What Is Standard Size For French Doors In Feet

With their characteristic large glass panes and narrow stiles, these glazed double doors evoke European charm. But before picking out hardware and planning the big install, it’s important to understand what constitutes a standard size for French doors.

This comprehensive guide will break down the important dimensions of exterior and interior French doors. You’ll learn about:

• Typical heights and widths for standard interior and exterior sets
• Custom sizing options to fit any space
• Dimensions for sliding patio and specialty French door styles
• Cost considerations and variables by size
• Measuring your space correctly for new French doors
• Installation and delivery best practices

By the end, you’ll have the facts to choose the perfect French door style and size to suit your home. Time to let the fresh air in! Now, let’s dive into those all-important standard French door dimensions.

Typical Dimensions

When it comes to size, French doors come in standard dimensions for both interior and exterior settings. Understanding these widths and heights will ensure you get the right fit for your space.

Exterior French Door Sizes

Ideal for leading out to patios, decks, and porches, exterior French doors tend to be on the larger side. Here are the key measurements to know:

• Common heights:
  • 80 inches (approx. 6 feet 8 inches)
  • 84 inches (exactly 7 feet)
  • 96 inches (exactly 8 feet)
• Typical widths: 60-72 inches (5-6 feet) per door
• Total widths: 120-144 inches (10-12 feet) for a double door

So, for a standard set of exterior French doors, you’ll usually see dimensions around the following:

• 80 x 72 inches (most popular)
• 84 x 72 inches
• 96 x 72 inches

The 80-inch height (around 6 foot 8) fits nicely under a standard 8-foot ceiling without appearing squat. Meanwhile, widths of around 5-6 feet per door allow for wide walkways and sweeping views.

For quantity, the classic exterior French door setup is the double door – two active doors side-by-side. This provides a grand entryway, letting you open just one door when desired.

Interior French Door Sizes

For joining rooms indoors, interior French doors favour narrower widths but can reach soaring heights. Common measurements are:

• Typical height: 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches)
• Typical widths:
  • 36-48 inches (3-4 feet) per door
  • 72-120+ inches (6-10+ feet) total double door width

So a standard interior set may be 80 x 60 inches (6 feet 8 inches x 5 feet). But for large, open-concept spaces, widths up to 12 feet or beyond are possible.

The narrower stile and rail construction makes interior French doors ideal for seamlessly connecting rooms without “closing off” the space. And the impressive heights add drama while allowing traditional 8-foot mouldings to continue uninterrupted above.

Now that you know standard exterior and interior sizes, let’s explore how to customize your French doors.

Custom Sizing Options

The beauty of French doors is their versatility – they can be customized to fit your space and style perfectly. Beyond the standard sizes, you have many options to fine-tune the dimensions to your needs.

Standard vs. Custom Sizes

French door manufacturers offer standard-size models as well as made-to-order custom options. Custom sizing allows you to specify non-standard dimensions for an exact fit.

Some key differences:

• Standard sizes are pre-made, often in stock and ready to ship immediately. This makes them quicker and more budget-friendly.
• Custom sizes take 2-6 weeks to manufacture but provide precision dimensions tailored to your opening.
• Custom doors incur added costs for the customization, so expect to pay 10-30% more than standard sizes.

Either standard or custom, accurate measurements are essential for a proper French door fit. We’ll cover measuring best practices later in this guide.

Height Options

When it comes to height, consider both aesthetics and function. Typical options include:

• 80 inches (~6 foot 8): The most common standard height. Allows room for traditional 8-foot mouldings above.
• 84 inches (7 feet): Gains you 4 extra inches of height for a grander feel.
• 96 inches (8 feet): A full 8-foot opening makes a dramatic statement but may require altering ceiling mouldings.
• Extra tall: For soaring spaces, doors up to 108 inches (9 feet) are possible. Adds emphasis, but harder to reach top hardware.

Scale drawings of different heights can help visualize proportions. Remember to account for transoms or other design elements, too.

