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How to Properly Size a Door for Replacement

open interior door that will be measured for replacement

There are many different reasons why you may need a door replacement. Maybe you have been the victim of a security incident and need something that is going to offer more protection, or perhaps you simply want to update an old-looking door to a fresh style.

No matter what your circumstances are, one thing you need to do is make sure that you measure for your replacement door correctly. The last thing you want to do is end up ordering a door that is either too big or too small. In this post, you can learn how to properly size a door for replacement.

Measure the Width of the Door Frame

The first thing you need to do is measure for the door’s width. You should take three measurements from inside the door frame: the bottom, middle, and top.

The width of the door will be determined by the narrowest measurement of the doorway. This will ensure your new door will fit in the door frame even if the width varies slightly. Use a tape measure and run it from left to right so that you can record the three measurements.

Measure the Height of the Door Frame

Once you have written the width down, next you’ll need to measure the height. To do this, you should take vertical measurements of the inside of each side of the door frame. The height required will be determined by the shortest length.

It is often a good idea to enlist a friend or family member when you are measuring, especially if you need to stand on a chair or ladder in order to measure the height of the door frame properly. Again, simply use your tape measure to do this, running it from the top corner to the bottom corner on each side and then going with the shortest length out of the two.

Measure for the Thickness of the Door

The third and final measurement you are going to need to take is the thickness of the door (or door jamb.) You should use a tape measure again, running it along the edge of the door, and then record the thickness.

We definitely recommend taking the measurements a couple of times, just so you can be sure that no errors have been made. You’ll want your new door to match the dimensions of your frame closely to get a good fit, especially if it’s an exterior door. Make sure you follow the instructions that have been provided above to avoid the disaster of an ill-fitting door.

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