Patio Door Sizes: A Complete Guide

What Sizes Do Patio Doors Comes in?

Patio Door Standard Sizes

The standard sizes for patio doors vary based on the type and design, but generally, patio doors are 60 to 144 inches wide (152 cm to 366 cm) and 80 to 96 inches high (203 cm to 244 cm). These dimensions provide flexibility for different architectural needs and aesthetic preferences.

The three most common types of patio doors sliding, French, and bifold doors each have their own standard dimensions.

Sliding Patio Doors: Sliding doors are typically 60 to 144 inches wide (152 cm to 366 cm) and 80 inches tall (203 cm), with larger sizes available up to 96 inches in height (244 cm). Sliding doors are great for saving space as they open horizontally on a track without the need for swing clearance.

French Patio Doors: French doors are often 60 to 96 inches wide (152 cm to 244 cm) and come in heights of 80 to 96 inches (203 cm to 244 cm). These doors require clearance to swing open but offer a more traditional look and aesthetic appeal.

Bifold Patio Doors: Bifold doors can reach widths of 144 inches or more (366 cm) and heights of 80 to 96 inches (203 cm to 244 cm). They fold neatly to one side, creating a large open space for seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.

Patio Doors Size Chart

Door Type	Height (Inches)	Height (cm)	Width Options (Inches)	Width Options (cm)
Two-Panel Bi-Fold Door	80	203	72, 96	183, 244
Three-Panel Bi-Fold Door	80	203	108, 144	274, 366
Four-Panel Bi-Fold Door	80	203	144, 192	366, 488
Two-Panel Sliding Door	80	203	60, 72	152, 183
Three-Panel Sliding Door	80	203	108, 144	274, 366
Four-Panel Sliding Door	80	203	144, 192	366, 488
French Door	Varies	Varies	Typically 32-36 per door	Typically 81-91 per door

What is the Rough Opening for a Patio Door?

The rough opening for a patio door is the framed opening in a wall where the door will be installed, which is typically slightly larger than the actual door to allow for adjustments during installation. The rough opening dimensions vary depending on the type of door and its size.

The rough opening is Important because it provides space for the doorframe, insulation, shimming, and any adjustments needed for proper leveling. Here’s a breakdown of rough openings for common patio door sizes:

Sliding Patio Doors: The rough opening for a standard 60-inch wide by 80-inch tall sliding patio door should be approximately 62 inches wide and 82 inches tall (157.5 cm by 208.3 cm). This allows for the doorframe and space for shimming to ensure the door is level and properly aligned.

French Patio Doors: For a pair of French doors measuring 60 inches wide by 80 inches tall, the rough opening should be about 62 inches wide and 82 inches tall (157.5 cm by 208.3 cm). If the French doors are larger, such as 72 inches wide, the rough opening would increase to 74 inches wide (188 cm).

Bifold Patio Doors: For bifold doors, the rough opening will depend on the number of panels, but for a typical 144-inch wide by 80-inch tall door, the rough opening would be approximately 146 inches wide and 82 inches tall (370.8 cm by 208.3 cm).

Rough Opening Patio Door Size Chart

Type of Patio Door	Rough Opening Size (inches)	Rough Opening Size (cm)
Sliding Doors	62 x 82 inches	157.5 x 208.3 cm
French Doors	62 x 82 inches	157.5 x 208.3 cm
Bifold Doors	146 x 82 inches	370.8 x 208.3 cm

How do you measure a rough opening for a patio door?

To measure the rough opening for a patio door, you need to measure the width, height, and depth of the framed opening. The rough opening should be slightly larger than the door itself to allow for shimming and adjustments during installation.

Procedure

Gather Your Tools: You will need a tape measure, a notepad, and possibly a helper to hold the tape measure.

Remove Trim: If there is any interior trim or molding around the existing door, remove it carefully to expose the full rough opening.

Measure the Width:

• Use a tape measure to find the distance between the two vertical studs (the side frames) of the opening.
• Measure across the top, middle, and bottom of the opening.
• Record the smallest measurement as the rough opening width.
• Example: If the measurements are 62 inches, 62.5 inches, and 62 inches, use 62 inches (157.5 cm) as your width.
• Subtract 1/2 inch: Your final rough width is 61.5 inches (156.2 cm).

Measure the Height:

• Measure from the subfloor (the base where the door will sit) to the header (the top frame) of the opening.
• Take measurements on both sides and in the center of the opening.
• Record the smallest measurement as the rough opening height.
• Example: If your measurements are 82 inches, 82.5 inches, and 82 inches, use 82 inches (208.3 cm) as your height.
• Subtract 1/2 inch: Your final rough height is 81.5 inches (207 cm).

Measure the Depth:

• Measure the depth of the opening from the front of the rough framing to the back.
• Ensure the door frame can fit within this depth.
• Example: Common frame depths are 4 9/16 inches or 6 9/16 inches depending on the thickness of your wall.
• Ensure the depth accommodates the thickness of the door frame, typically 4 9/16 inches or 6 9/16 inches depending on the wall thickness.

For Example:

The rough opening for a patio door should be approximately 2-4 inches larger than the door itself, minus 1/2 inch for shimming and leveling. For example, if you have a patio door that is 30 inches wide, the rough opening should be 32-34 inches wide, minus 1/2 inch for shimming and leveling, for a total of 31.5-33.5 inches wide.

How Do You Measure a Patio Door Opening?

To measure a patio door opening, you need to take precise measurements of the width, height, and depth of the opening. It’s important to measure at multiple points to ensure accuracy. Follow these steps to measure the opening properly:

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring a Patio Door Opening:

Measure the Width:

• Open the door fully (if one is already installed).
• Measure across the inside of the frame from one vertical side to the other. Start at the top, then measure the middle, and finally the bottom.
• Record the smallest measurement. This is your final width.
• Example: If you measure 72 inches at the top, 71.75 inches in the middle, and 71.5 inches at the bottom, your width is 71.5 inches (181.6 cm).

Measure the Height:

• Measure from the bottom of the door frame (where it meets the floor) to the top of the frame.
• Take this measurement on the left side, right side, and center.
• Record the smallest measurement as your final height.
• Example: If the height measures 80.25 inches on the left, 80 inches in the middle, and 80.5 inches on the right, your height is 80 inches (203.2 cm).

Measure the Depth:

• Measure the depth of the door frame from the interior wall to the exterior wall. This is the thickness of the wall that the door sits in.
• Most standard wall depths are either 4 9/16 inches (for 2×4 framing) or 6 9/16 inches (for 2×6 framing).
• Record this depth measurement to ensure the new door frame fits flush with the walls.

Check for Square (optional but recommended):

• Measure diagonally from the top left corner of the opening to the bottom right, and then from the top right corner to the bottom left.
• If both diagonal measurements are equal, the opening is square. If they differ, adjustments may be needed during installation.

Key Points to Remember:

Always measure at multiple points (top, middle, bottom) and use the smallest measurement to ensure accuracy.

Allow for 1/2 inch extra clearance for shimming and leveling during installation if you’re dealing with rough opening measurements.

If the opening has any unusual angles or irregularities, consider consulting with a professional installer for guidance.

For sliding patio doors, measure the width from the inside edge of the jamb to the inside edge at the top, middle, and bottom. Measure the height from the top of the rough opening to the finished floor.

For hinged patio doors like French doors, measure the width from the inside edge of one jamb to the inside edge of the other jamb at the top, middle, and bottom. Measure the height from the top of the rough opening to the finished floor.

By following these steps and taking accurate measurements, you’ll ensure your new patio door fits perfectly in the opening and operates smoothly for years to come.