How to Measure a Screen Door: Step-by-Step Guide for a Perfect Fit

Accurate measurements are essential for a perfect fit when ordering your wooden screen door. This guide will show you how to measure a screen door for your existing doorway, ensuring the ideal fit and years of enjoyment. Carefully follow these simple instructions to help us complete your order quickly and precisely.

Measuring for a Wood Screen Door

Before you begin measuring, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with basic door terminology. Understanding the different parts of a doorway will simplify the measuring process for a screen door and make ordering easy. Please reference the images below, clearly illustrate the three main components you'll use to measure and install your wooden screen door.

Trim or "Brickmould"

(Highlighted in red, yellow, and blue)

The trim or brickmould is the decorative wood framing surrounding your doorway. Common on homes with brick or siding, this trim is typically where your screen door will be mounted.

Jamb
(Highlighted in orange)

The jamb refers to the vertical sides of the door frame, located just behind the trim. This is where your main door is typically mounted. When measuring for a screen door, the edge of the jamb acts as the door stop, helping determine how the screen door will sit and close.

Door Sill

(Highlighted in green)

The door sill is the piece of wood or plastic located directly beneath the door. It can be flat or angled like a ramp. The shape of the sill is important to note, as it may affect how the screen door fits and swings.

This diagram illustrates how to measure a screen door using your door frame as a reference.

• Width should be measured in three locations: the doorway's top, middle, and bottom.
• Height should be measured on both the left and right sides.

Refer to the photo while measuring to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Now that you're familiar with the key parts of the door frame and where measurements should be taken, let’s begin. We highly recommend using a standard measuring tape, as other tools may result in inconsistent or inaccurate measurements.

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Improving Accuracy: The 1-Inch Rule

We recommend starting at the 1" mark on your tape measure to get the most accurate results instead of relying on the hook end. Over time, the hook can become loose and give inconsistent readings.

Important: Remember to subtract 1 inch from your final measurement if you use this method.

For example, if your tape measure starts at 1" and ends at 33-1/8", the actual measurement is 32-1/8".

• All measurements should be recorded in inches.
• The standard format is width x height.
• We fabricate to the nearest 1/16 of an inch for precision.
  
  

Step 1: Measure the Width

Start by measuring the width of your doorway in three locations:

1. Top – Measure from the inside edge of Trim A (red) to the inside edge of Trim B (yellow). Record this as Measurement 1.
2. Middle – Repeat the same process across the middle of the doorway. Record this as Measurement 2.
3. Bottom – Measure across the bottom and record as Measurement 3.
   
   

Be as precise as possible when taking these measurements.
If the three widths differ, use the largest of the three. This will be your Actual Width.

Step 2: Measure the Height

Next, you'll measure the height of your door opening.

1. Left Side – Measure from the inside edge of Trim C (blue) to the top of the Door Sill (green). If the sill is slanted, measure to the lowest point where the screen door will rest. Record this as Measurement 4.
2. Right Side – Repeat the same steps on the right side of the doorway. Record this as Measurement 5.
   
   

If the two height measurements vary, use the taller of the two. This will be your Actual Height.

Important Notes on Final Dimensions

• We fabricate doors full and square to the exact dimensions you provide.
• If you'd like to make size deductions for clearance (e.g., to accommodate hinges or ensure smooth operation), you should subtract from the Actual Width and Actual Height before submitting your order.
  
  

Example:
If your measurements are 36" wide × 81" tall, and you want a 1/4" clearance on each dimension, order the door at 35-3/4" × 80-3/4". Enter these adjusted sizes under the “Fractional Dimensions” section when placing your order.

Final Tip:
While precise measurements are crucial, our doors are designed with a built-in trimming tolerance. This gives you flexibility for minor adjustments and helps the door fit correctly, even in slightly out-of-square openings.

Remember: trimming wood off a door is easy, but it is complicated to add it back. We recommend using the largest and tallest width measurements if your numbers vary. This ensures your screen door will arrive slightly oversized and can be trimmed on site for a perfect custom fit.

