Double Iron and Steel Front Doors: Sizes, Sidelights and Costs in Texas
Double iron front doors are the most requested entry we build in Texas. Two leaves give the house a stronger presence, bring more light into the foyer and make moving furniture easier. Before you order, you need to settle three things: the size, whether to add sidelights or a transom, and the budget. This guide walks through each.
Standard sizes for double iron doors
Every Blackline door is built to the opening, but most double iron doors start from one of these sizes. The same sizes apply whether you call them iron double doors, steel double doors, double iron entry doors or wrought iron double front doors:
- 72" × 96" (6 × 8 ft). The standard double door, two 36" leaves. Fits most single-story entries.
- 72" × 108" (6 × 9 ft). A step up for homes with 10-foot ceilings at the entry.
- 72" × 120" (6 × 10 ft). For two-story foyers and grand entries.
- Wider pairs. 80" and wider, with leaves sized to the opening, for oversized entries.
If you are measuring an existing opening, measure the width and height at three points and use the smallest numbers. Our guide on how to measure a door opening explains it step by step.
Sidelights and transoms
When the opening is wider than the pair you want, sidelights fill the space with fixed glass panels on one or both sides. They bring more light into the foyer and keep the doors at a comfortable size and weight. Sidelights are usually built in the same grid and glass as the doors, so the entry reads as one piece.
When the opening is taller than the doors, you can add a transom (a fixed glass panel above the doors) or build taller doors. On most modern entries a taller door looks cleaner; on traditional and arched entries, a transom or an arched top keeps the proportions right.
Design choices
- Top: square for modern and transitional homes; eyebrow or full arch for traditional and Mediterranean homes.
- Glass layout: full-view panes, divided lites or a grid pattern matched to your windows.
- Glass type: clear, rain or textured for privacy, and Low-E for sun-facing entries.
- Finish: matte black is the most requested; other colors can match your windows and trim.
- Hardware: one active leaf with the handle set and lock, one fixed leaf with flush bolts, all sized to the weight of the doors.
How much do double iron front doors cost in Texas?
As a ballpark, our custom iron doors run around $145 per square foot of door. For double doors that means:
- 72" × 96" (48 sq ft): around $7,000.
- 72" × 108" (54 sq ft): around $7,800.
- 72" × 120" (60 sq ft): around $8,700.
Sidelights and transoms are priced by their size and glass, and arched tops, special glass, upgraded hardware and replacement work add to the total. Your written quote shows the exact price and lead time. More detail in how much custom iron doors cost in Texas.
Common mistakes when ordering double doors
- Measuring the old door instead of the opening. The new pair is built to the rough opening, so measure that, or let us confirm it on site.
- Oversizing the leaves. Very wide leaves get heavy and harder to operate. Past a certain width, sidelights are the better answer.
- Forgetting the swing. Check furniture, rugs and stairs in the foyer before choosing in-swing, and consider out-swing on exposed entries that take wind-driven rain.
- Choosing glass last. Glass changes privacy, light and heat in the foyer. Decide clear, rain or Low-E together with the design, not after.
- Ignoring the rest of the elevation. A double door that matches the grid of your windows and the finish of your railings looks designed; one that does not looks added on.
Double doors in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas
Black double front doors look different in each part of Texas. In Houston, brick traditionals and farmhouse homes favor divided lites and square or eyebrow tops; see custom iron doors in Houston. In San Antonio and Stone Oak, arched pairs framed in limestone are the classic choice. In Austin and Dallas, full-glass modern pairs and tall entries are more common; see iron doors in Austin and custom iron doors in Dallas–Fort Worth.
Get a price for your double door
Send rough sizes and a photo of your entry through the quote form. We reply with pricing and a lead time, then confirm measurements on site before shop drawings and fabrication. Or browse layouts on our custom iron entry doors page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a double iron door?
72" × 96", two 36" leaves. Taller pairs of 108" and 120" are common for higher ceilings, and every door can be built to your opening.
How much do double iron front doors cost?
As a ballpark, around $7,000 for a 72" × 96" pair and around $8,700 for a 72" × 120" pair, before sidelights, special glass and site work.
Should I add sidelights or make the doors wider?
If the opening is much wider than 72", sidelights usually look better and keep each leaf at a comfortable weight. We recommend a layout when we quote.
Do both leaves open?
One leaf is active for everyday use. The second is held by flush bolts and opens when you need the full width.
