After the facade, the exterior door is the most important element influencing the visual perception of the building. In addition to aesthetics, it is important to pay attention to the comfort of use and safety. When choosing a perfectly matching model, we must pay attention to the size of the door opening. An incorrectly measured one will result in additional work or the need to replace the door. What size should the door opening be if we decide on the most popular, 100-cm-wide exterior door? Read the advice of our experts.

What should be taken into account when choosing exterior doors?

The dimensions of external entrance door are defined by building regulations. According to these rules, the minimum width of the door leaf is 90 cm and the height – 200 cm. As a standard, it is assumed that the optimal width of the exterior door is 100 cm and the height – 200 cm. A clear opening of this size guarantees comfortable and functional use as well as safety. The entrance door should be selected in such a way that it is easy to bring in large items, to be able to leave the house without any problems in the event of an emergency and to allow even really tall people to enter. Choosing the right model also influences the perception of the entire home. Choosing a door that is too small or too large in relation to the volume of the house distorts the proportions and negatively affects the visual perception.

What should we pay attention to when measuring exterior doors?

The most common mistake is buying a door with the same dimensions as the opening in the wall. The existing nomenclature (90, 100 doors, etc.) only tells us the width of the door leaf itself. The width of the door frame must always be added to this value, which varies slightly depending on whether it is a fixed one or an adjustable one. This is why the door opening must always be larger than the door itself. When taking measurements, we should also take into account the type of floor finish and the threshold to be installed. If the floor level rises, the opening should be enlarged accordingly by a given height. If we order doors with side or top skylights, we must take this into account during any construction works.

What should the opening be for 100-cm-wide exterior door leaf?

What opening must be prepared for an exterior door with a universal width of 100 cm? It is assumed that the opening itself should be approximately 3 cm wider than the width of the door including the door frame, and 5 cm higher. Most often, each manufacturer has specific data on all details of the installation of their products, such as the size of the opening in the wall. Let’s consult all our doubts with the manufacturer of the door leaf, and let’s entrust taking the measurements to a specialist. A professional will do it taking into account all the variable parameters, such as the installation of the said floor or threshold. A specialist will easily deal with any possible lack of symmetry in the opening and other surprises. We should remember that it is very difficult to make a complaint about incorrectly ordered doors when they turn out to be too small or too big. Especially if we have chosen models in an unpopular colour and design. Sometimes we will be forced to widen or reduce the opening, which always involves additional costs, time and also unnecessary stress.

An exterior door is a considerable expense that should serve us for many years, so it’s worth taking the time to measure the door opening correctly in order to avoid unpleasant situations.