Doors are a crucial part of any building. They allow people to enter and exit rooms and buildings safely and securely. There are many different types of doors, but one of the most basic distinctions is between right hand and left hand doors. This refers to which side the hinges are on when facing the door from the outside. Understanding the difference between right and left hand doors is important for architects, builders, and anyone else involved in construction or remodeling. In this article, we’ll take a close look at what sets right and left hand doors apart and when you would choose one over the other.
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What is a Right Hand Door?
A right hand door has hinges on the right side when facing the door from the outside. When you pull the door open, the hinged side will be on your right. Right hand doors open inward, to the right. Most residential entrance doors are right hand doors, as are interior doors in homes.
Some key facts about right hand doors:
- Hinges are on the right side of the door frame when facing the door from outside.
- Door opens inward, to the right.
- Knob and latch are on the left side of the door.
- Common for front doors and interior doors in homes.
When standing outside a building in front of a right hand door and facing it, pulling the door open causes it to swing towards the right. The side where the door attaches to the frame with hinges is always on the right.
Advantages of Right Hand Doors
There are a few key advantages to choosing a right hand door:
- Feels natural to most people – Since the majority of people are right-handed, a right hand door suits the natural flow of opening a door with the right hand and entering leading with the right side.
- Convenient for entryways – Having the door swing inward makes it easier to close the door securely behind you when entering a building.
- Works well for small spaces – Opening to the right takes up less space than leftward opening doors.
Right hand doors feel intuitive for most right-handed people, allow for secure closure, and are ideal for entryways and smaller spaces. This makes them a popular choice for front doors and interior rooms.
What is a Left Hand Door?
A left hand door is simply the opposite of a right hand door. When facing the door from outside, the hinges are on the left side. The door will open inward, to the left.
Key facts about left hand doors:
- Hinges are on the left side of the door frame when facing the door from outside.
- Door opens inward, to the left.
- Knob and latch are on the right side of the door.
- Common for commercial buildings or anywhere a door shouldn’t obstruct foot traffic flow.
When you’re outside facing a left hand door, opening it will cause it to swing to the left. The hinges attaching it to the frame are always on the left side.
Advantages of Left Hand Doors
While less common in homes, there are situations where a left handed door is the better choice:
- Better for high traffic areas – The door opens away from the flow of people, so it won’t obstruct foot traffic.
- Increases accessibility – For facilities with wheelchairs, a door that opens left is easier to navigate.
- Safety for windowed doors – Allows more visibility when opening the door and keeps it out of the way.
- Aesthetic appeal – Can add an interesting, less expected element to a space.
Left hand doors support high traffic flow, accessibility, safety, and unique design aesthetics. This makes them well-suited for commercial buildings.
How to Distinguish Right vs. Left Hand Doors
Since the difference comes down to which side the hinges are on, an easy way to identify right vs. left hand doors is:
- Face the door from the outside, as if you are about to enter.
- Identify which side the hinges are on.
- If the hinges are on the right, it is a right hand door. If they are on the left, it is a left hand door.
You can also look at the side where the knob is. Right hand doors have the knob on the left facing the door from outside. Left hand doors have it on the right side instead.
Or simply open the door a couple inches. If it opens to the right, it’s a right hand door. If it opens left, it’s a left hand door.
Tips for Quickly Identifying Door Hand
- Face the door from the exterior side
- Note hinge side – right or left
- Note knob side – right or left
- Open slightly and note swing direction
With these tips, you can easily determine whether any door is right or left handed just by looking at it for a few seconds.
Standard Door Dimensions for Right & Left Hand Doors
While specific dimensions can vary, standard interior and exterior doors typically follow these general size guidelines:
Interior Doors
| Door Type | Door Size |
|---|---|
| Flush hollow core | 80″ height x 24″, 26″, 28″, 30″, 32″, 36″ width |
| Solid wood | 80″ height x 24″, 26″, 28″, 30″, 32″, 36″ width |
| Pre-hung interior | 80″ height x 24″, 26″, 28″, 30″, 32″, 36″ width |
Exterior Doors
| Door Type | Door Size |
|---|---|
| Entry door | 80″ height x 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″ width |
| Patio door | 80″ height x 60″, 72″, 96″ width |
| French door | 80″ height x 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″ width (per door) |
These provide rough size estimates, but always check measurements of existing doors or openings when replacing old doors or adding new ones. Custom sizing is also available.
Right and left hand doors typically adhere to the same size standards. The hand simply changes which side the hinges are installed.
How to Hang a Door (Right or Left Hand)
Installing a door the correct way for its hand is important for proper functioning. Here are some tips for hanging right or left hand doors:
- Check the measurements of the existing door frame or rough opening.
- Mark hinge locations – right or left side as needed.
- Install hinges using shims to ensure proper alignment.
- Set door into frame and test swing direction for clearance.
- Install knob hardware on correct side – right for left hand door, left for right hand.
- Install weatherstripping or door sweep for exterior doors.
- Perform final adjustments to ensure smooth operation.
Always follow the manufacturer’s specific installation instructions. Use shims as needed to make sure the door hangs straight within the frame.
If replacing an old door, be sure to note its existing hand and order the same for the new door. For new construction, choose the optimal door hand for the space.
How to Change the Hand of a Door
In some cases, you may need to reverse the handing of a door if it was hung incorrectly or you want the swing direction changed. Here is the process:
- Remove door from frame and detach all hardware.
- Reposition hinges onto opposite side.
- Bore new holes into door edge for handles/latch.
- Install hardware on opposite side.
- Rehang door in frame and test new swing direction.
- Make adjustments as needed for smooth operation.
Changing the hand requires removing the door, moving the hinges, and installing all hardware on the opposite side. Take care to fill old holes and drill new ones accurately.
Consider hiring a professional for this project if you don’t have carpentry experience. Always refer to the door manufacturer’s instructions too.
Choosing Right vs Left Hand for Doors
When selecting doors, keep these guidelines in mind for choosing the optimal handing:
- Right hand doors work well for most home entryways and interior rooms.
- Choose left hand doors for high traffic commercial spaces so the door swing doesn’t obstruct people flow.
- Accessibility standards often require left hand doors for approach and clearance.
- Side-by-side doors should open away from each other if possible.
- Study site plans to determine the best door swing direction.
Think about the location, usage, approach direction, and proximity to other doors or walls. Observe how people naturally traverse the space as well. This will point you towards selecting the ideal door hand for the situation.
Conclusion
Knowing the difference between right and left hand doors is useful for anyone involved in construction or renovations. The terminology simply indicates which side the hinges are located on. Right hand doors are most common for homes, while left hand doors accommodate high traffic patterns in commercial buildings. By studying the space and usage, you can determine the optimal door configuration. With the right selection and professional installation, the doors in a building will operate safely and conveniently for years to come.