By George House/24,July,2025
Beyond the entry and exit functionality, the exterior door speaks of your home design and character. This transformative door sets the tone for how people regard your home.
It gets even more interesting if you go beyond the status quo by installing an exterior double door. With the blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics, exterior double doors provide more advantages over other doors.
Double door turns your entryway into a focal point and gives you a wider range of design options with bold and decorative elements. This more welcoming ambience serenades your home with natural light and many other reasons.
This article delves more into why you should consider installing exterior double doors for your home. Let’s get to it.
Typical Sizes and Configuration of Exterior Double Doors?
As much as double doors are the beacon of aesthetics and functionality, choosing the right one can be tricky if you fail to consider the standard sizes and dimensions. According to the International Residential Code, the standard height of a primary double door should not be less than 80 inches or 2023mm tall.
There is little flexibility when it comes to the width, which implies that a standard double door width size in England and Wales ranges between 60″ (2 x 30″) up to 82″ (2x 41″). The following table accurately summarizes standard double door sizes and dimensions.
| Panel Width (Each Door) | Total Width (Door Set) | Standard Height | Country Code Reference | Typical Use |
| 762 mm (30 inches) | 1524 mm (60 in / 5 ft) | 1981 mm (78 in) / 2032 mm (80 in) | UK (BS 4768), US (IRC R311.3) | Standard double entry, back patio |
| 813 mm (32 inches) | 1626 mm (64 in / 5 ft 4 in) | 2032 mm (80 in) | US IRC-compliant minimum accessible entry width | Front doors with improved access |
| 838 mm (33 inches) | 1676 mm (66 in / 5 ft 6 in) | 2032–2438 mm (80–96 in) | UK/US for enhanced accessibility (wheelchair access) | Modern accessible entryways |
| 864 mm (34 inches) | 1727 mm (68 in / 5 ft 8 in) | 2032–2438 mm | UK Approved Document M / ADA in US | Senior-friendly and accessible entrances |
| 914 mm (36 inches) | 1828 mm (72 in / 6 ft) | 2032–2438 mm (80–96 in) | US (IRC R311.3.1), UK (Part M), ADA compliant | Grand entries, luxury homes, wide furniture |
| 1016 mm (40 inches)** | 2032 mm (80 in / 6 ft 8 in) | 2438 mm (96 in) or more | Custom / Premium builds | High-end installations |
In terms of door configurations, exterior double doors are in various categories, such as:
- French double doors feature multiple glass panes with two hinges to swing inward or outward from the center.
- Sliding double doors are one fixed panel that slides on single or double tracks for expansive views.
- Hinged Double door: This textbook-like configuration is attached to a center hinge that opens on opposite sides. Most of the time, one door is fixed, and the other is open daily.
Reasons You Should Consider Installing Exterior Double Doors?
With the plethora of exterior doors in today’s market, double doors are a choice for a combination of form, function, and long-term value. If you plan to fix a new exterior door or replace the existing one, a double door is a worthy investment. The following are the reasons why:
1. Double Door Create a Good First Impression in the eyes of visitors
First impression matters, and it’s a lifelong rule that remains relevant. This rule is also applicable to your home. That makes your choice of exterior double door a very valid one that adds a lot of importance to your architectural design. It doesn’t matter whether your house is of contemporary or classic style, choosing a double door for your exterior can help increase the design of every home.
It doesn’t stop there; double doors also allow you to choose from a wide range of design options, especially the opportunity to incorporate them beautifully with sidelights and transoms.
2. Invites More Light and Openness Indoors
No one wants to be in a house with so much darkness. It even has an adverse effect on the eyesight. And when you think of relying on artificial lighting, the increasing energy bill is challenging to navigate. This is another reason to approve your double door choice for your entryway and other exteriors.
Double doors, especially those with French design styles that include multiple glass panels, increase the amount of light in your foyer or living room. This is important to reduce your reliance on artificial lighting, beautify and make your entryway brighter, and bring a seamless connection with the outdoors.
3. Enhanced Practicality for Daily Living
You choose practicality and ease of life when you choose a double door for your exterior. This is a fair statement in that you can bring in large items and appliances like furniture, and large deliveries with undeniable convenience, without struggling.
Also, smooth traffic flow is of utmost importance in our daily lives, especially during the break or holidays when you have an influx of visitors. Choosing an exterior double door makes life easier, reduces bottlenecks by creating a more welcoming entry and exit, and enhances airflow.
4. Boost Housing Resale Potential
The first thing every homebuyer looks at is your front door. Having a double door offers an immediate impression of luxury, value and sophistication. This is plausible because of the timeless design that exterior double doors exude.
Especially how double door blends the classic charm with the contemporary design that sets your house apart even in a competitive real estate market. So, choosing double doors for your exterior is an investment in the daily and future resale value.
5. Boost Your Home’s Security and Peace of Mind
Contrary to popular belief, exterior double doors are less secure than single doors. With the improved new imposing designs that have hit the double door markets, nowadays double doors are constructed to boost your home security and give you peace of mind.
An exterior double door is a choice for impact-resistant material that can withstand any form of forced entry. Not only that, double doors now have a dual deadbolt and flush bolt that not only improve stability but also provide security.
Beyond security, exterior double doors nowadays are built to meet hurricane and fire safety rating requirements.
6. Unlimited Design Versatility and Personalization
If you are the type who loves to personalize your exterior door designs, a double door is the best option to attain such goals. With the diverse materials options like wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, and iron, double doors provide enough options to suit your preference.
The availability of diverse material options provides the groundwork for trying out any architectural vision. For instance, a double door made with wood material offers a classic and warm stain, while a steel and iron-made double door gives you an ornate, heavy, and dirty modern aesthetic.
How to Choose the Right Exterior Double Doors for Your Home
Now that you have a reason to consider installing a double front door. It’s time to make a choice. At the same time, you need to have a checklist when choosing the right exterior double door. Here is a detailed breakdown:
1. Start by considering your home architectural style
- Go for a wooden or paneled double door for your exterior if you have a traditional home.
- A sleek aluminum exterior double door with a full glass panel is best for a modern, contemporary home.
- A classic French exterior double door is best for a French or colonial style home.
2. Look into the door security and locking mechanisms
It does not make sense to sacrifice your safety at the expense of aesthetics. That’s why you need to ensure your chosen double door has a multi-point locking system and the reinforced door frame is impact-resistant
3. Set a realistic budget
When setting a budget, consider the material size, hardware, finishing and installation cost. A basic steel or fiberglass double door costs between $1,000 $2,800, while you can get a high-end custom-made wooden double door for about $2,900 to $5,500. Installation could range between $400 and $2,000, depending on the number of personnel and the framing needs.
4. Get your measurement right.
Ensure the double door measurement fits the international standard of 60″ to 72″ in width and 80″ to 96″ in height. You can go beyond the sizes if you want a custom order. Additionally, factor in the space where you can put a sidelight or a transom in your entryway for enhanced beauty.
Make a Grand Entrance With George Group Exterior Double Door
We know you are inspired and ready to choose the double door. You can begin your double-double project by contacting the George Group’s customer-friendly double door solution team. Our team of experts will provide standard door design assistance and advice, and deliver it seamlessly into your home.
