Standard Entry Door Sizes for Your Home

Your front door does more than welcome guests – it adds curb appeal, protects your home, and plays a key role in energy efficiency. Whether you’re building a new or replacing an old door, getting the size right is just as important as choosing the style or material.

Many homeowners don’t realize that the industry sets standard entry door sizes for a reason. Choosing the right size means easier installation, fewer modifications, and better long-term performance. It also helps avoid common issues like drafts, gaps, or frame problems.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about standard size entry doors, including materials, widths, heights, and thickness, and when it makes sense to go custom. This info will help you to make the right choice if you plan a door project in New Jersey.

Entry Door Materials and Their Standard Sizes

Fiberglass Doors with Glass

The best choice for homeowners who require low maintenance and high durability. They are usually available in standard entry door sizes such as 36″ x 80″, and often come with full or partial glass inserts. These doors are lighter than wood doors but remain strong.

Solid Wood Doors

They are popular in older or custom homes. They usually have standard dimensions, such as 36 inches wide by 80 inches high, but can vary in thickness (from 1-3/4 inches to 2-1/4 inches). However, it’s also worth considering that wood can expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, so the frame and seals must be carefully sized to withstand seasonal changes.

Steel Entry Doors

They are secure and have good insulating properties. These doors come in standard sizes – usually 32 or 36 inches wide – and can be either insulated or uninsulated. They require a reinforced frame, especially as primary entry doors. They are great for storm protection, and newer models offer improved design.

Composite Doors

Resistant to warping, cracking and weathering. These doors are available in a standard range of entry door sizes and perform well in New Jersey’s variable climate. They also hold up well to paint and finishes.

Fiberglass Doors With Wood Trim

Available in most standard-sized entry door options, they are a reasonable compromise for homeowners who value beauty and efficiency.

Common Standard Entry Door Dimensions

Understanding standard door dimensions helps to simplify the process of selecting a new door. In most New Jersey homes, builders follow nationally accepted standards that are well suited for typical entry doors. These sizes fit most architectural styles, make replacement easier, and avoid unnecessary framing work.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most widely used standard entry door sizes.

Width	Height	Common Use
30″	80″	Small side entry doors or narrow entrances
32″	80″	Older homes, secondary entrances
36″	80″	Most common front entry door size in NJ
36″	84″	Tall door option for homes with higher ceilings
36″	96″	Custom/luxury homes, oversized entry designs

At American Quality Remodeling, we start every project by measuring your current doorway to see if it meets these standards. If it doesn’t, we’ll help you decide whether you need to resize the frame or use a custom door. Either way, our goal is to ensure your new door fits perfectly.

Standard Entry Door Width

When we talk about width, we usually refer to the measurement of the actual door slab, not including the frame. The most common standard entry door width options are:

• 30 inches (used in narrow entryways or side doors)
• 32 inches (common in older homes)
• 36 inches (current industry standard for main entries)

In some regions of New Jersey, older homes – especially in historic areas – may still have 32″ or even 30″ wide doors. We often help clients decide whether to keep the existing size or widen the opening for better accessibility or a modern look.

If you’re not sure how to measure your door width, we recommend measuring from the inside edge of one side of the frame to the other. Don’t include trim or casing – just the space the door occupies.

Standard Entry Door Height

Most homes in the U.S., including New Jersey ones, use 80 inches as the standard entry door height. This size works well with 8-foot ceilings and leaves room for headers, sidelights, or transoms if needed.

However, taller doors – like 84″ or 96″ – are becoming more popular in luxury homes or modern designs with higher ceilings. These oversized doors make a bold statement but usually require custom framing or structural changes.

If you’re replacing a door and sticking with the standard entry door height, you’ll likely avoid costly modifications to the framing. Just be sure to measure from the floor (including the threshold) to the top of the door slab – not the top of the frame.

Thickness and Other Measurements

While width and height get the most attention, door thickness plays a major role in your entry door’s performance. The standard thickness for most entry doors is 1-3/4 inches. This provides enough strength, insulation, and support for locks and hardware.

