When I try to order hardware or doors I’m regularly asked for the “handing” of the “opening.” What is considered an opening and what is door handing? Is there a door handing guide that will allow me to figure this out prior to requesting a quote or placing an order?
Door handing can get confusing for seasoned veterans of the industry let alone newcomers or those who don’t work with it regularly. The “handing” of a door refers to the direction the door swings. This is important for a couple of reasons – first and foremost, when installing a door the handing verifies the door swings in the proper direction. Second, the door and hardware MUST be handed alike in order to function as they were designed. Order a left-hand door and a right-hand lock and you’re looking at a change order; they just don’t work correctly together.
An opening is an all-encompassing term to describe the open area of wall space that is designated for the door, frame, and hardware to be installed. If you were to refer to the door, that would imply the physical piece of material that will be used as the door; whereas, the opening refers to anything and everything that accompanies said door. This can include the door, locking hardware, exit/panic device, access control hardware, threshold, weatherstripping, rain drips, window viewers, closers, alarms… I think that covers everything. These items are referred to as a hardware set, and most openings have a unique combination of items to be installed.
Door Handing Guide
Now that you know exactly what the door handing is, how do you determine the handing of your openings? There are four ways a door can be handed:
- Right hand
- Right hand reverse
- Left hand
- Left hand reverse
Door Handing Guide – Trick #1
Stand outside of the room you want to secure and grab the lever. Whichever hand you grab the door with will help you determine the handing of the door.
- If you push the door into the room the door is going to be right or left hand depending on which hand you grabbed the lever with. For example, if you grab the door with your left hand and push into the room, the door is left hand.
- If you pull the door toward you it will be right hand reverse or left hand reverse depending on which hand you grabbed the lever with. For example, if you grab the door with your left hand and pull it toward you, the door is left hand reverse.
Door Handing Guide – Trick #2
Stand in the doorway with your back against the hinge and point your arm in the direction the door swings.
- If the door swings into the area you are securing, your door will be left or right handed depending on which arm you are pointing with. For example, if you are pointing into the area with your right arm the door is right handed.
- If the door swings out of the area you are securing, your door will be either left or right hand reverse. Note that the handing will be opposite of the hand you are pointing with. For example, if you are pointing out of the area with your right arm the door is left hand reverse.
Door Handing Guide & Tricks in Action
Or if you want a quick reference to glance at while you’re trying to place an order, we’ve been using this door handing guide for years at the office. It comes in especially handy for new hires or department transfers!
Door Handing Guide
