What Size Of External Oak Door Do I Need?

What Size of External Oak Door Do I Need?

Oak is an organic, natural and subjectively attractive building material that has been used to build front, rear and interior doors for hundreds of years. There is an unmistakable and unique quality to a solid oak door, which means that they are the favoured choice of homeowners across the country. Before you spend hours searching for the right style of door, however, you might want to consider its size, as that last thing you'll want to do if you've spent hundreds on a gorgeous external oak door, is to have to sand it within an inch of its life if it's too large for your frame, or bulk it out with unsightly packers if it's too small.

Here we'll take you through the steps involved in measuring a door frame for a door fitting and an opening for a door frame. Use this guide to make sure you know exactly what size you need your external doors to be.

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What Size of External Oak Door Do I Need?

How To Measure External Doors

Tools

The job itself is actually quite simple; all you'll need is a decent tape measure and a steady pair of hands.

Measuring a door to fit into an existing frame

Of course, if you're measuring for a new door to fit into an existing frame, the most logical thing to do would be to measure the existing door and match those measurements to a new door. If you don't have this luxury then you'll need to measure the frame. Remember that you should always measure from the inside of the frame, as this is where your door will be fitted.

Measure the height of the opening horizontally on either side of the frame.
Measure the width of the opening horizontally at the top and bottom of the opening.
Measure the thickness of the opening.
Always use the largest set of measurements as a guide, as it's far more convenient to have a little wiggle room than to have a door that simply won't fit. Generally, unless you're having it custom-made, doors will come in standard sizes, so try to look for a door which matches your requirements as closely as possible. It's unlikely you'll find an exact match. For example, if your measurements are around 1980mm up and 750 across, the standard door size to select would be 1981mm up and 762mm across.

Measuring for a frame

If you're installing a door without an existing frame, you'll need to measure the bare opening.

Measure the vertical height of the opening (aperture) in which you intend to install the frame. You're going to want to measure three times, once on the far left, once in the centre and once on the far right.
Measure the width of the opening horizontally, again three time; once at the bottom, once at the top and once in the middle (around where the door handles will go).
Calculate the average of each different set of measurements and use this figure as the final measurement.
When ordering your frame, always allow for a certain amount of clearance, as if you have to force the frame in even slightly, it could end up warping the frame or knocking in out of square. The clearance should generally be around 10mm, which allows you a certain amount of wiggle room, without leaving a gigantic gap.
When ordering the door you intend to install within the frame, take your clearance into account. Deduct the clearance from your measurements and use this as a guide for your door.

Tips for measuring your doors

Measure twice. It's easy to make a mistake on the first measure and that mistake could end up costing you dearly.
Always work with a partner if you can. Having someone to hold the end of the tape measure will prove useful. They can also help check your measurements if you’re unsure.
Take notes. Don't rely on your memory because your memory can let you down. Once you've made a measurement make a note of it either on a piece of paper or on your tablet/smartphone.

In Summary

Now that you have your measurements to hand, you can start shopping around for the perfect external oak door. We'd recommend taking your measurement notes with you when shopping, as you should be able to get more realistic and accurate quotes with exact measurements, especially if you require a bespoke construction. As with any significant purchase however, don't be afraid to shop around for the best deal and don't let your heart rule your head! Online services are also an excellent solution, as you'll be able to email off your measurements and get a quote back, often in the same day without even having to leave the comfort of your own home! Why not go ahead and order those patio doors you've always wanted whilst you're at it.

Additional Information

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What sized front/back door do I need for my house?

Whilst oak doors are less likely to adhere to 'standard' door sizes as UPVC or engineered wooden doors, there are a number of standard door sizes in the UK that you might want to take note of. Of course, if your door frame doesn't adhere to any of these sizes, most manufacturers will be able to build you a bespoke door, but this will be most costly.

The vast majority of doors, both internal and external, will be around 1981mm in height, but the width will vary depending on when your home was built. Generally speaking, frames get wider the newer the property is, with most conventional external frames being able to fit door widths of 762mm, 838mm. Some older houses, meanwhile might have door spaces of only 610mm or 686mm.

What is the most common width for an exterior door?

The most common width for front doors in the UK is 914mm. This meets with current building regulations around accessibility, so is suitable for use in moder homes too. This said, not all doors are this size, and other common door widths including 864mm and 813mm.

Should there be a gap underneath an exterior door?

When fitting an external door, you need to make sure there is little to no gap at the bottom. Any space between the threshold of your door frame and the base of the door will let cold air and water into the house, and seriously reduce the insulating benefits of your door. This is why it is often advised to buy your front door pre-hung.

How much gap should be around an external door?

When it comes to the sides and the top of your door, you should allow a gap of 2 or 3mm between the door slab and the frame. This is to give it enough space to swing open. Most external doors are then fitted with flexible ‘weather strips, that create a seal with the door when it is closed to stop drafts getting in or warm air escaping.