Buying a front door is admittedly not something that most people do frequently, if ever. Unless the current front door on your property is failing, there’s often little reason to pay for a brand new front door unless you want the change of appearance.
With this purchase being such a rare occurrence for many, it can be difficult to get a grasp of what needs to be considered and checked before searching out the replacement. For instance, what about front door sizes, and what’s the UK standard? Do you need to measure your doorway first? Let’s take a closer look.
Is there a standard front door size in the UK?
There are some standard sizes of front door for UK homes, but there is no single standard size. This means that you mustn’t simply look at what a shop stocks or what the houses on your street all seem to use.
Look at it this way: buying the perfect front door, getting it delivered, and having your fitter turn up only to discover that it’s the wrong size would be a waste of a day and far too much unnecessary stress.
Whilst there is no single standard measurement, there is one aspect of UK front door sizes that can be relied upon. The standard height for UK front doors is usually around 1981mm, though some doors may be taller.
Widths can vary much more, with 711.2mm, 762mm, 812.8mm, and 914.4mm doors all being considered different standard widths of door in the UK.
838mm door widths are more common for public buildings, as this width complies with regulations regarding disabled accessibility.
Does my front door need to be a standard size?
Unless you need to abide by a requirement such as disability access like mentioned above, there’s so strong or specific reason you should need to have a standard size of front door. Though it may make installing a front door simpler if you’re going like-for-like in terms of size, a brand-new install to go with a renovation job or a home overhaul doesn’t specifically need a standard size.
That having been said, know your measurements! Upgrading to a larger door means also needing a larger door frame, and there needs to be adequate space without encroaching on windows or property boundaries.
If you’re unsure, get the help of a qualified installer or buildings expert to give you some guidance and see that your idea isn’t spoiled by poor planning or misunderstood numbers.
Is there a minimum size my door needs to be?
In ordinary circumstances you shouldn’t need to abide by a strict size for your front door. However, there are situations in which you may need to seek extra permissions or seek guidance, for instance:
Moving your door
If you’re taking the opportunity to move the location of your front door as you have it replaced, you’ll need to contact the local authority and gain planning permission. This is applicable even if the door is moving a relatively small distance and still occupies the same general space on the front of your home.
If in doubt, contact the local authority and check.
Covenants
A covenant on your property is a pre-existing rule which states what specifically can or cannot be done on the land. Any covenants on your property should have been made clear to you by conveyancers when it was purchased.
While unlikely, there’s always the chance that a covenant on your property could affect whether you get much choice in the location and/or size of your front door.
Listed property
If you live in a listed property or a property in a designated conservation area, you may need to abide by certain requirements when replacing your front door. New doors may need to match the style and spirit of the original door or other properties in the area, which could rule out certain doors and sizes.
New doorway
If you’re constructing a brand-new doorway for your new door, this will also require planning permission, even if it's centred on the same location. Replacing the door in the same location doesn’t require permission, but it’s best to be honest and contact the local authority if any renovation or rebuilding is taking place.
Do building regulations affect front door sizes?
Building regulations state that a replacement front door’s threshold should not be smaller than the existing door. In other words, it must be equally or more accessible, but must not be less accessible even if no disabled persons live at the property.
Additionally, building regulations also advise that external doors are at least 80 inches high with at least 36 inches width.
It’s unlikely that you’ll buy a door from a respectable UK vendor which doesn’t meet regulations, but it pays to be aware of this all the same and contact your local authority if in doubt.
How do I choose the best front door size?
The simplest way to ensure your new front door will be a suitable size for your home is to break out a tape measure and get to know your current numbers.
Measure your existing front door and doorway. Open it out and take note of how much room it allows, whether this works and is something you’d like to keep up or if it’s something that needs to change.
If your current door seems to be a standard size and you’re happy to stay with it, then your job is a simple one.
Replacing your front door with Valeanto’s Iron Doors
Let us help you with upgrading to a quality iron door. We can advise on all types of front door sizes and do our best to match your current set up to something new.
To find out more about our expert metal door services, contact us today.