Rough opening exists for every door in the house, and it is also necessary to know the measurements. If you want to build a closet or order a new one, you should measure the place where you want to put the closet.
Following the below tips regarding the rough opening for a closet door and its measurements may help you to build your new closet in a smooth way.
What is the rough opening for a closet door?
A rough opening for a closet door is the frame that holds the closet or where you are going to put the closet. It is actually the outer frame. If the closet is attached to the wall, the outer front frame, which mainly is going to hold the closet door, is known as the rough opening as well.
Rough opening for doors may vary depending on where the door is going to be used. Well, there are doors in every place at home, in the closet, and even in the kitchen deck. All these don’t have the same rough opening. Some are larger in size, and some are smaller.
According to the size of the door, the rough opening also changes.
The rough opening of a closet is actually like a frame that holds the closet. Well, it is not the closet frame. Many may think it is like the door frame which is used on the normal doors at home. But it is different as the closet itself has a frame.
The outer frame separates the closet from the wall, which is called a rough opening.
As a rough opening holds the closet, it can not be smaller than the closet size. The rough opening of the closet door varies with the closet size and should always be bigger than the closet size. The rough opening should always be 2 inches larger than the size of the closet.
The size of the closet is measured either by foot or inch. Moreover, the rough opening can be larger by two and a ½ inches as well. It depends on the person. The rough opening of any door is meant to be greater than the door size itself.
If the rough opening is not bigger, it can not take the closet in it.
Error in measurements may cause you to mourn as well. If the measurements for the rough opening are smaller than the closet itself, the closet will not fit. You need to again make the rough opening.
Otherwise, if there are any problems with the door or sides, you may not be able to fix them.
A rough opening also creates a gap between the wall and the door. As a result, there won’t be any direct contact with the wall, and you can always fix the door. You do not have to damage the wall while changing the door or fixing the wall closet door.
Moreover, a rough opening is required to provide shelter to the closet door.
Sliding closet door:
Sliding closet door should also have a rough opening of larger to 1 or 1 ½ inches. Some may prefer 2 and 2 ½ inches as well. There are different rough opening sizes for different cabinets, depending on the manufacturer.
6 foot:
A 6-foot sliding door refers to the closet, which has a height of 6 feet. The height would be 81-82 inches, and the width should be enlarged by 2 inches.
60 sliding:
60 sliding door refers to the width of the closet door. And the rough opening should be 61½ X 81½ for a 60 sliding.
72X80 sliding:
For a door size of 72X80, the rough opening should be increased by 1½ inch to 2 inches. The rough opening of a 72X80 should be 73½ X 81½ or 74-82.
Bifold closet door:
Bifold closets are quite popular nowadays. The bifold closet doors should have a rough opening of 1 or 1 ½ inches greater than the closet size.
32 inch:
32 inch refers to the width of the closet where the height is 80 inches. The rough opening should be 33X81.
36 inch:
The 36-inch bifold closet door should have a rough opening of 37X81. Each side should be ½ inch larger than the closet.
48 inch:
49X81 is the right rough opening for a 48-inch bifold closet door.
Bypass closet door:
Bypass closet door is similar to sliding doors but has more panels. The rough opening of a bypass closet door should be enlarged by 1 or 1 ½ inches than the door size.
What is the standard opening for a closet door?
The standard size of a closet is 6 feet which is 80 inches, and the standard opening should be 82 inches. The opening should be enlarged by 2 inches than the closet size.
A 2 inches greater size than the closet is the standard opening for a closet door. An ideal closet height is 80 inches, and the width depends on the chooser. The opening should be increased to 2 inches or 2 ½ inches.
Sometimes, the closet may require more space, and the rough opening may look smaller.
What is the rough opening for a 24-inch door?
The rough opening for the 24-inch door should be 2 inches larger in both the width and length of the closet. A 24-inch door actually refers to the width of the door. Twenty-four inches is the width or may slightly vary to some inches.
Moreover, the door height might be in the range of 80-85 inches or differ a bit. The rough opening of any door should be 2 inches bigger than the door size. If the width of the door is 24 inches, the rough opening can be increased up to 26.
Moreover, if the height of the door is 80 inches, the rough opening should be 82.
The rough opening depends on the size of the door. If a 24-inch door refers to a 25×83 door, the rough opening may change accordingly. Here, 25 is the width of the door, and 83 is the height of the door.
Can rough opening be smaller for bifold closet doors?
The rough opening for bifold closet doors can be smaller, yet there should be enough space on the upper side and the downside. Well, the rough opening for bifold closet doors should be 1 inch or half-inch larger.
This inch is required for the bifold closet doors. You need to fix the closet door and the closet too. Moreover, there should be enough space so that you can put the closet door and when needed you can fix it.
A bifold closet door may come with a number of panels. All the panels should be of the same size. As a result, the rough opening can be measured more accurately for the closet doors.
How to measure the rough opening for the closet door? How do I determine rough opening sizes for a common closet door?
One can easily measure the rough opening for the closet door. One can measure by the measurements of an existing door. You can do it both ways. To help, the below steps are provided for you.
Measure the width:
If you are measuring a door first, the rough opening should be 2 inches larger than the door slab. While measuring the place directly, the measurement of the width is the rough opening, and the door would be 2 inches less.
Measure the height:
Measure the height of the closet in the same way. Well, it might look difficult. Measure the height from the floor. Well, if you are going to put carpet or tiles, account for that too while measuring.
A common closet door is 80 inches in height. The rough opening should be 82 inches. These 2 inches may help to put the closet door, and you can remove and fix it as you want.
Door rough opening chart
The door’s rough opening should always be 2 inches greater than the actual door size. It is also the same for the closet door size. Depending on the closet type, the rough opening may change. Some of the door’s rough opening is given below. Well, it may vary by ½ inch.
● 24″ x80″ door – Rough opening should be 26″ x80″
● 36″ x80″ door – Rough opening should be 38″ x82″
● 38″ x80″ door – Rough opening should be 40″ x82″
● 26″ x81″ door – Rough opening should be 28″ x83″
Final thoughts:
Overall, the rough opening of a closet door helps to keep enough space to fix the closet door. A rough opening actually holds the closet door and the overall closet. If it is not measured properly, the closet may require to be changed. Moreover, if any problems appear, the doors can be fixed easily.