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How to Measure for a Barn Door - An Illustrated Guide

How to Measure for a Barn Door - An Illustrated Guide banner

How big should my barn door be?

When buying a sliding barn door, a prevalent question is: how tall and wide should my barn door be? Most people do not know that measuring your door frame for a barn door is different from measuring for a regular swing door.

You will need a different size for a sliding door versus a traditional swinging door in the same size opening. 

Unlike swinging doors, where the door has to exactly fit the door frame, with barn doors, you will need a slightly larger door than the opening. Why? Because if you have a door that is the exact same size as the opening, you will have lots of light and sound coming through the edges of the door. And if your opening is irregular, it will be evident when the door is closed.

 

Consider Privacy

Consider Privacy:  white keyhole on a black background

As mentioned before, it is essential to make the door overlap the opening to ensure privacy and aesthetics. We recommend adding at least one inch overlap on each side of the opening or molding. The more overlap you have, the less light and sound will come through the edges. 

 

How to determine your barn door width

How to determine your barn door width illustration on a black background. The text on the image is the same as the text below it.

To determine how wide your door should be, measure the opening from one side to the other.

If your door has molding frames, you will need to measure the distance between the outside edges of the molding.

Lastly, you need to add 2" (two inches) to your width measurement. The extra inches will ensure that you will have privacy and no gaps when closing your sliding barn door. 

 

Barn door width measurement example

Barn door width measurement example with illustration. Explanation and description of the instructions are below the image.

Let's take a look at another example of how to determine the width of your sliding barn door.

In this example, the opening has no molding. The distance between the edges of the door opening is 36," and we will add 2" (two inches) to that measurement (one inch for each size): 36" + 2" = 38" 

In this example, the barn door should be 38" inches wide.

 

How to determine your barn door height 

How to determine your barn door height illustration. Text one the image is the same as the text box below the image.

To determine the ideal height for your barn door, you will have to measure from the floor to the top of the door opening. If your opening has molding frames, measure from the floor to the outside edge of the frame. Add one inch to your final measurement to find out the ideal height of your door. 

 

Barn door height measurement example

Barn door height measurement example illustration. Explanation of the instructions are below the image.

 In this example, the door frame has no molding. The distance from the floor to the top of the opening is 80". For the final measurement, we need to add one extra inch: 80" + 1" = 81" 

In this example, your barn door should be 81" tall.

Note: Keep it in mind that for proper operation, your barn door should be 1/2" above the floor. Don't forget to check your sliding hardware kit installation requirements.

 

How long Should My Barn Door Hardware Track Be?

How long Should My Barn Door Hardware Track Be? with barn door hangers illustration on the left side.

Now that we know how to measure for a barn door, another critical question is: how big should your barn door track be?

Your track size should be at least double the size of your door width; this will ensure that the door will completely uncover the entrance when open. The correct measurement will also provide a smooth, effective, and safe operation of the door.

 

Barn door hardware track measurement example

Barn door hardware track measurement example illustration. Line art illustrations o a Chevron Barn door and the Prop Barn door hardware kit with written instructions on the side. The text in the illustration is the same as the text box below.

In this example, the door is 38" wide. For the door to cover the entrance when closed, we need to make sure the track is at least double the door size: 38" + 38" = 76". 

For a door 38" wide, we will need a 76" long.

Note: Make sure you have enough wall space on the side of the opening for the door to open completely. 

Now you know how to shop for the perfect barn door! Take a look at our vast collection of sliding barn doors and barn door hardware kits!

What other barn door questions do you have? Let us know in the comments!

14 Responses

Artur Kalinowski

Artur Kalinowski

February 21, 2024

Hi,
My exterior double barn door dims (WxH) 66″×110″ – wood structure.
Is your hardware cover my expectations?

Please confirm and let me know. If they are available instructions/ PDFs, I would appreciate.

Best regards

Bill

Bill

February 21, 2024

To asure some semblance of privacy, what should the track mounting distance out from the wall be assuming 1/2" trim is still in place?

Thank you, Bill

Robert

Robert

February 21, 2024

Yes I’m installing 2 33x 84 barn doors in a 48 inch opening to living room how long of track do I need to accommodate it

Jim Thompson

Jim Thompson

February 21, 2024

Shopping for an exterior heavy duty barn door hardware for a single door 54 inches wide x 93 inches tall with 1 3/4 width. The mounting area is 6 inches . Please advise.

Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson

November 01, 2023

How high from the floor should the top edge of a 1 1/2” barn door track be placed to ensure a 1/2” opening at the bottom on a typical 36” x 80” door….presuming I’m leaving a 2” gap from the bottom of the roller to the top of the door so there’s room above the track to seat the rollers ?

Jeanne Kamer

Jeanne Kamer

August 04, 2023

I’m using 2 doors which r 40” each. It would seem I would need 40” on each side of the 40” opening for a total of 120”

Shona

Shona

August 04, 2023

Really great instructions! Would the track measurements be the same if I wanted to install bifold barn doors?

Cathy

Cathy

August 04, 2023

We have a 6 ft opening that we took french doors out of, we have purchased 2 – 36" doors and need to know what size track we would need.

Paul Johnston

Paul Johnston

August 04, 2023

excellent instruction for measuring regular sliding barn door but I would like to install a bifold barn door. How far beyond the width should the track extend? Thank you.

Yolanda Kuehne

Yolanda Kuehne

April 07, 2023

Your explanation coupled with illustrations made it clear to understand. Exactly what I needed. Thank you!

Cindy

Cindy

April 07, 2023

Your instructions with the illustrations for measuring barn doors is fantastic. Husband and I are going to make two difference doors. This really helped. Thanks!

Alice Pulliam

Alice Pulliam

May 20, 2022

The information was exactly what I needed

Ann Nebe

Ann Nebe

September 22, 2021

Your Illustrated Guide for barn doors is really excellent. I am working on a complicated project and the information you provided answered most of the questions I have for this project. Thank you so much!!

 Veuve

Veuve

June 21, 2021

This was very helpful. Thanks for making it so clear about taking the measurements.

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