Width Options

For width, it depends on your value of openness or privacy:

Narrow Widths (36-48 inches per door)

Pros:

• Increased privacy between rooms
• Easier to furnish small rooms
• Cost savings (less materials)

Cons:

• Limited views and light
• Can make rooms feel cramped

Wide Widths (60-72 inches per door)

Pros:

• Expansive views
• Invites light and airflow
• Grand, elegant proportions

Cons:

• Reduced privacy
• Harder to heat/cool open rooms
• Increased cost for larger doors

Expanding Width

For extra wide openings, options like sidelines and pocket doors allow flexibility:

• Sidelites – Narrow fixed panels flanking the doors. Expand the width without sacrificing the walkway.
• Pocket doors – Doors slide into the walls, opening 100% of the space. Great for small rooms.

Now that you’ve weighed height and width choices let’s look at sliding and specialty French door sizes.

Sliding & Specialty French Doors

Beyond traditional hinged doors, sliding and specially shaped French door styles suit your needs.

Sliding Patio Doors

For indoor/outdoor living spaces, sliding patio doors offer a smooth gliding action and wide openings without swing clearance requirements.

Typical dimensions:

• Widths: 9 ft (108 in) or 12 ft (144 in)
• Heights: floor to ceiling, often 80-96 inches

Pros:

• Expansive views and access to outdoor areas
• Space saving – no need for swing clearance
• Smooth sliding operation
• Can pocket the doors into the walls

Cons:

• Generally, only 2-panel doors, not French double doors
• Less ventilation than swing doors when partially opened
• Limited height adjustments since tracks are fixed

Sliding patio doors provide excellent light and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Just be aware that sizes are more limited than hinged doors.

Specialty Shapes

Beyond rectangles, French doors can feature custom architectural shapes:

• Arched top doors in half-circle or elliptical designs
• Radius corners for a soft, contemporary look
• Geometric-shaped doors like angles and trapezoids
• Curved doors with unique shapes like circles or wavy patterns

Pros:

• Distinctive, upscale aesthetic
• Can match unique openings or architectural themes
• Made-to-order customization

Cons:

• Substantially higher cost due to customization
• Limited replacement and adjustment options
• Difficult for DIY installation

Specialty-shaped French doors make a bold design statement but require expert installation and higher budgets.

Now that we’ve covered special styles let’s move on to costs, measurements, and installation considerations.

Costs & Considerations

Beyond dimensions, costs and installation factors should guide your French door selection. Let’s break down what to expect.

Cost by Size

Budget is often a deciding factor for home projects. For French doors, several variables affect cost:

• Materials – Wood, fiberglass, or vinyl. Composite and steel cost less than wood.
• Quality – Entry-level, mid-range, premium options. Higher grades have sturdier construction.
• Customization – Standard vs. custom sizes. Made-to-order costs 10-30% more.
• Hardware – Upcharges for decorative handles premium finishes.
• Accessories – Sidelites, transoms and installation increase overall budget.

General cost ranges:

• Economy vinyl or fiberglass: $300-$800 per door
• Mid-range wood: $800-$1,500 per door
• Premium wood: $1,500-$3,000+ per door
• High-end custom: $3,000-$10,000+ for the set

Bigger is not always better for French doors. Oversize doors require extra materials and labor. Focus on the right proportions for your home rather than maximum dimensions.

Measuring for French Doors

Precise measurements ensure proper sizing and install. Key dimensions needed:

• Opening height and width – From top to bottom and side to side. For height, check multiple spots.
• Rough opening – The framing space for the doors. At least 1-inch wider and taller than the doors.
• Clearances – Space for swinging open without hitting walls or fixtures. At least 12-18 inches recommended.

Consult an installer for the full measurement process. On custom jobs, they may visit your site to measure.

Installation & Delivery

You’ll need to decide between DIY or professional install:

• DIY costs less but requires skills in framing, trimming, and hanging doors properly. Only advised for simple swaps of existing jambs.
• Professional install has added cost but ensures proper integration into weather barriers and home systems. Essential for new openings or custom work.

Most quality manufacturers offer free shipping. Lead time ranges from 2 days for in-stock models up to 6 weeks for custom orders.

Factor these considerations into your budget and timeline before purchasing French doors.

In this guide, you’ve learned the standard interior and exterior size conventions, from common widths and heights to total double-door spans.

We covered how custom sizing can help tailor French doors to your needs and architecture. You now know what to expect cost-wise based on materials, quality, and door dimensions. And we provided tips for accurate measurements and professional installation.

Armed with the facts on standard French door sizes and customization options, you can confidently assess if these elegant doors are the right choice for enhancing your home’s ambiance.

Just be sure to measure twice and hire professional installers for any new openings or custom work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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