How to Measure for a Steel Door
The short answer: A steel door is measured from the door opening, not from the existing door leaf. Three measurements are needed: clear width, clear height and wall thickness. If they are taken incorrectly, the frame will not fit the opening — which is why the manufacturer takes the measurements and carries the responsibility.
Why measure the opening rather than the leaf?
The existing leaf sits inside its own frame and is smaller than the true opening. The new door goes into the opening frame and all. Order from the leaf dimensions and the door comes up short. The correct reference is always the rough structural opening.
Which three measurements are taken?
- Clear width: Between the left and right faces of the opening. Measured at three heights (top, middle, bottom), and the narrowest is used.
- Clear height: From the finished floor to the top edge of the opening. If the floor covering is not yet laid, its thickness is deducted.
- Wall thickness: Determines the width of the frame. Plaster, marble or exterior cladding are factored in where present.
What else does the site survey check?
Measurements alone are not enough. During the survey we also assess:
- Opening direction: Whether the door will open left or right, inward or outward. Stairs, radiators and cupboard positions decide this.
- Floor conditions: Threshold level and floor slope. Pivot models need the floor prepared for the bottom bearing.
- Electrics: Cable routing, if card/code entry or lighting is planned.
- Access route: Is there a route by which the door can reach the installation point? Narrow staircases and lift dimensions can be critical.
- Facade orientation: South-facing and rain-exposed facades change the cladding choice.
Is there such a thing as a standard size?
There are commonly used ranges, but Bayrakdoor does not build to standard sizes. Every door is made to the measurements taken at the survey. That eliminates the filling and cutting needed to force a ready-made door into an opening.
Can I take the measurements myself?
You can, for preliminary purposes — it helps when discussing a price range. But it is not accepted as a production measurement. Losses caused by wrong measurements fall on the manufacturer, so our team takes them. The survey is free and carries no obligation.
When to book a survey
| Situation | Right time |
|---|---|
| New build | Once the structural shell is complete, before plastering |
| Renovation | Before the old door is removed |
| Floor covering still to be laid | Once the covering thickness is known |
| Just want a price | Any time — a model code is enough |
To book a survey, call 0532 689 21 46 or fill in the pre-order form on the page of the model you like.
Common sizes are not a standard
Sizes like 90x200, 96x205 and 100x210 circulate in the market. They are not mandatory dimensions set by any standards body; they are common sizes that mass producers settled on to cut tooling costs. There is no requirement for your door opening to match them.
Villa entrances show no such uniformity anyway; widths of 110-140 cm and heights of 220-260 cm are typical.
How size connects to the door's engineering
As the size grows, it is not just the amount of sheet steel that increases; the weight of the leaf grows, and so does the torque that weight puts on the hinges. That is why wide leaves need a different number and type of hinge, and beyond a certain point a pivot system becomes necessary.
The sequence works like this: first the opening is measured, then the cladding is chosen (it directly affects weight), then the leaf weight is calculated and the carrying system is selected accordingly.
Common mistakes when giving measurements
| Giving the old door's dimensions | The figure includes the frame, when what is needed is the clear opening |
|---|---|
| Measuring at a single point | Openings are never perfectly square; measure at three points and use the narrowest |
| Measuring from an unfinished floor | If screed or parquet raises the floor later, the door will drag |
| Skipping the wall thickness | The frame type is chosen from this measurement — it is the one most often missed |
Threshold height
The threshold is kept as low as possible; a high threshold is both a trip hazard and an accessibility problem. Exterior doors, on the other hand, need a detail that keeps water out. The two are balanced through the choice of gasket and threshold profile — one of the things discussed at the survey.
Related models
You can browse every model in the product catalog and read about our production process on the About Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a steel door measured from the opening rather than the old door?
Yes. The measurement is taken from the structural opening, not from the existing leaf. Width is measured at three points and the narrowest reading is used; height is calculated from the finished floor level.
How is the height measured if the floor covering has not been laid yet?
The thickness of the covering still to be laid is subtracted from the current height. During the site survey we ask which covering will be used and calculate accordingly.
Is the site survey chargeable, and does it commit me to anything?
The site survey and measurement are free and commit you to nothing. You are under no obligation to accept the quote that follows.
What happens if the opening is not perfectly square?
Almost no door opening is perfectly square. We measure at three points and work to the narrowest one; the frame is made to that measurement and then set level and plumb during installation.
What if the screed or the flooring is going in later?
The calculation is based on the finished floor level. If this is not mentioned, the door can catch on the floor once installed, which is why it is one of the questions we always ask during the site survey.
Can I make changes after I have approved the measurements?
Yes, as long as production has not started. Once it has, the frame and leaf have already been cut to that measurement, so a change means producing a new door. This is why we take measurement approval in writing.