Key Points
If a door has a left-hand swing or a right-hand swing depends on your hinge placement
Space, accessibility, weather and security should be considered when you’re deciding which way your door opens
Check building codes and prioritize safety to ensure the opening direction is compliant and safe
During door installation, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is deciding which way your door is going to swing open. No matter where you’re installing your security doors, it is important to consider which way your door will open to ensure that it isn’t going to hit a wall or any furniture.
Do you need a left hand door or a right hand door?
When installing steel security doors there is some terminology that you need to understand. There are right handed doors and left handed doors – this doesn’t relate to what hand you would use to open the door, but is instrumental in determining how a door will open. Here’s what they mean:
A left hand door
If you’re standing in front of a door from the outside of a room and the hinges are on the left side of the door frame with the door swinging towards you, this is a left handed door. This opening direction is also called an inswing door, as it swings inwards.
While if the hinges are on the left hand side and the door swings away, then you have what is called a left hand outswing door.
A right hand door
A right hand door is similar to the left hand door, but everything is reversed. If the hinges are on the right side and the door opens towards you, then you have a right hand door.
If the door swings outwards and the hinges are on the right hand side, then you have a right hand outswing door.
Do you need an inswing or outswing door?
A door will either swing into or out of a room when it is opened – but which one is right for you? There are a few things to consider:
Available space
When you consider your space, it may prove beneficial to have a door that swings in a certain direction so that it doesn’t hit any walls or furniture.
Requirements around accessibility
It is important to consider the access requirements of those who will be using your building. Exterior doors typically swing outward to so that people who need a wheelchairs or other mobility aids can enter the building more easily.
Outside conditions
Having an exterior door swing outwards is also ideal when considering bad weather. This is because they don’t let in as many wet puddles or trash.
Keeping secure
With regard to security, having an outswing door is also beneficial. Outswing doors make it harder for intruders to enter a premises from outside by forcing entry as the hinges are on the inside of the door.
How to choose the door handing
It can be a difficult decision to choose how you want your door to open – here’s how we suggest you figure it out:
Your space
Consider the space where your door is going to be installed. If there is a door currently there, then figure out if it is working for you, if there is not then look at anything that might be an obstacle or if there are any walls that might get in the way.
Building regulations
Generally, your door swing direction is up to you, but if you have a public or commercial building then there may be building codes to consider – make sure to check these before making a decision.
Safety
Be aware of health and safety factors. If you have any hazards or pinch points, consider the option that is likely to minimize these.
Contact us
It can be difficult to know what is the best decision, but at Doors4Security, we have years of experience and are happy to provide expert advice.
