You need to install a new door or choose the appropriate hardware, but you are faced with the question: right or left-hand, inswing or outwing? Figuring out the swing directions is easier. In this article, you will get a step-by-step guide, learn why you should know how to identify the exterior or interior door, and find answers to common questions.
Why is it essential to determine the direction of the door opening?
Actually, the reasons are many:
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Choosing a new door or replacing an old one. Left/right-hand doors are designed differently, so a mistake could make the purchased door unit unsuitable for your opening.
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Purchasing hardware. Hinges, locks, and closers are also manufactured for different swing directions.
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Interior layout. Once the door is installed, it mustn't interfere with furniture, another door, etc.
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Fire safety. In public areas, doors should usually open in the direction of egress.
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Compliance with building regulations.
Step-by-step instructions on how to determine the opening of a swing door
There are several ways to determine the type of door opening. However, the most clear and understandable is the following algorithm of actions, with the help of which you will cope with the task without error.
Step 1: Get into the correct position
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For an exterior door: Stand outside the building (house, apartment, or office) and face it.
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For an interior door: Stand outside the room, facing it.
Check yourself: Now, you should stand in front of a closed door. If you open it and enter the doorway, you will be in the right room.
Step 2: Determine inswing or outswing door
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Inswing door: If the door opens inwards, i.e., you push it, this is the inswing direction (IS).
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Outswing (reverse) door: If the door opens outwards, i.e., you pull it, this is the outswing direction (OS).
Check yourself: When standing as described in Step 1, the hinges on swing doors are not visible, but they are visible on outswing doors.
Step 3: Determine right-hand or left-hand door
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Right-hand door: the hinges are on the right side of the slab, and the handle is on the left:
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If the door opens inward to the right, it's a right-hand inswing door (RHIS).
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If the door opens outward to the right, it's a right-hand outswing door (RHOS).
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Left-hand door: the hinges are on the left side of the slab, and the handle is on the right:
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If the door opens inward to the left, it's a left-hand inswing door (LHIS).
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If the door opens outward to the left, it's a left-hand outswing door (LHOS).
Check yourself: You open a right-hand door with your right hand and vice versa—a left-hand door with your left hand.
Chart of opening directions for single and double doors
|
Swing direction |
Hinge visibility |
Inswing or outswing |
Right-hand of left-hand |
Handing |
|
Pushes inward to the right |
Not visible |
Inswing |
Right-hand |
Right-hand inswing (RHIS) |
|
Pushes inward to the left |
Not visible |
Inswing |
Left-hand |
Left-hand inswing (LHIS) |
|
Pulls outward to the right |
Visible |
Outswing |
Right-hand |
Right-hand outswing (RHOS) |
|
Pulls outward to the left |
Visible |
Outswing |
Left-hand |
Left-hand outswing (LHOS) |
|
Pushes inward (primary right) |
Not visible |
Active inswing |
Right-hand |
Right-hand active inswing |
|
Pulls outward (primary left) |
Visible |
Active outswing |
Left-hand |
Left-hand active outswing |
FAQ
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Right-hand door VS left-hand door: what are the differences?
Regardless of the inward or outward direction, right-hand doors open to the right, and left-hand doors open to the left.
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What is a right-hand inswing door?
If you are standing outside the room facing the slab (in this case, the hinges are not visible) and the door opens inward to the right, it's a right-hand inswing door.
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What is a left-hand inswing door?
If you are standing outside the room facing the slab (in this case, the hinges are not visible) and the door opens inward to the left, it's a left-hand inswing door.
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What is a right-hand outswing door?
If you are standing outside the room facing the slab (in this case, the hinges are visible and located to the right) and the door opens outward to the right, it's a right-hand outswing door.
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What is a left-hand outswing door?
If you are standing outside the room facing the slab (in this case, the hinges are visible and located to the left) and the door opens outward to the left, it's a left-hand outswing door.