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Discussion Forum

How wide should a bedroom door be?

| Posted in General Discussion on March 13, 2000 09:50am

*
I want to have enough room for getting furniture in and out. I’ve seen 36″ wide doors, but they look a bit too wide and I dont have the room to rough frame for that width. But 32″ wide looks like it might be a tight squeeze for some of my furniture. A 34″ would probably do the trick but I don’t see 34″ doors anywhere.

Any ideas / opinions?

Thanks,

Marv

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  1. Guest_ | Jan 28, 2000 11:24pm | #1

    *
    Marv, I believe most standard bedroom doors are 30" or 32", are you sure you have bedroom furniture that won't fit through that??

    1. Guest_ | Jan 28, 2000 11:49pm | #2

      *Standard bedroom doors here are 32", with the 36" doors becoming more popular. I have removed several 32" doors and reframed for 36" ones.Here, as well as in a lot of the country, people are turning their bedrooms into a casual place to relax, read, etc... The amount of couches, recliners, large chairs, oversized furniture, etc... that is now being placed in the bedrooms is increasing.I have to assume that the popularity of having the master bedroom a monstrous size accounts for part of this new rage.It is nothing for me to see a 24' x 24' master bedroom "suite" nowadays.Just a thought...James DuHamel

      1. Guest_ | Jan 29, 2000 03:52am | #3

        *Marv:There's no right answer. 32 is most common here. 30 and 36 are close behind. I've seen pleanty of double french doors too. I've also installed a couple of 4' wide doors for wheelchairs.Do whatever you want. If you want 34, you can get it, it will just cost more.

        1. Guest_ | Jan 29, 2000 07:59am | #4

          *Marv:Around here 2'6" is standard in low to mid end houses, 2'8 is what I like to install, and 2'8" clear is what ADA (American Disabilities Act) requires. 2'10" easily conforms to ADA requirements but are special order, and you are right 36" looks a bit funny - unless your building in a large house.Around here, code requires 1 3'0" exterior door - usually the front door, and that, I imagine is needed for carrying the 30 cub ft fridge in through.I hate to say it but you sound like a someone who is very dear to me: "well it i looks like this, and I i probably that... bla bla bla bla..." Go get a tape measure, measure your furniture, some bedroom doors and make up your own mind! If you are really serious about finding the answer, go look at a bunch of house plans, go to a furniture store, and go measure someone else's doors in their home!

          1. Guest_ | Jan 29, 2000 06:59pm | #5

            *......Marv...MattG knocked it out of the park...30" is the standard.....main egress is 36" and 2-10" (34")is what you need to easily comply with ADA.......

  2. sysop_ | Jan 31, 2000 07:44pm | #6

    *
    30 in. used to be standard, but the two states that I've built in, CT and NJ, both adapted new CABO and BOCA codes a few years back that require a minimum 32-in. door into any space greater than ten square feet.

    Andy Engel

  3. Guest_ | Feb 05, 2000 10:58pm | #7

    *
    We made aunt Tilly's door 42" wide.

    1. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 02:39am | #8

      *Andy,That's interesting. In NC we use CABO, however I am not aware of the 32" opening rule, nor has any inspector ever brought it up. I even looked in my code book. Maybe it's because we use the 1995 model code (with yearly updates). I wonder why the difference - your CABO is a newer model?

      1. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 08:29am | #9

        *Had to.

        1. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 08:48am | #10

          *Isn't it about your bed time? This must be close to real time.Dennis

          1. Guest_ | Feb 06, 2000 12:49pm | #11

            *hehehe Hey Dennis. You done up in WI yet? You still haulin' lumber in that Oldsmobile?

  4. sysop_ | Feb 08, 2000 11:50pm | #12

    *
    NJ adapted the change to the BOCA code in about '94. In retrospect, I'm not so sure about CABO. I built my house in CT to CABO, and simply assumed that 2/8 doors were standard when I designed it. You could be right as well about the different versions of the code. Also, states don't necessarily adapt an entire version of any building code. Here in CT, we choose between BOCA and CABO, and both are modified by something called the Connecticut Supplement. I'd go check our copy of CABO, but some scoundrel swiped it. At the risk of opening a Pandora's box, you could ask your inspector.

    Andy

  5. Guest_ | Mar 09, 2000 07:03pm | #13

    *
    Well, fellas, for what it's worth: when I build in about a year, I'm putting 36" doors EVERYWHERE, including bathroom. I don't care if it looks "wierd". Then, the next guy (who might be me) that has to replace the FG tub/shower can get a one-piece in there. And I'm seriously considering a design that has NO halls; most houses have enough hall footage for a small office, or some bigger baths.

                

    1. Guest_ | Mar 13, 2000 09:50pm | #15

      *Gentlemen. the BOCA code Section 1017.3 deals with dooe widths. Go to your building department or library and read this section. GeneL.

  6. Marv_Denings | Mar 13, 2000 09:50pm | #14

    *
    I want to have enough room for getting furniture in and out. I've seen 36" wide doors, but they look a bit too wide and I dont have the room to rough frame for that width. But 32" wide looks like it might be a tight squeeze for some of my furniture. A 34" would probably do the trick but I don't see 34" doors anywhere.

    Any ideas / opinions?

    Thanks,

    Marv

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