How to Measure for Saloon Doors: Complete Guide to Cafe Door Sizing

Did you know most “old western” saloons didn’t actually use swinging doors? Today, however, saloon doors—also known as cafe doors—have become a stylish and functional way to enhance entryways in homes and businesses.

Whether you’re installing swinging doors in a kitchen, hallway, bathroom, pantry, or commercial space, accurate measurements are essential. Here’s exactly how to measure for saloon doors to ensure a perfect fit.

Measuring a Cased Door Opening

If your doorway has a frame (trim casing), follow these steps:

1. Measure the width of the opening at:

   • the top

   • the middle

   • the bottom

2. Record the smallest measurement.

3. This smallest measurement is the door opening size you’ll provide when ordering custom saloon doors.

This ensures your doors fit even if the frame is slightly out of square.

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Replacing a Pre-Hung Traditional Door

If you're removing an existing traditional swinging door:

Preferred Method: Remove the Door Stops

• Remove stops entirely.

• Then measure top, middle, and bottom of the frame.

• Provide the smallest measurement as the door opening.

Alternative Method: Leave the Door Stops

• Your new saloon doors will hang from the stops.

• Measure from doorstop to doorstop, not frame to frame.

Important: The old door must be removed before installing saloon doors.

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Measuring for Saloon Doors in a Hallway (No Door Frame)

In a hallway without a frame:

1. First, locate studs for secure installation.

   • If studs aren’t available, install trim boards to anchor the hardware.

2. Mark the location where the doors will be installed.

3. Measure the width at:

   • top

   • middle

   • bottom

4. Use the smallest measurement as your opening size.

If trim boards will be used:
Provide the overall hallway opening, and Swinging Cafe Doors will automatically adjust door sizing to match the trim board thickness.

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How Custom Door Sizing Works

When you provide your opening measurement, the manufacturer will:

• Size each door panel correctly

• Account for hardware clearances

• Maintain a typical ¼" (+/- ⅛") gap between the doors

Always provide exact measurements, such as 36 ½", not rounded numbers.

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Choosing the Right Doors

With custom-made saloon doors, you can choose:

• Door height

• Door material (wood, glass, metal, etc.)

• Finish or paint

• Hardware type

• Swing direction (double-action hinges)

Stock (premade) doors are only available for:

• 30"

• 32"

• 36" openings

Choose a premade size that is equal to or smaller than your opening—never larger.

If your opening is larger than a stock size, refer to our guide for filling gaps or customizing the fit.

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You’re Ready for Your New Cafe Doors

Once you have your accurate measurements, you're ready to order!
Custom saloon doors ensure a perfect fit—just provide the opening size, and the manufacturer takes care of the rest.

? Click here to get your custom quote from Swinging Cafe Doors.