Standard Door Sizes in Canada: A Complete Guide for Ottawa Homeowners
Picking the right door size isn’t a small decision. It affects how furniture moves in, how warm your hallway feels in February, and whether your entry meets Ontario’s rules. Around Ottawa, most homes follow familiar Canadian standards, but older houses in places like Centretown, Hintonburg, and Sandy Hill can surprise you with narrow frames or tall openings. New builds lean bigger and cleaner; heritage homes often need a more tailored approach.
Ontario Building Code standards apply here, and if you’re designing for accessibility you’ll also be thinking about clear openings — not just slab size. The good news: once you measure properly and choose the right installation method, the rest is straightforward.
At Big City Windows & Doors, we help homeowners across Ottawa choose sizes that fit, seal and perform in our four-season climate. Below, you’ll find the common sizes for exterior and interior doors, when custom makes sense, and a simple measuring method to get your numbers right the first time. Where code is relevant, we flag it so you can plan confidently. (For specific projects, always confirm with your municipality or contractor.) OBC minimums for required entrances and barrier-free clearances are noted where helpful.
Factors Affecting Door Size in Ottawa, Ontario
Room function. Exterior doors need enough width for moving furniture and strollers, plus better insulation and security. Interior doors balance privacy with space planning — bathrooms and closets often run narrower.
Accessibility (AODA and barrier-free design). If you’re aiming for barrier-free access (or renovating a rental/multi-residential space), plan for a wider clear opening so mobility devices pass comfortably. A clear opening around 850 mm is a common benchmark in barrier-free guidance.
Ontario Building Code basics. The OBC sets minimums for required entrances (clear opening width and height). While many homes exceed them with a standard 36″ × 80″ door, it’s good to know the baseline when planning a replacement in a tight frame.
Aesthetics & home style. Taller and wider doors suit modern façades and high ceilings; narrow or non-standard openings are common in older Ottawa neighbourhoods and may point you to custom. Energy-efficient slabs and frames matter here too — proper sizing and installation are what keep winter drafts and summer heat where they belong.
Standard Exterior Door Sizes in Canada
Most single entry doors are 36″ × 80″ (about 91 × 203 cm), thick enough and wide enough for everyday use and furniture moves. Exterior slabs are typically 1 ¾″ thick for insulation and security.
| Door type | Imperial (inches) | Metric (cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard front door | 36 × 80 | 91 × 203 | Most common choice |
| Wide entry door | 42 × 84 | 107 × 213 | Creates a grand entry |
| Double entry doors | 60–72 × 80 | 152–183 × 203 | For large openings |
| Patio sliding doors | 72–96 × 80 | 183–244 × 203 | Perfect for backyard access |
Note: Exterior doors are generally 1 ¾″ thick.
Code tip: For the required entrance to a dwelling, the OBC specifies at least 810 mm clear opening width and 1 980 mm height along one compliant path. A standard 36″ door typically meets this, provided hardware and stops don’t reduce the clear opening.
Standard Interior Door Sizes in Canada
| Room type | Width (in/cm) | Height (in/cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 30 × 80 / 76 × 203 | 80 / 203 | Ideal for privacy |
| Bathroom | 28 × 80 / 71 × 203 | 80 / 203 | Fits smaller spaces |
| Closet | 24 × 80 / 61 × 203 | 80 / 203 | Hinged or sliding |
Good to know: Interior slabs are commonly 1 ⅜″ thick; pocket and sliding options can help in tight hallways. If accessibility is a goal, consider upsizing interior widths so you maintain adequate clear opening past hinges and hardware.
How to Measure a Door Properly
Step 1 — Width. With the door open, measure the frame opening at the top, middle and bottom. Write down the smallest number.
Step 2 — Height. Measure from finished floor to the inside of the head jamb at left and right. Record the smallest number.
Step 3 — Thickness. Measure the door slab and the jamb thickness (important for a clean fit in existing walls).
Step 4 — Trim & clearances. Note casing widths, floor transitions and intended gaps (for swing and weatherstripping). Check the swing direction and nearby light switches.
Pro tip: Measure twice. If you’re replacing just the slab, verify hinge locations, hinge size and backset so hardware lines up. For exterior doors, consider a full brick-to-brick replacement if the frame is warped or drafty — performance depends on the whole system, not just the slab.
When to Choose a Custom Door Size
- Heritage homes with non-standard openings. Many pre-war houses in Ottawa have narrow or tall frames that don’t fit stock sizes.
- Unique architecture. Oversized entries (42″-wide or 8′-tall) or sidelites/transoms to match modern façades.
- Accessibility beyond standard sizes. If you need more than the usual clear opening, custom is the cleanest way to achieve it — and to keep it looking intentional.
- Energy upgrades. When you’re chasing lower Hydro bills and a quieter home, a purpose-built slab, insulated frame and new sill system can make a measurable difference in Ottawa’s winters.
(If barrier-free access is a goal, plan for a wider clear opening — recent updates and guidance commonly reference around 850 mm clear for barrier-free doors in Ontario. Your designer/contractor can align your specs with current code.)
Why Choose Big City Windows & Doors
- Local and proven. 20+ years serving Ottawa and nearby communities — with products that perform in –20 °C winters and humid summers.
- Expert help, end-to-end. We’ll confirm measurements, advise on OBC and barrier-free considerations, and recommend the right install method (retrofit vs. brick-to-brick).
- Energy-efficient choices. High-quality slabs, frames and hardware engineered for Canadian climates — installed by pros so they seal and stay square.
- Straightforward quotes. Free, no-obligation consultations and written estimates so you can plan with confidence.
FAQs
What’s the most common front-door size in Canada?
A single 36″ × 80″ door is the go-to and typically meets OBC clear-opening requirements when installed correctly. Taller (84″/96″) and wider (42″) options are popular in newer homes.
Does the OBC dictate one size for all homes?
No. The Code sets minimum clear opening and height for the required entrance; many homes exceed these with standard sizes. Always confirm your clear opening — hardware and stops can reduce it.
How thick is an exterior door?
Most exterior slabs are 1 ¾″ thick for strength and insulation.
Ready to get exact?
Book a free in-home consultation and we’ll measure, confirm code considerations and recommend the right door size and installation for your home in Ottawa — then provide a clear, no-pressure quote.