Entry Doors

Double Entry Doors in 2026: A Complete Guide for Toronto Homes

Elegant double entry door with sidelights on a Toronto brick home in 2026
03
Jun
 

Double entry doors make an immediate impression. A matched pair of full-height doors flanking a Toronto home’s entrance communicates quality, scale, and intention in a way that a single door simply cannot. But choosing double entry doors in 2026 involves considerably more than picking a style you like. Material performance in Ontario’s climate, rough opening requirements, multipoint hardware, and proper installation are all factors that determine whether you end up with a beautiful, lasting entrance or an expensive source of drafts and service calls. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying.

Browse our entry door collection to see current double door options available for Toronto homes, or continue reading for the full guide.

What Are Double Entry Doors?

Double entry doors consist of two door panels hung in the same frame – typically each panel measuring 24 to 36 inches wide, creating a combined opening of 48 to 72 inches or wider. One door is usually the active panel (the one you open daily) and the other is the inactive or stationary panel, held in place by flush bolts at the top and bottom of the frame. For wider openings, both panels can be designed as active. Double doors may be paired with sidelights (narrow glass panels on either side) or a transom window above to allow natural light into the foyer.

Material Options for Toronto’s Climate

Material choice is the most consequential decision in a double entry door purchase for Ontario homes, where temperatures range from -30C in winter to +35C in summer. Three materials dominate the Toronto market:

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is the dominant choice for quality double entry doors in Ontario and the first material we recommend for most Toronto homeowners. Modern fiberglass doors resist warping, cracking, and rotting through extreme temperature cycling. They accept wood-grain textures that are difficult to distinguish from real wood at normal viewing distances, and they take stains and paint well. An insulated fiberglass door system with a polyurethane foam core achieves thermal efficiency levels impossible with wood. Fiberglass doors from quality manufacturers like Masonite, Therma-Tru, and Luma carry 20-year or lifetime warranties against delamination. See our fiberglass door options for current inventory.

Steel

Steel double entry doors offer excellent security and lower upfront cost than fiberglass. Modern steel doors use 20-gauge or heavier steel skins over a thermal-break frame. The main limitation for Toronto homes is denting – steel doors can be dented by impact and are more difficult to repair invisibly than fiberglass. They are also more prone to surface rust at cut edges or paint chips if not properly maintained. Steel is a solid choice for garages or secondary entries but fiberglass is generally preferred for prominent front-entrance double doors.

Wood

Solid wood double entry doors are available and remain a legitimate choice for premium applications. Species like mahogany, Douglas fir, and white oak resist movement better than softwoods. However, all wood doors require annual or biennial maintenance (refinishing, resealing) to withstand Ontario’s humidity swings, and even well-maintained wood doors will require more service attention than fiberglass over a 20-year horizon. Wood is appropriate for heritage homes where accurate period appearance matters, or for homeowners prepared to commit to the maintenance schedule.

Double entry door hardware options including multi-point lock and wrought iron handles

Sizing and Rough Opening Requirements

Standard double entry door widths for Toronto homes are 60 inches (5 feet), 64 inches, and 72 inches (6 feet). The rough opening needs to be approximately 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the door unit to allow for shimming, leveling, and frame fitting. Minimum rough opening for a 60-inch double door is typically 62 inches wide by 82 inches tall (for a standard 80-inch height door). Measure your existing opening or the rough framing carefully before ordering – pre-hung units are assembled to specific rough opening dimensions and cannot be adjusted on-site without custom work.

Double entry door sizing guide infographic showing standard widths and heights for Toronto homes

Hardware and Locking Systems

Double entry door hardware involves both the active panel hardware (handle, deadbolt) and the inactive panel flush bolts. For the active panel, consider a multipoint locking system that engages at three or more points along the door height – this provides significantly better air sealing and security than a standard single-point deadbolt. Schlage, Emtek, and Baldwin are reliable hardware brands with good availability in Canada. The inactive panel requires top and bottom flush bolts, ideally surface-mount automatic flush bolts that engage when the door closes rather than requiring manual engagement.