In older homes, you might find thinner doors – usually 1-3/8 inches – but these are less secure and less energy efficient. On the other hand, some high-end or oversized doors may be 2-1/4 inches thick, especially in wood or reinforced steel models.

Jamb depth is another important factor. Most standard door jambs are 4-9/16″ or 6-9/16″, depending on the thickness of your wall. If the jamb is too shallow or too deep for your wall, you’ll run into installation and sealing issues.

Adding sidelights or transom windows also changes the overall rough opening size. Even though the main door might follow a standard-size front entry door dimension, these extras extend the frame and must be measured carefully.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Home

Picking the right door size isn’t just about matching numbers. It’s about finding a door that fits your home’s structure, style, and how you use the space.

Start by thinking about accessibility. If anyone in your home uses mobility aids – or if you plan to age in place – a 36-inch wide entry door gives you room to move safely and comfortably. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines recommend at least 32″ of clear opening space, which is tough to achieve with a 30″ or even 32″ door once hinges and swing clearance are factored in.

Architectural style also matters. Colonial homes might look better with symmetrical 32″ double doors, while contemporary homes often lean toward tall, clean-lined 36″ x 96″ designs.

When to Consider Custom Sizes

Sometimes, the standard just doesn’t cut it. If your home has a unique entryway with nontraditional framing or you want a bold design statement, a custom-sized door might be the better choice.

Custom doors come in almost any height, width, or shape but usually cost more. Materials, labor, and lead times can increase, especially with wood or specialty glass. But the investment can be worth if the goal is a perfect fit or a standout look.

Sometimes, converting a non-standard opening into a standard one is possible. This involves reframing the entryway to fit a factory-sized door, which can save money over ordering a custom door. We’ve done this for many New Jersey homeowners who wanted more affordable options without sacrificing style or performance.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Door Sizes

Picking out a new front door sounds simple – until you get into the details. We’ve seen a lot of avoidable headaches over the years, and most of them come down to a few common mistakes. Here’s what to watch out for, and how to get it right the first time.

1. Measuring the door instead of the rough opening

Many homeowners measure the existing door slab instead of the full rough opening inside the frame. That leads to ordering a door that won’t fit.

How to avoid it: Always measure the width and height of the framed opening, not just the door itself. Better yet, have a professional take precise measurements before you buy.

2. Forgetting to account for threshold height

The threshold height can affect how the door opens, especially with rugs or tight floor clearance.

How to avoid it: Include the threshold when measuring total height. Make sure the door has enough clearance to swing over the interior flooring without rubbing.

3. Choosing a door that doesn’t match your home’s architecture

Modern glass-paneled doors can look out of place on a traditional Colonial or Craftsman home.

How to avoid it: Match door style and size to your home’s architecture. If you’re unsure, ask your contractor for guidance or photo examples from similar homes in your area.

4. Not planning for future accessibility

A narrow door may be fine now, but it could be a problem later if mobility becomes an issue.

How to avoid it: Consider choosing a standard entry door width of 36 inches to ensure future comfort and accessibility. It also adds resale value.

5. Mismatching the door with sidelights or transoms

If sidelights or a transom are added later without proper planning, the frame might not support the full configuration.

How to avoid it: Decide on sidelights and transoms during the planning phase. Measure the full frame width – including extras – before ordering the door unit.

6. Ordering the wrong size and needing costly adjustments

Custom resizing after the fact can blow your budget fast.

How to avoid it: Triple-check all measurements or work with a contractor like American Quality Remodeling, who ensures everything is sized right from the start. We also help determine whether your opening fits a standard size entry door or needs a custom solution.

Choosing the right standard front door size is important for those who value their home’s style. When replacing an old door or installing a new one, knowing the standard width, height and material options will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure a trouble-free installation.

Need help choosing the right entry door?

Contact us today for a free consultation and see how easy it is to get a door that truly fits your home.