Our home was built in 1994. We want to get a new front door. Someone
told me that the standards changed right around that time, but he
wasn't sure if it was before or after 1994. He told me that if our
door was installed after, then all we need is a new door. Otherwise
we would need a whole new jamb installed.

What do I need to measure or check?

On 1-Apr-2006, " wrote:

What do I need to measure or check?

In addition to the other poster's advice on dimensions - check the height of
the strike for the latch and deadbolt. I know that I had a problem once upon
a time with a "standard" door that had a different deadbolt height than the jamb.

Check hinge locations too.

Mike

I can't imagine what standards have been changed. For all doors
there are many things to consider.

If the new door has no holes and no hinge mortises, you only need
to find the height, width, and thickness. Commercial doors are
usually 1 3/4" thick/ Residential can be 1 3/8 or 1 3/4. Most
residential doors are 6'-8" tall, heavier and commercial doors are
usually 7'-0". Most front entry doors are 3-0 wide, some may be
2-8 and some may be extra wide (3-6 and 4-0 are not unheard of)

If you are trying to buy a door that is already mortised with
lock prep already done, you have many more things to consider.
Open your door, put your back against the hinges, whichever arm
you would use to be the door determines the "hand" of the door
(right hand or left hand).
Different brands use different hinge layouts and different size
hinges. With the door open, push a tape measure up against the
top of the jamb. Measure to the top of each hinge. Measure from
the top of the hinge to the bottom. Many residential hinges are 3
1/2", some are 4", commercial are usually 4 1/2"
Measure from the top of the jamb to the center of the strike hole.
Measure to the center of dead bolt hole also if so equipped.
Different locks use different set backs. Most residential doors
use 2 3/8" backset. Heavier and commercial doors use 2 3/4"
backset. This the distance from the strike edge of the door to
the center line of the knob. There are other back sets, but they
are unusual.
______________________________
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




wrote in message
...
Our home was built in 1994. We want to get a new front door.
Someone
told me that the standards changed right around that time, but
he
wasn't sure if it was before or after 1994. He told me that if
our
door was installed after, then all we need is a new door.
Otherwise
we would need a whole new jamb installed.

What do I need to measure or check?