Chances are that you’ve never taken the time to study which way the doors in your house swing – either to the right or left.
When you come to replace the doors in your home, if you order one with the hinges on the wrong side, it can be hugely frustrating, but there’s a simple guide to determine what would be best for your room.
Making The Decision
Sometimes it doesn’t really matter the type of swing you opt for, but in other cases, if you go for a swing the wrong way it may restrict its use.
For example, if there’s a wall to one side of the door or a wardrobe, then that’s the best place to install your hinges, so the door opens against the wall, leaving plenty of space and clearance.
You wouldn’t want the door to knock into a wall and damage walls or any paintwork. It really is best for you to decide whether you want the door to open to the left or right, bearing in mind if there are any obstructions and which feels most natural to you. There is no right or wrong way.
If there are no obstructions in the room, you may want to reach for the leaver in whatever way feels most comfortable.
People who are right-handed often prefer the lever on the right-hand side, but of course not everyone is right-handed and not all rooms are best laid out to accommodate this configuration.
How Do I Know If It Is A Left Or Right-Hand Swing?
It is common to get confused over the way your door swings, but one of the best ways to remember is to always look at the hinges rather than the handle itself.
Looking towards the door if the hinges on the left. Then you have a left-handed door and if it is on the right, then you have a right-handed one and this will determine the lock you require.
Remember it has nothing to do with where the handle is on the door, but where the hinges are positioned.
Changing Your Mind
It’s ideal to know from the beginning your best swing direction, but if you want to install a wardrobe, desk or bed in a room then you may want to change swing direction.
This is possible by modifying the position of the hinges and strike plate on the door jamb. You will then obviously need to replace the hardware on the door.
Many people who are DIY enthusiasts will attempt this themselves, but if you are not very competent
at carpentry skills, it may be a wiser decision to ask an expert to do it or order a new door which swings the right way.
A handling and swing direction of a door is important as both factors can affect space and how best to use it.
If you need further advice talk to the experts at Door Stop. We have a no quibble 7-year warranty on all our doors and offer 0% interest.
We have two showrooms in Perth, one in Osborne Park and Joondalup and have 35 years’ experience, so come and talk to us today about your requirements.