Disclaimer: This article is for general guidance only. Costs, products, regulations, and best practices change. Luma Doors is not liable for outcomes from actions taken based on this content. Always confirm measurements, specifications, and building code requirements with a qualified professional for your specific project.
Installers fitting a pre-hung double entry door unit into a Toronto home rough opening

Installation Considerations

Double entry door installation is more complex than a single door installation because both panels must be perfectly plumb and level relative to each other and the frame simultaneously. Misalignment results in panels that do not seal properly or bind against each other. Pre-hung double door units arrive with the frame assembled and the doors hung at the factory – this is the standard modern approach and is strongly preferable to site-built framing for most residential installations. Proper air sealing at the threshold, head, and side jambs is critical for energy performance. The threshold assembly must accommodate any difference between interior and exterior floor levels while maintaining a tight weatherseal.

Cost Range in Toronto (2026)

Double entry door systems in Toronto range significantly in price based on material and design complexity. Entry-level steel double door units start around $1,500 to $2,500 installed. Mid-range fiberglass double door systems with decorative glass and standard hardware run $3,500 to $6,000 installed. Premium fiberglass or wood systems with custom glass, multi-point locking, and complex casing trim can reach $8,000 to $15,000 or more. These ranges reflect the full scope of supply and installation by a licensed contractor. Material-only cost from a supplier is 40 to 60% of the total installed price.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular material for double entry doors in Toronto?+

Fiberglass is the most popular choice for double entry doors in Toronto and most of Ontario. Fiberglass doors resist warping, cracking, and rotting through Ontario’s extreme temperature cycles – from -30C winters to +35C summers. They accept wood-grain textures convincingly, insulate well with foam cores, and are available with 20-year or lifetime warranties from leading manufacturers. Steel is the second most popular choice for its lower cost and security, but it dents more easily and requires more maintenance than fiberglass over time.

What size rough opening do I need for double entry doors?+

Standard double entry doors come in 60-inch (5 ft), 64-inch, and 72-inch (6 ft) widths. The rough opening needs to be approximately 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller than the door unit to allow for shimming and frame fitting. For a standard 60-inch double door, the minimum rough opening is typically 62 inches wide by 82 inches tall for an 80-inch-high door. Always measure your specific framing before ordering, as pre-hung units are manufactured to exact dimensions.

Do double entry doors require a building permit in Toronto?+

Replacing an existing door with a same-size or smaller door in the same opening typically does not require a permit in Toronto. However, if you are enlarging the opening, changing the structural framing, or the work is part of a larger renovation, a permit may be required. The Toronto Building Division website has current permit requirement guidance. When in doubt, contact your local building department – a quick call can confirm whether your specific project needs a permit before work begins.

How much do double entry doors cost to install in Toronto?+

Double entry door installation in Toronto ranges from approximately $1,500 for entry-level steel systems to $6,000 to $15,000 for premium fiberglass or custom wood systems. Mid-range fiberglass double doors with decorative glass and standard hardware typically run $3,500 to $6,000 fully installed. Material accounts for 40 to 60% of the total, with the balance covering installation labour, framing adjustments, trim, and weatherstripping. These are 2026 estimates and vary by project complexity.

What is a multipoint locking system on a double entry door?+

A multipoint locking system engages the door at three or more points along its height simultaneously when you lift the handle – typically at the top, middle, and bottom of the active panel. This creates a much tighter weatherseal than a standard single-point deadbolt and provides significantly better security and resistance to forced entry. Multipoint systems are standard on premium European-style entry doors and are increasingly common on North American double door systems. They cost more than single-point hardware but are strongly recommended for double doors where air leakage at the inactive panel can be significant.

Sources and References

Ready to Upgrade Your Front Entrance?

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Marek K.

Written by

Marek K.

Entry Door Installation Lead

Marek has installed thousands of steel and fiberglass entry doors across Toronto, Mississauga, and Vaughan since 2006. He specializes in tricky retrofit installs on older GTA homes where the original rough opening is out of square.