Expert advice from Bdoors on measurements, materials, swing direction, hardware, and lead times.
One of the most common — and costly — mistakes when buying interior doors is ordering based on the finished opening rather than the rough opening. European door systems like those from Proma are engineered to precise tolerances, and even a few millimeters of error can mean the door won’t fit or will require expensive on-site modifications.
Before placing any order, always measure the rough opening: the width and height of the framed opening before casing or trim is applied. Share these measurements with your supplier and let them calculate the correct door size.
Standard doors in the U.S. are typically 80 inches tall. But modern interiors — especially in Miami’s luxury residential and hospitality market — increasingly feature 9, 10, or even 12-foot ceilings. Installing a standard-height door in a tall-ceiling space creates a visual disconnect that undermines the entire design.
European door systems are available in full-height configurations that extend from floor to ceiling, creating a seamless, architectural look. Always consider ceiling height before selecting door dimensions.
Swing direction — which way the door opens and whether it’s left-handed or right-handed — is one of the most frequently overlooked details at the ordering stage. Reversing a door swing after installation is not always possible, and ordering a replacement means additional lead time and cost.
Walk through each room with your floor plan and determine swing direction before ordering. Consider traffic flow, furniture placement, and whether the door should swing into or away from the room.
Miami’s climate — high humidity, salt air, and intense UV exposure — affects interior finishes differently than in drier climates. Lacquered doors in high-humidity environments require proper sealing and climate-controlled interiors to maintain their finish over time. Wood veneer doors need to be specified with the right core material to resist warping.
Always discuss the project environment with your supplier. At Bdoors, we help clients select the right finish based on the specific conditions of their space — whether it’s a beachfront condo, a hotel corridor, or an air-conditioned office.
European doors are designed with specific hardware systems — hinges, locks, handles, and flush pulls — that are integrated into the door’s construction. Using incompatible hardware, or assuming any handle will work with any door, is a common mistake that leads to poor function and aesthetics.
When ordering doors, specify the hardware at the same time. This ensures everything is pre-drilled and compatible before the doors arrive on site. At Bdoors, we supply complete door systems including coordinated hardware from European manufacturers.
European interior doors are not off-the-shelf products. They are ordered from manufacturers in Spain and other parts of Europe, which means lead times of several weeks are standard. Contractors and developers who factor in door delivery times too late in the project schedule frequently face delays that push back completion dates.
The rule of thumb: order doors at the same time you finalize floor plans — not when you’re ready to install. At Bdoors, we work with project teams early in the process to ensure doors arrive on schedule.
On projects with multiple doors — whether a multifamily building, hotel, or large residence — ordering without a formal door schedule is a recipe for errors. A door schedule documents every opening: dimensions, swing direction, finish, hardware, and fire rating requirements. Without it, inconsistencies are almost inevitable.
For any project with more than four or five doors, always prepare or request a door schedule before placing the order. This document becomes the single source of truth for everyone involved — architect, contractor, and supplier.
The most common mistake is not measuring the rough opening correctly. Many buyers measure the finished opening — after trim and casing — rather than the structural rough opening, which leads to doors that don’t fit without costly modifications.
As early as possible — ideally when floor plans are finalized. European interior doors are made to order and shipped from Spain, so lead times of several weeks are standard. Waiting until you’re ready to install almost always causes project delays.
Stand in the doorway facing the room you’re entering. If the hinges are on your right and the door swings away from you, it’s a right-hand door. If the hinges are on your left, it’s left-hand. Always confirm swing direction with your floor plan before ordering.
Not always. European door systems use specific hardware that is integrated into the door’s construction. It’s best to order hardware and doors together from the same supplier to ensure compatibility in dimensions, pre-drilling, and finish.
Lacquered and laminated finishes perform well in Miami’s humid climate when the interior is climate-controlled. For areas with higher moisture exposure, laminated finishes tend to be more resilient. Wood veneer doors should be specified with a moisture-resistant core. Always discuss your specific environment with your supplier.
A door schedule is a document that lists every door in a project with its dimensions, swing direction, finish, hardware, and any special requirements. For any project with more than four or five doors, a door schedule is essential to avoid ordering errors and ensure consistency across the entire installation.
Whether you are an architect, contractor, developer, or homeowner, our team is ready to help you select the right European door system for your space.
