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How Thick Should a Door Frame Be? (All You Need to Know)

Finding the right size for the ideal door size for your home is not an easy task. Since the size of the door varies from region to region, these need to be measured very carefully. In this article, we will discuss the thickness of a door frame. 

How thick should a door frame be? 

Generally, the average thickness for most of the front door frame sizes should be 2 inches thick. On the other hand, the standard measurements for the thickness of a door frame are 1 3/4 inches. It is advised to prevent the door from keeping too far from the measurement.

Whenever you consider installing a new door in your house, you need to consider manufacturers.

Some of the common factors that you might keep in consideration are the style of the doors, is it going to be an ensuing door or an outswing door, and even the colors.

After you are done with all these requirements, now you have to start measuring. Measuring the door size along with the frames is crucial work. It can be difficult for you if you don’t know how to do that.

If you cannot get the right measurements for your door as well as its frames, it will not fit on the wall and will not close properly.

So, whenever you search and measure for the standard size of exterior or interior doors, you need to measure the thickness of the frame as well.

The door jamb means the frame that is installed in the wall and helps to support the door via hinges. Measuring the door jamb is very important. Below is a brief discussion on a different type of door frame measurements: 

UPVC Door Frame: 

Generally, the UPVC door frame is available in different thicknesses, but in most cases, the double-glazed sealed units of PVC door frames are either 20mm, 24mm, or 28mm thick. 

Pocket Door Frame: 

Generally, the thickness of the pocket door frame is two different ways. It is measured by its width and height.

Usually, the standard pocket door thickness is about 2 inches, but based on measurements you can choose to add more thickness if you want.

Aluminum door frame: 

The aluminum door frame is usually made of aluminum and the width thickness of the door frame should be not less than 1 1/2 inches.

Sliding door frame: 

Standard door jamb door or frame thickness for sliding doors should be 1 3/4 inches. But you should always keep +/-1 16 tolerance for the frames.

Wooden door frame: 

If you are willing to install a wooden door, you should consider the frame to be at least 20MM to 25MM thick.

Composite door frame:

Generally, the standard thickness for a composite door frame should be around 44 millimeters.

This will provide maximum strength and security. But if you are willing to add another 10% thickness with that, providing the door with 48MM thickness will offer a solid timber core.

Hollow-core door: 

Generally, the standard thickness for a hollow core door should be around 1 3/8 or 1 3/4 inches.

Exterior Door Frame: 

Most people are very conscious of the frame thickness of their exterior door. Generally, the thickness of the exterior door should be around 1 3/4 inches.

Interior Door Frame: 

Without the properly measured interior door frame, the doors will not close properly. The standard thickness for an indoor door frame should be around 4-9/16 inches.

How thick is a standard door frame? 

It is important to measure the height and width of the frame. In most cases, the standard interior door jamb thickness on pre-hung doors should be around 4-9/16 inches. However, the thickness may vary depending on the types of doors.

In addition to that, it is important to measure the thickness of the door frame so that the doors can properly be operated. If the door jamb or frame is not aligned with the door, it will not be able to operate smoothly and may not close at all.

When measuring the standard door frame, you should not include the trim in your measurement. In some cases, you may want to add a few millimeters to your door frame thickness so that it can be more durable and stronger enough.

Adding more thickness to your door frame will make it impact-resistant and help you with better protection. Materials the thickness of a door frame can vary.

3 factors that determine the door frame thickness 

There are a few factors that are needed to be determined before measuring the thickness of a door frame.

It is important to measure the techniques of a door frame so that the doors can fit inside the frame properly and can be operated smoothly.

In addition to that, there are different types of door frames with different measurements available.

So, a specific type of measurement will not work on all types of doors. Generally, the standard thickness for most of the front door frames is two inches. But it is totally fine if you want to keep the thickness about 1 3/4 inches.

Adding thicker door frames will provide you with more protection and safety. In addition to that, it will provide you with better strength to hold the doors properly.

Below is a brief discussion on a few factors that are should be determined when measuring the door thickness: 

Door size: 

The first thing you need to determine that which size of door you will be using. Depending on that, you need to measure the frame keeping a few millimeters gap from the size of the door.

Door thickness: 

The thickness of the door should always be determined before figuring out the thickness of your frames. If the door is thicker than the frame, it will not be able to close properly. Both the thickness of the door and frames should be the same.

Door type: 

You need to know which type of door you will be using on the wall. Depending on the inswing or outswing door, the positions of door frames may change. So it is very important to take care of these factors.

What size should a door frame be? 

Generally, the size of a door frame varies depending on the region. In the United States, the most common size for the door is 80 and just high and 30 inches wide with two inches of thickness.

However, this does not mean that all the doors in the United States have the same dimension. There’s a chance that the door can be less than 30 inches wide and higher as much as 96 inches.

However, the thickness will always depend on the material that is used to make the door. It is highly recommended to use the same type of thickness for the door frame as it is used in the door.

In addition to that, you need to make sure whether you are going to use in swing or outswing door because this will determine. The thickness of a specific portion of your door frame.

However, you always need to remember that the standard size for the door frame should be around 2 inches, whereas the door should be at least 36 by 80 inches in dimension.

How do you measure a door frame thickness? 

When you decide to install a door in your house, you need to measure the door frame as well.

The right-sized door frame will be able to fit in a door properly. In addition to that, it will help to adjust the door inside of the frame accurately so that it can both act as an inswing or outswing door.

Measuring the door frame thickness can be a difficult job if you do not have proper expertise in it. As a result, when you try to place the door inside a door frame, it may not fit properly. Follow the steps below to measure a door frame thickness: 

Measure the door height and width: 

First of all, you need to measure the dimension of the door by using a measuring tape. Carefully measure the height and width of a door. 

Measure the door thickness: 

By measuring the dimension of the door, you can understand the dimension of the frame. Now you simply need to measure the door thickness. The same thickness will apply to the frame. 

Add extra 2 inches on height and width: 

After you are done measuring the thickness and height and width of the door, simply add extra 2 inches on both sides of the door’s width and height. This space will be allocated for the frame.

Final thoughts

Generally, the thickness of a door frame depends on the type of door you are willing to adjust on it. But the average thickness for most of the door frames should be around 2 inches. However, the standard measurements for the door frame thickness can be 1 3/4 inches as well.