Common Door Sizing Issues in Older Leeds Homes (and How to Fix Them)

Leeds is full of characterful older homes—from Victorian terraces in Headingley and Chapel Allerton to 1930s semis in Roundhay, bungalows in Cross Gates and traditional stone cottages across West Yorkshire. While these properties have charm and history, they often come with one major challenge: non-standard internal door sizes.

Whether you’re renovating, replacing one damaged door, or upgrading your entire home with modern internal doors, sizing problems can create unexpected complications. At The Door Line, we regularly help homeowners in Leeds identify and resolve these issues through our professional door measurement service and expert supply and fit installations.

This guide explores the most common door sizing issues found in older Leeds homes—and how to fix them quickly, safely and cost-effectively.

1. Non-Standard Door Frame Sizes

Many older homes were built before today’s standardised door dimensions existed. As a result, you might find:

• Narrower-than-standard internal doorways

• Shorter door heights (especially in cottages and terraces)

• Wider internal frames that don’t match modern door widths

For example, standard UK door sizes are typically:

• 1981 x 762mm (30″)

• 1981 x 838mm (33″)

• 2040 x 826mm

But older Leeds properties often vary by 10–50mm in either direction.

How to Fix It

• Choose internal doors that offer trimming allowances

• Opt for LPD doors, many of which allow generous trimming

• Have a professional measure your frames before ordering

• Consider frame replacement if the existing lining is severely uneven

The Door Line’s pre-order measurement service ensures the door you buy fits perfectly—saving time, money and stress.

2. Warped or Out-of-Square Door Frames

With age, timber frames can shift, twist or bow. Older Leeds terraces and cottages often have door frames that are far from square due to:

• Historic movement in walls

• Settlement of the building

• Temperature and humidity fluctuations

• Old or damaged timber linings

This means even a correctly sized door may scrape, stick or fail to latch.

How to Fix It

• Replace old door linings with new, straight casings

• Use packers and shims during installation to create a perfectly level frame

• Choose a supply and fit service to ensure precise adjustments

• Consider a solid core door for better long-term stability

Professional joinery is essential here—DIY fitting often makes the issue worse.

3. Thick Plaster and Irregular Walls

Older Leeds homes often have deep plasterwork or uneven internal walls, making door linings difficult to fit correctly.

This can cause:

• Gaps between the frame and plaster

• Misaligned architraves

• Doors that close unevenly

How to Fix It

• Install adjustable door linings

• Re-plaster around the frame if needed

• Use wider architrave sets to cover imperfections

• Allow expert joiners to custom-fit trims and mouldings

The Door Line’s joiners tailor each installation to the home’s quirks—important for properties with uneven wall depth.

4. Oversized or Undersized Door Openings

In many pre-1950s homes, internal openings were built to suit whatever materials were available—meaning no two doorways are exactly the same.

You might have doorways that are:

• Too narrow for standard internal doors

• Too tall, leaving large gaps

• Too wide, requiring an oversized custom door

How to Fix It

• Add or remove packing in the lining

• Trim down large doors within manufacturer guidelines

• Replace the frame completely for undersized openings

• Order special sizes if needed—LPD Doors offer bespoke options

A measurement service prevents costly ordering mistakes.

5. Replacing Doors in Loft Conversions

Many Leeds loft conversions (especially older ones) use atypical door sizes due to sloped ceilings or non-standard joist layouts.

Common issues include:

• Reduced head height

• Narrow openings

• Asymmetrical frames

• Difficulty meeting fire regulations

How to Fix It

• Install FD30 fire-rated doors with correct intumescent kits

• Rebuild the lining to create a usable opening

• Choose internal doors with flexible trimming allowances

• Ask for professional advice before ordering

Fire safety compliance is especially important in lofts—The Door Line specialises in FD30 internal door fitting.

6. Old Frames That Don’t Meet Fire Regulations

In multi-storey or rental properties, older door linings may not be suitable for modern fire-rated doors.

How to Fix It

• Replace linings with fire door compliant frames

• Install FD30 or FD60 doors where required

• Use fire-rated hinges, latches and intumescent seals

• Ensure installation is carried out by experienced joiners

Our supply and fit team ensures full compliance with current regulations.

7. Inconsistent Door Sizes Throughout the Property

Older homes often have different door sizes from room to room, making it difficult to buy a full matching set of doors.

How to Fix It

• Choose internal doors available in multiple size options

• Use trimming to standardise door heights across the home

• Replace linings to allow consistent door sizes

• Ask for advice on which ranges offer the best flexibility

LPD door ranges carried by The Door Line typically offer numerous size options, ideal for renovation projects.

Why a Professional Measuring Service Matters in Older Leeds Homes

If your home was built before the 1980s, accurate measurement is essential. DIY measurements often overlook:

• Frame squareness

• Margin allowances

• Wall thickness inconsistencies

• Required trimming limits

• Fire-door compatibility

The Door Line’s pre-order measuring service ensures you order the exact door sizes needed—no mistakes, no returns, no fitting issues.

Why Choose The Door Line for Older Leeds Property Upgrades?

We specialise in:

• Internal door supply and fit across Leeds & West Yorkshire

• Expert measurement for non-standard internal door sizes

• LPD internal doors with generous trimming allowances

• FD30 fire door installation

• Full frame replacement and joinery service

• Custom fitting for older homes and heritage properties

Our professional joiners ensure your new doors fit perfectly—even when your home doesn’t.

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