Door frame and jamb dimensions: US, EU and Middle East standard sizes for importers
2026-10-23
Door leaf sizes are quoted everywhere; frame dimensions are not, and that is where import orders go wrong. A 80x210cm leaf needs a different frame in a 10cm stud wall than in a 25cm masonry wall, and the opening size changes with it.
The four numbers that define a frame
Every frame is defined by the same four measurements. Get these right and the door fits; get one wrong and the whole container is unusable.
- Wall thickness: the depth the frame has to span (stud plus plasterboard, or masonry)
- Jamb width: wall thickness plus a small tolerance, usually wall + 2-5mm per side
- Rebate (stop depth): the step the leaf closes against — typically 12-15mm
- Opening size: leaf size plus the frame plus fitting clearance on each side
US market
Nominal leaf sizes run in 2-inch steps: 24in, 28in, 30in, 32in, 36in, all 80in high. Frames are sold by jamb width to suit 2x4 (actual 89mm) or 2x6 stud walls with drywall.
- Standard interior opening height: 80in (2032mm) leaf, roughly 82-82.5in rough opening
- Jamb widths commonly 4-9/16in and 6-9/16in for 2x4 and 2x6 walls
- Fire-rated frames need a labelled steel or hardwood frame — confirm the listing
EU market
Metric modules: 60, 70, 80, 90cm leaf widths, 200 or 210cm heights, with frame thickness matched to typical 100-125mm partition walls.
- Common leaf: 80x210cm with a 12-15mm rebate
- Wall thickness on site is usually 100mm (metal stud + 2x12.5mm board) or 125mm
- Adjustable frames are common — they absorb 5-15mm of wall variation, which helps on renovation projects
Middle East and Africa
Sizes follow either the European metric module or a local convention depending on the country, and walls are often thicker (block or concrete) than in Europe.
- Wall thickness frequently 150-250mm, so jamb depth must be specified per project
- Larger leaves are normal: 90x210cm and 100x210cm are common in villas
- Confirm the opening height including the finished floor level, not the slab
What to confirm before production
The measurements below decide whether the frame is reusable across the order or has to be made per apartment.
- Wall thickness: measured, not assumed — send a photo with a tape against the wall
- Opening height: floor finish to underside of lintel, after screed
- Rebate depth: must be at least the leaf thickness plus 2mm
- Handing: left or right, and whether any leaf is mirrored in a pair
- Frame material: MDF is fine indoors; use solid timber or steel where fire rating or heavy traffic applies
Frequently asked questions
Can one frame size work for a whole building?
Only if the wall thickness is the same everywhere. On concrete or block buildings the wall thickness often varies by 10-20mm between floors, which is why adjustable frames or per-floor jamb sizes are usually worth the small extra cost.
Should I order the frame and the leaf together?
Yes. Frame and leaf are machined as a set: the rebate depth, the hinge positions and the opening size all depend on the leaf thickness. Splitting the order between two suppliers is the most common cause of doors that will not close.
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