--- title: What should my door margins be? description: The margin is the space between the door panel and the frame and/or sill. The purpose of the margin is to allow the door panel the clearance to open and close properly, while keeping the weather on the outside. --- [Skip to content](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/what-should-my-door-margins-be#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![BetterDoor.com Logo File.png\]](https://help.betterdoor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BetterDoor.com%20Logo%20File.png?height=40&name=BetterDoor.com%20Logo%20File.png) - [Home](https://www.betterdoor.com/) - [About](https://www.betterdoor.com/about-us/) - [Products](https://www.betterdoor.com/shop/) Show submenu for Products - [Sills & Sill Systems](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/sills-and-sill-systems/) - [Locks & Hardware](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/locks-and-hardware/) - [French Door Solutions](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/french-door-solutions/) - [Weathersealing](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/weathersealing/) - [Rot-Proof Door Frames](https://betterdoor.com/product-category/exterior-door-frame-jamb-rot-repair-kit/) - [How To](https://www.betterdoor.com/learn/) - [Contact](https://www.betterdoor.com/contact-us/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.betterdoor.com/) - [About](https://www.betterdoor.com/about-us/) - [Products](https://www.betterdoor.com/shop/) Show submenu for Products - [Sills & Sill Systems](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/sills-and-sill-systems/) - [Locks & Hardware](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/locks-and-hardware/) - [French Door Solutions](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/french-door-solutions/) - [Weathersealing](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/weathersealing/) - [Rot-Proof Door Frames](https://betterdoor.com/product-category/exterior-door-frame-jamb-rot-repair-kit/) - [How To](https://www.betterdoor.com/learn/) - [Contact](https://www.betterdoor.com/contact-us/) - English Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [General Door Questions](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/general-door-questions?hsLang=en) # What should my door margins be? ## The margin is the space between the door panel and the frame and/or sill. The purpose of the margin is to allow the door panel the clearance to open and close properly, while keeping the weather on the outside. There are several margins to understand around a door panel: - **Hinge Margin**: Space between the door panel and door frame on the hinge side of the door. A standard hinge margin is **1/16"**, but can vary based upon the hinges used. - **Strike Margin:** Space between the door panel and door frame on the strike, or handle, side of the door. The standard strike margin is **5/32"**. - **Top (Header) Margin:** Space at the top of the door panel. A typical top margin or header margin is **1/8"**. - **Bottom (Sweep) Margin:** The bottom margin varies based upon the swing of the door system. For an **inswing door**, the bottom margin is the space between the bottom of the door panel and the top of the sill cap. An inswing sweep margin is typically **7/16"**. **For an outswing door**, the bottom margin is the space between the bottom of the door panel and the sill deck. The outswing bottom margin is typically **1/8"**. - **Sidelite Margin**: Sidelites are stationary panels that only need enough space to be installed into the door frame. The typical sidelite margin is **1/32"**. - [BetterDoor Site Questions](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Bulk Orders](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#bulk-orders) - [Shipping](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#shipping) - [General](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#general) - [Returns](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#returns) - [Payment](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#payment) - [Product Reviews](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/betterdoor-site-questions?hsLang=en#product-reviews) - [General Door Questions](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/general-door-questions?hsLang=en) - [Astragals & French Door Solutions](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/astragals-french-door-solutions?hsLang=en) - [Locks and Hardware](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/locks-and-hardware?hsLang=en) - [Sills and Sealing Systems](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/sills-and-sealing-systems?hsLang=en) - [Technical Documents](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Weathersealing - Weatherstrips](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#weathersealing-weatherstrips) - [Lock Parts & Accessories](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#lock-parts-accessories) - [Traditional Sills](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#traditional-sills) - [Ultimate Flip Lever Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-flip-lever-astragal-resources) - [Ultimate Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-astragal-resources) - [Lock Systems](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#lock-systems) - [Ultimate Multi-Point Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-multi-point-astragal-resources) - [Sill Caps](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#sill-caps) - [Lock Handsets](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#lock-handsets) - [General Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#general-astragal-resources) - [Weathersealing - Door Bottoms](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#weathersealing-door-bottoms) - [Weathersealing - Corner Pads & Seals](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#weathersealing-corner-pads-seals) - [Ultimate Trilennium Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-trilennium-astragal-resources) - [Ultimate Hurricane Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-hurricane-astragal-resources) - [Z-Articulating Cap Sill](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#z-articulating-cap-sill) - [Sill Kits](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#sill-kits) - [Z-Series Sill System](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#z-series-sill-system) - [Ultimate Lite Astragal Resources](https://help.betterdoor.com/en/knowledge/technical-documents?hsLang=en#ultimate-lite-astragal-resources) - [Home](https://www.betterdoor.com/) - [About](https://www.betterdoor.com/about-us/) - [Products](https://www.betterdoor.com/shop/) - [Sills & Sill Systems](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/sills-and-sill-systems/) - [Locks & Hardware](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/locks-and-hardware/) - [French Door Solutions](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/french-door-solutions/) - [Weathersealing](https://www.betterdoor.com/product-category/weathersealing/) - [Rot-Proof Door Frames](https://betterdoor.com/product-category/exterior-door-frame-jamb-rot-repair-kit/) - [How To](https://www.betterdoor.com/learn/) - [Contact](https://www.betterdoor.com/contact-us/) [![BetterDoor.com Logo File.png](https://help.betterdoor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BetterDoor.com%20Logo%20File.png?width=735&height=162&name=BetterDoor.com%20Logo%20File.png "BetterDoor.com Logo File.png")](http://betterdoor.com) Help Center Copyright © 2026, BetterDoor