A swing door is the simplest and most widely used door type in residential and commercial buildings alike. It opens on hinges fixed to one side of the frame, and its size affects everything from the rough opening you frame in the wall to the hardware you order. Whether you are planning a villa project, renovating an apartment, or specifying doors for a hotel, knowing the standard swing door sizes saves time, avoids costly framing mistakes, and helps you order the right product the first time.
In the United States and other markets that follow imperial measurements, single swing doors are made in a small set of standard widths:
For exterior entries, 36 inches wide by 80 inches tall is the benchmark. Wider 42-inch and 48-inch doors are used for oversized contemporary entries, often paired as double doors.
A double swing door uses two leaves that meet in the middle. The most common configuration is two 36-inch leaves, giving a total opening of 72 inches (about 1830 mm) wide. Other common pairings include two 30-inch leaves (60 inches total) and two 32-inch leaves (64 inches total). Double doors are frequently used for main entries, French-style openings, and larger commercial entrances where a single leaf would feel too narrow.
| Configuration | Leaf size | Total opening |
|---|---|---|
| Single standard entry | 36" x 80" | 36" x 80" |
| Single secondary entry | 32" x 80" | 32" x 80" |
| Double entry (French) | Two 36" x 80" leaves | 72" x 80" |
| Double entry (narrow) | Two 30" x 80" leaves | 60" x 80" |
Markets that use metric dimensions follow a slightly different set of standards. Common European swing door widths include:
Standard heights in metric markets are typically 2000 mm, 2100 mm, and 2200 mm.
One of the most common mistakes is confusing the door slab size with the rough opening. The rough opening is the framed hole in the wall, and it must be larger than the finished door unit. As a general rule, the rough opening should be about 2 inches (50 mm) wider and 2.5 inches (63 mm) taller than the door slab. This extra space allows for shimming, leveling, and proper sealing. When you order from a manufacturer, always confirm whether the size you are quoting is the slab size, the frame size, or the rough opening.
The standard height for modern interior and exterior swing doors is 80 inches (2032 mm). Taller 84-inch (2134 mm) doors are increasingly popular in luxury homes with higher ceilings, and 96-inch (2438 mm) doors are used in dramatic contemporary entries. In terms of thickness, interior doors are typically about 1-3/8 inches (35 mm), while exterior doors are 1-3/4 inches (44 mm) or thicker to accommodate insulation, weatherstripping, and heavier hardware.
Every swing door has a "hand" — left or right — determined by which side the hinges are on when you face the door from the push side. If the hinges are on your left, it is a left-hand door; if they are on your right, it is a right-hand door. You should also decide whether the door swings inward or outward. In most residential settings, exterior doors swing inward for security and weather protection, while high-wind coastal areas often use outward-swinging doors that press tighter against the weatherstripping. Getting the handing right before ordering prevents expensive returns and delays.
While standard sizes cover most projects, real-world openings are rarely perfect. Existing frames settle, walls shift, and architects often design openings that do not match standard dimensions. This is where a manufacturer that offers custom swing doors becomes valuable. A factory that can cut aluminum profiles to your exact dimensions lets you match the door to the opening instead of rebuilding the wall to fit a standard door.
ALPES is a China-based system window and door manufacturer with a 100,000 m² production base and two manufacturing centers in Foshan and Zhaoqing, Guangdong. The company specializes in high-end custom aluminum system doors and windows, including swing doors, sliding doors, casement windows, and tilt-and-turn windows.
ALPES swing doors are built from 6060-T66 aluminum profiles with thicknesses from 1.8 mm to 2.5 mm, meeting or exceeding new national standards. Multi-chamber thermal break systems with PA66GF25 insulation strips keep K-values low for better energy efficiency. Hardware comes from trusted German brands including ROTO, Winkhaus, CMECH, and Wehag, ensuring smooth operation and a long service life. Standard color options include Ice Cream White, Aurora Gray, Starry Sky Gray, and Brown Coffee, with custom color matching available.
Because ALPES manufactures directly, customers get competitive factory pricing and the flexibility to order custom sizes, finishes, and glass configurations. Whether you need a single 36-inch entry door or a pair of oversized double swing doors for a villa project, the factory can produce exactly what your project requires.
Standard swing door sizes — from 28 to 36 inches wide for single doors, and 60 to 72 inches for double doors — cover the majority of residential and commercial applications. But the right size for your project depends on your opening, your local building codes, and your design goals. Working with a manufacturer that offers both standard and custom sizes gives you the flexibility to get it right.
If you are planning a project and need guidance on swing door sizes, or you want a quote for custom aluminum swing doors, contact the ALPES team at jennifer@alpesvip.com or via WhatsApp at +86 18200804101.
