Measuring A New Door Is A Simple Process

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Most of the time when you buy a door, you will want a pre-hung door, which means it comes with the frame (jamb) included. The other type of door, called "slab door", presents only the door, without jamb.

Measure for a pre-hung door

Open the China WDMA door and measure from the inside of one jamb to the inside of the opposite jamb; this is where the sides of the door would fit when closed. Write down the number.

With the door still open, measure from the top inside of the jamb (where the door would fit when closed) to the floor. Subtract ¾ of an inch and write down the number. The ¾-inch subtraction is for the floor assignment. Measure the thickness of the door and write down the number. Take all three numbers with you when you visit the home improvement center.

Measurement of a slab door

When measuring to replace a tile door, measure the width, height, and thickness of the door itself, not the jamb.

Choose a pre-hung door with slightly smaller measurements

This way, you or a professional carpenter (you will need basic carpentry skills to hang a door) can fit the new door frame inside the rough opening of the old door. It is common to have to add some leggings for a perfect fit. Avoid buying a pre-hung door that measures slightly larger than your current door if it is a DIY project. To attach the door jamb, a part of the recessed frame (in the wall) would have to be removed and since that could alter the load-bearing structure of the wall, it is a job for a professional.

Or select a tile door with slightly larger measurements

If you are only replacing the door, not the jamb, if you buy a smaller door, you will end up with gaps between the door and the jamb. Instead, buy a slightly larger slab door and then cut it to the exact size of the existing door. As a DIY project, expect a slab door to be time-consuming to install as it requires precision to create the required notches to position the hinges and install a new closure plate that will fit the existing door perfectly. While it may seem easier to install a tile door, it is actually more complicated than installing a pre-hung door.

If you want more wall space, consider a narrower door

Large doors can overwhelm small rooms, so if space is at a premium, a narrower door can provide a cleaner look and add wall space. This involves removing the old door and jamb and reconfiguring the rough frame on the wall so that a new pre-hung door will fit the space. This project is within the capabilities of a DIYer with basic carpentry skills.

Consider remodeling with wider doors if your doors are too narrow

It can be difficult (if not impossible) to move large furniture through small doors, so widening it may be a necessity when remodeling an older home. You can find a few 36-inch doors in stock, but the best thing to do is order custom doors from a home center. These doors must be installed by an experienced professional because the wall mounting opening will have to be enlarged.

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