Entry Doors

A 2-8 door is 2 feet 8 inches wide — 32 inches. That’s a common single-door width, and it’s the number on the WBC stock list for a 6-panel unit. But before settling on a width, the bigger decision comes first: what the door is made of. Material drives cost, security, energy performance, and how much maintenance it’ll demand over a Montana winter.

Three choices dominate residential entry doors, and each comes with a clear trade-off.

Steel is the most budget-friendly and secure option, though it can dent and rust. Fiberglass is highly durable, energy-efficient, and resists weather better than steel or wood, making it a strong long-term value. Wood offers a premium, customizable, and traditional aesthetic but requires the most maintenance to prevent warping or rot.

For a climate that swings from 70°F inside to well below zero outside, and cycles through freeze-thaw all season, fiberglass earns its keep. It shrugs off moisture better than the other two. Steel costs less and locks down tight, but rust starts where the finish fails. Wood looks the part on a timber-frame or log home, but it’ll need diligent upkeep to stay sealed against snowmelt and warping.

Construction details matter on steel doors. One steel system is built with a 1-3/4” door, LVL stiles and rails, a steel bottom rail, galvanized steel facing, a 12” lock block, and an energy-efficient core. Galvanized facing fights the rust problem; the energy-efficient core is what keeps cold air on the outside where it belongs.

Sizing, Configurations, and Glass

A standard size front door is 3-feet wide by 6-feet-8-inches tall, with variations in between. From there, the range opens up. Custom widths run from 2’1” to 3’7”, with heights up to 10’. In a commercial setting, a 32-inch minimum width is required to accommodate wheelchair users — which is exactly where that 2-8 width lands.

Going wider? Double front doors are available in widths from 4’2” to 7’2” and heights from 6’10” to 7’. And when a standard size doesn’t fit the opening, custom doors can be sized in 1/8-inch increments, so it’s possible to get very precise.

Specification	Range
Standard single door	3’0” wide × 6’8” tall
Custom single widths	2’1” to 3’7”
Custom heights	up to 10’
Double door widths	4’2” to 7’2”
Double door heights	6’10” to 7’
Custom increment	1/8”
2-8 width	32” (2 ft 8 in)

Two configuration calls come before ordering. First, swing direction. Decide if you want your front door to swing inward or outward, and make sure there’s enough space for whichever direction you choose. Outswing matters where snow drift could block an inward swing. Inswing or outswing has to be specified on the order. The WBC 6-panel units, for instance, come in both left-hand and right-hand hinging, with 4-9/16” and 6-9/16” adjustable threshold jamb depths.

Second, glass. Decide if you want to add extra glass in the form of a transom (window above the door) or sidelight (window next to the door). If you add either or both, order these windows at the same time as the door and plan the entryway design with all these features in mind. This is where buyers get burned — sidelights and transoms aren’t an afterthought. Order them with the door or you’re starting over.

Transoms come two ways. Direct-set transoms provide maximum unobstructed glass, while sash-set versions are also available, both custom-sized in 1/8” increments.

On the glass itself, Low-E is the upgrade worth the conversation in cold country. Optional high-performance Low-E insulating glass lowers energy costs, helps homes stay warmer in winter, and reduces the fading of interior furnishings and condensation. Less condensation matters when the temperature differential across the glass is 90 degrees. With Low-E glass, ENERGY STAR certified versions are likely available, meaning they meet or exceed the minimum energy efficiency criteria for your climate region — ask your dealer how to order products specific to your area.

For severe-weather exposure, impact glass exists, though it’s built mainly for coastal code. These doors with impact resistant glass protection can withstand a nine-pound piece of lumber striking the glass head-on at approximately 34 miles per hour. Single door, double door, and single/double door with sidelights configurations are available.

Prehung vs. Slab, and What to Check Before Ordering

The install type decides what actually gets ordered. Prehung doors come with a frame and are easier to install for full replacements. Slab doors are just the door panel and are best for budget-conscious replacements where the existing frame is in excellent condition. The key phrase is “excellent condition” — a slab into a tired jamb just transfers the problem.

Which is why the inspection comes before the order. Always inspect the sill and sub-sill for rot before ordering. In a freeze-thaw climate, moisture works its way into the sill, and a new door sitting on rotten framing won’t seal no matter how good the weatherstrip is. Threshold design helps here — concealed drainage and mitred corners that resist water absorption keep snowmelt moving away from the wood.

Changing the opening size is a different level of work. An experienced contractor will expand the rough opening by rebuilding the framing around the door and replacing the header, then install the new door and repair the walls. It’s a big job and will probably make the most sense in the context of a major remodel. Before going down that road, remember the custom option: doors can be ordered in custom sizes, so you might be able to update your entrance without resizing the opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “2-8” mean on a door? It’s the width — 2 feet 8 inches, or 32 inches. That’s a common single-door size and meets the 32-inch minimum width required in commercial settings to accommodate wheelchair users.

Which door material lasts longest in a cold, wet climate? Fiberglass. It’s highly durable, energy-efficient, and resists weather better than steel or wood. Steel can rust where the finish breaks down, and wood requires the most maintenance to prevent warping or rot.

Should I order a prehung or a slab door? Prehung comes with a frame and is easier for full replacements. A slab is just the panel — best where the existing frame is in excellent condition. Check the sill before deciding.

Can I add sidelights or a transom later? Plan them up front. If you add either or both, order these windows at the same time as the door and plan the entryway design with all the features in mind.

Is Low-E glass worth it? In a cold climate, yes. Low-E insulating glass lowers energy costs, keeps the home warmer in winter, and reduces condensation — and ENERGY STAR versions are matched to your climate region.

Do I have to specify swing direction? Yes. Decide if you want the door to swing inward or outward, and make sure there’s enough space for whichever you choose. The 6-panel units are available in both left-hand and right-hand hinging.