After that, you’ll need to start measuring the opening’s width and height. To accurately get the height, start measuring from the threshold to the header’s bottom. To get the actual width, start measuring from one side of the opening to the other side.
It is also recommended for you to get the measurement of the depth of the jamb.
Furthermore, you’ll have to identify if your french door is opening outswing or inswing. You must also go stand on the outside of the door so you can determine if it opens using your right or left hand.
Read this article to learn more about how to measure a door.
Do French Doors Open In Or Out?
For example, if you want to replace your french door, then you’ll also have to install a french door that can open similar to the old door. To modify the door’s opening direction, you will have to change the door frame and casing as well.
Moreover, french doors need an extensive space that’s away from any blockages. You will also have to leave sufficient space so you can stand conveniently and comfortably while pulling or shutting the door.
Several residences only provide enough room for the french doors to be opened in full range in just a single direction.
Doors that are swinging outward can withstand several types of weather. If it’s the rainy season, this type of door will prevent water from leaking. Even so, outswing doors can be very difficult to open if the snow outside is very thick and massive.
If you live in a place or country that’s snowing too much, inswing doors are a much better option.
In terms of safety, outswing doors can be less effective against thieves. Because the hinges are outside, thieves have the access to detaching the entire hinge. So if you’re using an outswing door for your exterior space, it’s advisable to put security pins into the hinges.
For more detailed article about french doors, see our french door designs guide here.
