Standard French Door Sizes and Dimensions

French doors add elegance and convenience to your home’s doorways, offering a stylish way to add light and function. If you’re looking to replace or add French doors in your home, knowing the standard sizes and dimensions can help you select the right doors. We break down standard French door sizes to help you plan your project. 

What Are the Standard French Door Sizes and Dimensions?

This type of door has a standard height of 80 inches and comes in standard widths ranging from 36 to 72 inches. French doors are also available in a broad range of custom sizes, from 24 to 120 inches wide and up to 96 inches high or more. Standard-sized French doors provide straightforward installation, predictable space requirements, and ease of replacement.

French Door Sizes by Type

French doors come in a variety of styles for both interior and exterior purposes. The type of French doors you select can affect the range of standard sizes they’re available in and help you choose the right doors for your home.

Interior

When choosing French doors for interior door installation, the standard sizes run slightly smaller than with exterior doors due to common space constraints on interior walls. Interior French doors commonly range from 24 to 60 inches wide with a standard height of 80 inches.

Exterior

Exterior French doors tend to be larger than interior ones, ranging from 36 to 96 inches wide and 80 inches high. French doors are often used for exterior doors leading to decks, patios, balconies, or other outdoor spaces. 

Swinging

Swinging French doors are often used for both interior and exterior uses. These doors feature panels that swing in or out, normally without a center support, leaving the entire width of the door open when the doors are ajar. Swinging French doors come in standard sizes of 48 to 72 inches wide and 80 inches high.

Sliding

Sliding French doors can be used for interior pocket doors or exterior doors, and are often found in widths between 60 and 96 inches. Unlike other styles of sliding doors, both doors in sliding French doors typically slide, rather than one fixed door and one sliding one.

How to Measure French Door Size

To measure French door size, you’ll need to measure the height, width, and depth of the door opening and account for the door framing, which will reduce the dimensions of the door opening to give you the dimensions of the French door. A local door installation pro can measure an existing French door opening or create a new one with the right dimensions to fit the space.

Factors That Influence French Door Size

Aside from door type, a few other factors can influence French door size, including door material, ceiling height, and local building codes and regulations. 

Door Material

French doors can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass, among other materials. Larger French doors are frequently made of lighter-weight materials like aluminum or vinyl, as heavier materials like wood can be difficult to install in larger sizes and are more prone to weight-related damage over time. 

Building Codes

Some municipalities may have building codes and regulations that dictate approved size ranges for French doors. Be sure to check local codes or verify with your door installation pro to ensure you’re in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Ceiling Height

If your ceilings are higher than standard, you may want to choose French doors that are taller than the standard height of 80 inches so your doors remain proportional to the walls they’re installed in. French doors can be found measuring 96 inches or more, so you may want to consider extended height doors for taller ceilings.

What to Do if You Have the Wrong Size French Doors

The wrong size French doors can look out of proportion, fail to provide appropriate entrance and exit space, and may compromise the structure of your walls. If you’re investing in the cost to install French doors, budget for a door installation pro to ensure the job is done right. Not sure who to hire to install French doors? A door installer specializing in this type of door will have the experience and expertise needed for a perfect fit.