Guides

How to Measure for a Door

A door that's the wrong size or the wrong swing gets sent back — and back-orders take weeks. Five minutes with a tape measure prevents both.

Section A

Measuring an existing door (slab)

Measure the door itself, not the opening. Take three numbers:

·Width — across the face of the door, hinge edge to latch edge.
·Height — top to bottom.
·Thickness — measured on the edge. Standard is 1 3/8" (interior) or 1 3/4" (exterior and solid-core interior).

Then match those measurements to a door code — open the Doors page for the size guide.

Section B

Measuring a rough opening

The rough opening is the framed hole in the wall — stud to stud, subfloor to header. It's larger than the door so the frame (jamb) has room to shim and sit plumb.

Rule of thumb (pre-hung)

About 2" wider and 2 1/2" taller than the door itself.

Example: a 3068 door (36" × 80") → rough opening about 38" × 82 1/2".

Always call us to confirm before you frame — (432) 955-0007. Pocket doors and specialty units are different.

Section C

Hollow core or solid core?

Knock on it. Really — this is the fastest test.

·Hollow core — sounds hollow, feels light (~25 lb). Standard for bedrooms and closets.
·Solid core — sounds dull, feels heavy (60+ lb). Blocks sound. Good for bathrooms, offices, master bedrooms.

Section D

What thickness do I have?

Measure the door on the edge, not the face.

·1 3/8" — standard interior door.
·1 3/4" — exterior, garage-to-house, and solid-core interior.

Section E

What you'll need to tell us

✓Size — the door code (like 3068) or the width × height in inches.
✓Hollow core or solid core.
✓Thickness (1 3/8" or 1 3/4").
✓Which hand — use the door handing tool if you're unsure.
✓Hinge finish (oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, brass, satin brass, satin nickel).
✓Style (6-panel, shaker, barn, etc.).
✓Single door or double door (twin) unit.

When in doubt

Call (432) 955-0007. We'd rather answer three questions on the phone than build the wrong unit.