Key Takeaways
- Pedestrian doors: standard is 3'0" × 7'0" (single leaf), 6'0" × 7'0" (pair). Oversized: 3'6" or 4'0" × 8'0".
- Sectional overhead doors: stocked in 1-foot increments from 8'0" × 7'0" to 24'0" × 24'0"; oversized to 30'0" × 20'0" with custom engineering.
- Loading-dock doors: 8'0" × 10'0" is North American standard, scaling to 12'0" × 14'0" for full-trailer access.
- Frame, opening, and rough-opening dimensions are different — confirm which one your spec is referring to before placing the order.
- Accessibility requires 32" clear opening minimum per CSA B651 — measured from the open door face to the strike jamb, not the frame width.
If you've ever ordered a commercial door and discovered after delivery that the opening size, frame size, and rough-opening size are three different measurements, you're not alone. This guide is a specifier reference for the most common Canadian commercial door dimensions, including the building-code clearances you need to confirm before placing the order.
Pedestrian doors — the workhorse 3'0" × 7'0"
The 3'0" × 7'0" single-leaf hollow metal door is the most-installed door in Canadian commercial construction. It accommodates wheelchair clear-opening (32" minimum per CSA B651), fits typical interior partition wall thicknesses, and matches stocked frame inventory at virtually every Canadian door distributor. Pairs (6'0" × 7'0") double the clear opening for service entries, hospital corridors, and high-traffic main entries. Oversized pedestrian — 3'6" × 8'0" or 4'0" × 8'0" — accommodates equipment movement and architectural premium-finish applications.
The dimension callout matters: frame opening is the inside dimension of the frame; door size is slightly smaller (frame opening minus 1/8" to 3/16" total clearance). When you specify "3'0" × 7'0" door", your supplier delivers a door that fits in a frame whose opening is 3'0-3/16" × 7'0-1/8".
Rough-opening dimensions for drywall versus masonry
| Frame type | Rough opening (single 3'0" × 7'0") | Why |
|---|---|---|
| KD (knock-down) drywall frame | 3'2" × 7'1" | Frame depth requires extra width and head clearance |
| Welded masonry frame | 3'2-1/2" × 7'2" | Concrete-block coursing typically 8" tall, frame head fits between courses |
| Welded steel-stud frame | 3'2" × 7'1" | Same as KD with welded vs assembly |
If your rough opening is wrong, the install is wrong. Always confirm the rough opening matches the frame catalog dimension before drywall closes the wall.
Sectional overhead doors — 1-foot increments
Commercial sectional overhead doors are stocked in 1-foot width and height increments, typically 8'0" × 7'0" to 24'0" × 24'0". Common sizes:
- 8' × 8', 8' × 10', 9' × 8' — small commercial bays, fire halls, retail back-of-house
- 10' × 10', 10' × 12', 12' × 12' — typical warehouse and dock applications
- 14' × 14', 16' × 14', 16' × 16' — heavy commercial, dealership service bays
- 18' × 18', 20' × 16', 20' × 20' — heavy-truck bays, manufacturing
- 24' × 20', 24' × 24' — largest stock; oversized requires custom engineering
Custom oversized (over 24' wide or 20' tall) — typically 6-12 week lead time with stamped engineering for track, springs, and operator. Hangar-style doors above 30' × 12' move into the hangar door category with bi-fold or vertical-lift mechanisms.
Header clearance and operator type drives sectional sizing
The stand-back between the inside-finished face of the wall and the operator/track determines whether you can install a standard low-head-room kit or need a high-lift. Standard low-head: 18-24"; high-lift: 36-60". Verify before ordering — retrofitting a high-lift onto an existing track requires complete rework.
Loading-dock doors and trailer compatibility
The 8'0" × 10'0" loading-dock door is North American standard — accommodates a typical 53-foot trailer with 51 inches of dock-floor-to-trailer-floor difference (compensated by the dock leveler) and trailer-roof clearance. 9' × 10' is common where dock-floor height varies. 10' × 12' and 12' × 14' for heavy-truck and oversized-trailer applications.
For vertical-lift dock doors at refrigerated docks, you trade door width for header clearance — verify mechanical headroom before specifying vertical lift.
Code-required clearances
Building code drives several mandatory clearances:
- CSA B651 / AODA accessibility — minimum 32" clear opening at every accessible entrance, measured between the open door face and strike jamb (not frame width)
- NBC 3.4 / OBC 3.4 fire egress — minimum 800 mm (31.5") clear at fire-rated egress doors; double-leaf required where occupant load > 200
- Hospital corridors — typically 44-inch clear minimum for stretcher and bed access (CSA Z8000 reference)
- Industrial impact — additional clearance for forklift mast height, typically 6-inch overhead minimum above raised forklift load
Common buyer mistakes
1. Ordering door size when the spec called for frame opening — door arrives 1/8" too small, doesn't fit 2. Ignoring rough-opening dimensions until drywall is done — costly repair 3. Specifying clear-opening width without accounting for door swing arc — double-egress doors interfering with corridor furniture or fire equipment 4. Forgetting accessibility clear-opening at strike jamb — frame width passes but open-door-face doesn't 5. Mismatching door height to header clearance — sectional door can't open fully
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the smallest commercial door I can order?
2'8" × 6'8" is the smallest stock pedestrian door, but it doesn't meet CSA B651 accessibility at 32-inch clear opening. For accessible installations, 3'0" × 7'0" is the practical minimum.
Can I custom-order any size?
Yes — custom widths to 4'0" and heights to 8'0" are standard with 2-3 week lead time. Larger custom sizes require engineering review and 4-6 week lead times.
What about oversized commercial doors over 24 feet wide?
These move into the engineered oversized category — sectional doors with custom track and spring engineering, typically 6-12 weeks. Above 30' × 12', consider hangar-door alternatives (bi-fold, vertical-lift fabric).
Do all commercial doors come in metric?
Yes — Canadian doors are stocked in imperial dimensions (3'0" × 7'0") but specifications and code references are often in metric (914 × 2134 mm). Manufacturers cross-reference both.
How do I match an existing door for replacement?
Measure frame opening, door panel size, gauge, and finish. We can usually match within 2-3 weeks from any major manufacturer's catalog.
FAQ
What is the most common commercial door size in Canada?
3'-0" × 7'-0" (914 × 2134 mm) is the most common single-leaf personnel door across all provinces. For overhead and dock doors, 9 × 10 ft is the dominant size in Canadian distribution.
Can a residential garage door be used commercially?
No. Residential operators are rated for 10 000–15 000 cycles per year and will fail under any commercial cadence. The frame, springs, and panels also lack the gauge required for code-compliant commercial use.
Do all provinces use the same size standards?
Sizes are dimensionally consistent across provinces, but provincial codes dictate fire ratings, accessibility (CSA B651), and structural requirements. A door correctly sized for Ontario may need a different label or hardware in Quebec.
Related: Commercial Door Installation · Hollow Metal Doors · Overhead Doors · Fire-Rated Doors · Loading Dock Doors