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The most common size for an interior door is 80 inches tall and 28 to 32 inches wide. However, a standard interior door can measure anywhere from 24 to 36 inches wide, depending on its intended use and the available space. According to most building codes in the U.S., a door must be at least 80 inches tall and 24 inches wide.

When choosing a door for the space between your garage and house, steel is your best bet for fire safety. While wood—and sometimes glass—doors are common, they have lower fire-ratings. Fire-rated steel doors can withstand flames for up to three hours—double what wood can manage (90 minutes). Glass, while non-combustible, can crack under extreme heat. Steel may cost more, but it also offers the best protection. Steel isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing choice, but as long as your door meets the International Residential Code (IRC) standards, it’ll do its job in protecting your family and home.

A door sill is the bottom portion of your door frame, while a threshold is the transition piece that separates the two types of flooring between rooms, or serves as the transition between the interior and exterior on an exterior door. The threshold sits on top of the door sill. A kick plate is a protective plate that sits against the face of a door to prevent damage to the door from feet and shoes. You’ll usually only find kick plates on exterior doors, while every door has a door sill, and most exterior and interior doors have a threshold.

Ideally, a gate should be able to swing both in and out. However, if it can only open in one direction, it is generally best for it to swing inward. This is often the safest option, especially for deck gates near steps, as you'll want the gate to swing away from the stairs. An inward swing also prevents the gate from opening into a public space, like a sidewalk, and can be more convenient when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.

There are exceptions, however. The layout of your property may require a different approach. For example, if your property is on a slope, the gate may not be able to swing inward. You should also ensure the gate can open fully without colliding with any objects or blocking access to other areas. For a backyard garden gate where public access isn't a concern, the direction it swings is largely a matter of personal preference. Finally, always check your local building codes, as they may have specific requirements for which way a gate must swing.