Replacing your front door can give your entryway a much-needed facelift and reduce energy leaks. In most cases, this venture is a fairly simple DIY project that even the most novice of “DIY-ers” can achieve.
But there are a couple of things you should keep in mind when measuring your door, so you don’t end up with a careless error and so you can install your door effortlessly.
Every good DIY-er knows the “measure twice, cut once” rule works for all projects involving your home. So, throw away the handyman’s number, grab your measuring tape and let’s get started with a few tips to keep in mind when measuring to replace your exterior door.
Decide What Kind of Door
Start by deciding which door you need for your entryway. Remember, doors come in many different styles and with various options for you to decide, based on function or curb appeal.
From single to single with a sideline or a double door, the differences could influence the area of your door space, meaning, properly measuring the area of your door is important to your final lection.
4 Tips to Proper Measuring
- Door Size
Determine the dimensions of your door by simply measuring the width and height of your old existing door. Feel free to round up to the nearest inch to ensure you easily find a proper fit for the new door.
Example: If your door measures 35-7/8″ wide and 79-1/2″ tall, you’ll be looking for a 36″ x 80″ door.
- Jamb Size
Measure and record the jamb width of your door area. This dimension starts with measuring the backside of the interior trim to the back side of the exterior trim.
Specify the jamb measurement when pre-selecting your door. This measurement ensures that the interior trim will fit properly without the need for jamb extensions, adding more unnecessary effort to your project.
- Rough Opening
Recording the measurement of the rough opening of your door frames is important because it lets you know what the exact space you are working with is. Start measuring from the opening width between the framing and then proceed by measuring from the top of the opening to the bottom of the sill.
You may need to remove the interior trim to get the most precise measurement. Keep in mind, whether you are replacing your sidelines, you may not need to include these measurements. If you do replace them, be sure to adjust accordingly.
- Exterior Opening
Measure the outer exterior castings and note the dimensions from the top of the trim to the bottom of the sill.
Cross-compare these measurements with the new door to be sure you have a flush fit. Standard pre-hung doors have 2-inch-wide molding trim.
If the standard is too small, you do have a few options to fill the space:
- Most chosen solution, select a door with wider flat casting to cover the opening space.
- Order a door with standard molding and fill the gap with decorative strips that overlaps.
- Order a door without the exterior molding and make your own to ensure a flush fit.
Once you have measured all the area of your door, and checked the measurements twice, you are safe to move on to installing your new door.
Replacing your front door is a simple “do-it-yourself” project that, with the proper measuring, can be a simple Saturday project.
Looking for the perfect front door replacement for your home? Trimlite is here to help with a wide selection of high-quality, energy-efficient doors that will add the finishing touch to the entrance of your home. Shop our collection today!
