Door Hanging Convention

Understanding Door Handing

When ordering custom doors, specifying the correct hand is essential for proper fit and function. Door handing describes which side the hinges are on and which direction the door swings. The convention is simple: stand on the outside of the door (the side from which you push it open), and note which side the hinges are on. If the hinges are on the left, it is a left-hand door. If the hinges are on the right, it is a right-hand door.

For interior doors, the "outside" is typically the hallway or common area side. For exterior doors, the outside is literally the exterior of the building. Reverse-hand doors swing toward you rather than away, and are specified as left-hand reverse or right-hand reverse.

Why Handing Matters for Custom Millwork

Estate Millwork manufactures each door to your exact specifications, including handing. For louvered doors, the louver angle is set during construction so that louvers properly shed water on exterior applications and provide the correct visual appearance when viewed from the primary side. Raised panel and flat panel doors are typically symmetric and can be hung either way, but specifying the hand at the time of order ensures proper hinge mortise placement if you request pre-hung preparation.

Handing for Paired and French Doors

For French doors and paired openings, handing determines which door is the active leaf and which is the stationary leaf. A common configuration is a right-hand active door paired with a left-hand stationary door, though this can be reversed depending on your floor plan and traffic flow. Bifold and bypass closet doors follow different conventions -- contact us if you need guidance on these configurations.

If you are unsure about handing for your project, call our team at 412-641-0177 and we will help you determine the correct specification before your order enters production. Getting the hand right the first time saves time and ensures your custom Estate Millwork door fits perfectly in its opening.