Ordering a door in the wrong size is one of the most expensive mistakes in a renovation: you can't simply "trim" a factory frame, and waiting for a new order delays the whole job. The key is not to confuse the size of the leaf with that of the opening it will fit into.
Standard leaf widths in Spain
Interior passage doors in Spain are made in standardised leaf widths: 62.5 · 72.5 · 82.5 · 92.5 cm, with a standard height of 200 cm (a 210 cm option also exists). The most common leaf width in bedrooms and rooms is 72.5 cm; for the main passage or wider accesses, 82.5 or 92.5 cm is used.
The building opening is not the same as the leaf
This is where most failures happen: the building opening must be about 4-5 cm larger than the leaf so the frame fits (subframe + frame + fitting clearance). Ordering a 72.5 cm door for a building opening of exactly 72.5 cm is a mistake that forces you to chop out the wall or change supplier.
Before ordering any door, always measure the real opening on site — don't rely only on the plan — because in renovations of old homes it's common for the opening not to be exactly square.
Sliding doors: two different systems
- Pocket (in a cassette within the partition): requires the partition to be prepared from the build with the corresponding opening; it can't be added later without opening the partition.
- Surface-mounted, with external track: only needs wall to fix the track to and free space beside the opening for the leaf to slide. It is the option for renovations where you don't want to touch the existing partitioning.
Frame and architrave: the size depends on wall thickness
The frame must be ordered to the exact thickness of the wall (7 cm partition, 10 cm...). The most commonly used architrave width in housing is 70 mm; on wide openings or high ceilings, 90-120 mm looks better proportioned aesthetically.
Which board to use for made-to-measure furniture and trim
Beyond doors and windows, the choice of board greatly changes the result and cost of made-to-measure furniture:
| Board | Recommended use |
|---|---|
| Chipboard | Economical base for furniture covered in melamine or edging |
| Plywood | Stronger and more stable; phenolic/marine grade withstands outdoors and damp |
| MDF (fibreboard) | Smooth surface ideal for lacquering or painting; moisture-resistant (green) goes in bathrooms and kitchens |
| OSB | Technical platforms, dry partitions or temporary enclosures, left visible |
On all boards cut to size, a margin of 8-10% for cuts and offcuts is added over the area to cover, except OSB which usually takes 8%.
Frequently asked questions
What leaf width is most common in a Spanish home? 72.5 cm for bedrooms and interior rooms; 82.5 or 92.5 cm for main accesses or wider passages.
Can I order a door to the exact size of the opening? No: the opening must be 4-5 cm larger than the leaf for the frame to fit with fitting clearance.
Which board do I choose if I'm going to lacquer the furniture? MDF (fibreboard): its smooth surface takes paint or lacquer better than chipboard.
Conclusion
Distinguishing the size of the leaf, the building opening and the frame is what avoids the most expensive mistake in a joinery order: ordering something that then doesn't fit. Automating the breakdown with the exact measurements and the chosen material gives a clear quote for both the client and the door supplier.
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