Step 3: Measure Trim Depth

As a final precaution, it's essential to check the depth of your trim. This ensures that the door and hardware will fit properly without requiring modifications.

• Measure the thickness of the trim where the screen door will be mounted.
• Your trim must be at least 1 inch thick to accommodate our standard hardware and ensure the door seats correctly in the frame.
  
  

If your trim is thinner than 1", we recommend consulting a local carpenter to make any necessary adjustments before placing your order.

Step 4: You’re Ready to Order!

Now that you’ve learned how to measure a screen door and recorded your accurate dimensions, you can place your order. Follow the reference photos and final steps below to complete the process confidently.

How to Enter Your Measurements When Ordering

You’ll find a list of customization options on any of our door product pages on the right-hand side. Here’s how to select the correct size:

• Width: Choose the dropdown option that matches your Actual Width. If your measurement isn’t listed, round up to the nearest inch.
  Example: If your Actual Width is 31-1/2", select 32" from the dropdown.
• Height: Repeat the process using your Actual Height. Again, round up to the nearest inch if your measurement falls between listed sizes.

Note: Doors measuring 85" or taller will incur an additional oversized shipping charge, which varies depending on the final height.

Common Sizes and Custom Dimensions

The most common screen door sizes we fabricate are 32" × 81" and 36" × 81". However, some door styles may have width or height limitations. To check if a specific style can accommodate your measurements, visit the product page and view the width and height dropdown menus.

If your exact size isn't listed but falls within our supported range (24"–44" wide and 76"–96" tall), you can still place a custom order:

• Choose the closest size up from the dropdown menu.
• Then, enter your precise dimensions in the Fractional Dimensions text box.

Example: If your door measures 80-1/2" tall, but the options are 80" and 81", select 81" and enter 80-1/2" in the Fractional Dimensions field. We will fabricate your door to those exact measurements.

This flexibility ensures that no matter your doorway size, you can get a screen door that fits perfectly.

Special Requests and Choosing the Right Size

If you have specific design requests—like setting the center rail at a certain height or orienting a decorative cutout (such as a trout) in a particular direction—please contact us directly by phone or email. We're happy to accommodate special instructions whenever possible.

Note: Some customizations may require an additional fee.

If you're unsure what size door you need, please call or email us with your measurements. We'll be glad to help you determine the correct size to order.

Selecting Your Wood Species

Once you've measured and selected your door size, the next step is choosing your wood species. We offer a variety of options to suit your style and environment:

• Poplar
• Pine
• Mahogany
• Fir
• Accoya
• Quarter-Sawn White Oak
• Red Cedar
  
  

Visit our Wood Screen Doors—Lumber Guide to learn more about the benefits of each type and decide which is best for your project.

Choose Your Screen Frame Option

Our screen doors include a removable aluminum screen frame as a standard feature. You can choose between two color options: Bronze or White.

In the example shown below, the screen frame is Bronze.

Select Your Screen Type

We offer three screen options, each designed to meet different needs in durability and visibility:

• Fiberglass (18 × 16 mesh)
  Our standard screen is made from high-quality, dark charcoal fiberglass mesh. It provides a clear view and dependable performance, perfect for general use.
  
  

• Fiberglass Plus (20 × 20 mesh)
  This tightly woven fiberglass mesh blocks even the smallest insects while maintaining excellent visibility and strength. It is a great choice for those seeking extra protection without sacrificing clarity.
  
  

• Super Screen (17 × 14 mesh)
  The most durable option, Super Screen, is tear-resistant and built to last, especially ideal for homes with pets. Note: Its thicker weave makes visibility slightly more obstructed than with our fiberglass options.

Place Your Order

Browse our wide selection of handmade screen doors and add your custom-built door to your cart by clicking “Add to Basket.” If you have any questions at any point in the process, don’t hesitate to reach out—call us at 800-404-8279. We're here to help!