Double Door Sizes: What Fits Standard Openings
When a single door is not enough, double doors provide the clearance needed for furniture, foot traffic, or simply a grander entrance. For exterior and interior applications, the standard width for a pair of doors is 60 to 72 inches (152–183 cm). The standard height is typically 80 inches (203 cm), though 84-inch and 96-inch options are common in new construction and custom builds.
Here is a quick reference for typical sizes:
| Application | Common Width | Common Height | Rough Opening Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior double doors | 60–72 in (152–183 cm) | 80 in (203 cm) | 62–74 in (157–188 cm) |
| Exterior double doors | 60–72 in (152–183 cm) | 80–96 in (203–244 cm) | 62–74 in (157–188 cm) |
| Wide custom sets | 72–96 in (183–244 cm) | 96 in (244 cm) | +2 in (+5 cm) over door width |
The rough opening is always larger than the door slab itself. You need about 2 inches (5 cm) of extra width and height to accommodate the frame and allow for shimming during installation. For example, a pair of 30-inch doors (60 inches total) requires a rough opening around 62 inches wide.
Metric Equivalents and Regional Standards
If you are sourcing from outside North America, note that metric sizing differs. A common European double door set is 1,500 mm wide by 2,100 mm high (about 59 × 83 inches). In regions using metric standards, module sizes often increase in 100 mm increments. Always confirm whether your supplier uses nominal dimensions (the door slab) or structural dimensions (the frame) when comparing quotes.
Panel Configurations: From 6-Panel to Flat Designs
The panel design affects both the look and the structural rigidity of the door. A 6-panel double door refers to each slab having three raised or recessed panels stacked vertically, repeated on both sides of the pair. This is a traditional style suited to colonial, craftsman, and transitional architecture.
Other common configurations include:
- Flat or flush panels — smooth surfaces, often used for modern interiors or as a base for custom cladding.
- 2-panel and 4-panel designs — fewer panels means cleaner lines; 2-panel is common for exterior units with large glass lites.
- Full-lite glass — each door is mostly glass, with a narrow stile and rail frame. Popular for patios and exterior entrances where natural light matters.
- Dutch and divided-lite — segmented glass or small panels for farmhouse or traditional looks.
The panel configuration does not change the overall door dimensions, but it does affect the weight. A solid 6-panel wood door is significantly heavier than a hollow-core flush door of the same size. Heavier doors require stronger hinges and, for exterior use, a frame rated for the additional load.
Retractable Screens for Double Doors: What to Know
A retractable screen for double doors is a mesh panel that pulls across the opening when you want ventilation without letting in insects. Unlike fixed screen doors, retractable screens disappear into a cassette mounted on one side of the frame when not in use.
How the System Works
The screen is attached to a spring-loaded roller. A handle on the leading edge pulls the mesh across the full width of the double door opening. The leading edge engages with a magnetic or latch strike plate on the opposite jamb. When you want the doors fully open, the screen retracts into its housing, leaving the entire opening clear.
Sizing and Configuration Limits
Retractable screens are available for double doors up to 96 inches wide and 96 inches high. For wider openings, some manufacturers offer a split system where two screens meet in the middle. This is common for openings wider than 96 inches, as a single screen that wide becomes difficult to operate smoothly and may sag.
Key considerations when planning a retractable screen for double doors:
- Track placement — The screen cassette mounts on the interior or exterior face of the frame. Interior mounting is more common for exterior doors, protecting the mechanism from weather.
- Pet and child safety — Screens are not impact-resistant. They stop insects, not people or animals. If you need a barrier, consider a sliding screen door system with a rigid frame instead.
- Wind resistance — Wide screens catch wind like a sail. For exposed exterior locations, verify the screen fabric’s wind rating. Standard fiberglass mesh is fine for sheltered patios; heavier vinyl-coated polyester mesh handles more exposure.
Price Ranges for Double Doors by Size and Material
Pricing for double doors varies widely based on material, panel design, glass type, and whether the unit includes a frame. For a factory-direct purchase, here are typical starting points:
| Material | Interior (per pair) | Exterior (per pair) | With Retractable Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow-core wood | $200–$400 | Not recommended | — |
| Solid wood (pine, hemlock) | $600–$1,200 | $1,200–$2,500 | +$300–$600 |
| Aluminum thermal-break | — | $1,500–$3,500 | +$400–$800 |
| Steel or fiberglass | — | $1,000–$2,800 | +$400–$800 |
These figures assume standard sizes (60–72 inches wide). Custom widths, exotic wood species, impact-rated glass, and multi-point locking systems each add 10–30% to the base price.
What Drives the Price
For exterior double doors, the frame material matters as much as the door itself. A thermal-break aluminum frame with polyamide strips provides better insulation than a standard aluminum frame. The glass specification—double-glazed, low-E coating, argon fill, tempered or laminated—also changes the cost. A laminated glass pair with impact rating can add $800–$1,500 over standard double glazing.
For retractable screen integration, the price depends on the width and the screen material. A standard fiberglass screen for a 60-inch opening costs less than a pet-resistant or solar-screen mesh for a 96-inch opening. Motorized retractable screens add $500–$1,000 per unit over manual operation.
Specifications: Materials, MOQ, and Lead Time
When buying double doors in bulk for a construction project or renovation, the procurement parameters are as important as the product specs.
Material Selection
- Solid wood — Best for interior and covered exterior applications. Mahogany, oak, and teak offer the best dimensional stability. Pine is economical but requires proper sealing for exterior use.
- Thermal-break aluminum — The standard for exterior double doors in commercial and high-end residential projects. The aluminum profile is separated by a polyamide thermal break, reducing heat transfer. Powder-coated finishes in black, bronze, or custom RAL colors are standard.
- Aluminum-clad wood — A wood interior with an aluminum exterior shell. This combines aesthetics with low maintenance but is the most expensive option.
MOQ and Lead Time
For factory-direct sourcing, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) typically starts at 10 to 20 units for standard sizes. Custom sizes and finishes may require a higher MOQ or a sample approval process before mass production.
Lead times depend on the material and order size:
- Standard aluminum double doors — 25–35 days after sample approval.
- Solid wood doors — 35–50 days, depending on wood drying and finishing requirements.
- Custom sizes with unique glass or hardware — 45–60 days.
Shipping adds 20–40 days depending on the destination port. For urgent projects, confirm whether the factory offers split shipments (air freight for samples, sea freight for bulk) or partial container loading.
Quality Checks Before Shipment
Before committing to a supplier, verify that they perform pre-shipment testing. For exterior doors, this should include:
- Air-tightness testing — Measures air leakage through the closed door assembly.
- Water-tightness testing — Simulates rain and wind pressure to check for leaks.
- Wind resistance testing — Confirms the door can withstand design wind loads without permanent deformation.
These tests are particularly important for retractable screen double doors, as the screen housing creates an additional penetration point in the building envelope.
Additional Considerations: Black Finishes and Outdoor Use
Black double doors are a popular choice for exterior applications because the dark finish hides dirt and complements most architectural styles. In aluminum doors, black is achieved through powder coating. The finish is durable, but dark colors absorb more heat. In direct sun, a black aluminum door surface can reach temperatures high enough to cause slight expansion. The frame must be designed with adequate clearance and thermal breaks to prevent binding.
For exterior double doors, consider the following before finalizing your specification:
- Sill and threshold — Exterior double doors need a low-profile sill that handles water runoff. An adjustable threshold with a thermal break prevents cold air infiltration at the bottom.
- Multi-point locking — A single center lock is insufficient for wide double doors. Multi-point locks engage at the top, middle, and bottom, preventing warping and improving security.
- Door swing — Decide whether both doors are active (both open) or one is fixed (passive). For high-traffic commercial entrances, both doors should be active with an astragal (seal strip) where they meet.
- Egress and clear width — If the double door is a required exit, check local building codes. Many jurisdictions require a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches when one door is open, which affects the individual door widths you can specify.
Why Sizing Errors Happen and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake when ordering double doors is measuring the finished opening instead of the rough opening. The finished opening is what you see after drywall or plaster is installed. The rough opening is the framed gap behind the wall finish. Always measure the rough opening and subtract for the frame, not the other way around.
Another frequent error is ignoring floor leveling. If the floor slopes toward the exterior, the door frame may need to be shimmed on one side, which changes the effective height of the opening. Measure at multiple points across the width and use the largest dimension.
How We Meet These Standards as a Factory
As a door and window manufacturer, our approach to double doors is to treat sizing as an engineering problem, not a catalog selection. We supply thermal-break aluminum double doors, solid wood pairs, and system windows for both residential and construction projects.
When you send us your rough opening dimensions, we confirm the frame profile and fitting structure to match your local building codes. This matters because a door that meets US standards may not comply with European or Australian egress requirements. Our adjustable profile structure lets us adapt the same door design to different regulatory environments without redesigning the entire unit.
For retractable screen integration, we factory-mount the screen cassette to the door frame rather than shipping it as a bolt-on accessory. This ensures the screen track aligns perfectly with the door stile, which is the most common point of failure in field-installed systems.
We also handle the logistics side of bulk orders. Every shipment includes a packing list, proforma invoice, and full customs documentation. We ship both FCL and LCL, depending on your order volume. Before any container leaves our factory, each unit undergoes air-tightness, water-tightness, and wind resistance testing.
If your project requires custom sizes, specific glass performance ratings, or a particular powder-coat color for the frame, send us your specifications. We will confirm the lead time and provide a detailed quote based on the actual manufacturing requirements.
For a direct discussion of your double door sizes and pricing, contact our team at Leon Wu or visit our contact page to submit your project details.
