DOOR HARDWARE - Door Sets - Handing Left or Right?

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DOOR HARDWARE - Door Sets - Handing Left or Right?

Q: How do I determine the handing for my door set?

A: Handing for door sets is determined by standing on the outside facing the door. If the hinges are on the left hand side, you need a left handed door set. If the hinges are on the right hand side, you need a right handed door set. For a diagram and a more detailed explanation see below.

Preface:
In order to remove confusion and the possibility of receiving the incorrect hardware for your door, we ask you to review the following documentation so you may properly identify the correct handing for your application. We understand that not everyone agrees on the proper method of handing, so we ask you to please follow the examples below so that you and our staff will have a common reference in picking the proper hardware for your needs. Handing is either left or right for passage, privacy and single dummy conversion door sets with levers and tubular entry sets with levers. To determine handing for mortise lock entrysets that are for in swing doors opening into the building or room use the top diagram to determine left or right handing. For out swing doors with entry mortise locks use the bottom diagram to determine left or right handed reverse. Handing does not need to be determined for double dummy lever sets. When purchasing a double dummy door set you may select either the Right Hand or Left Hand version from the drop-down list.

To determine handing for door sets, you must first determine which side is the outside of the door. Look at the door in question.

If you are standing at the door to your home, and are going inside, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.
If you are in a hallway, looking at your bedroom door, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.
If you are standing in a bedroom with a bathroom attached, you are standing on the OUTSIDE of the bathroom door.
If you are in your garage and going in to your home, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.

Now for the easy part ...

Stand on the OUTSIDE facing the door. Whichever side the hinges are on determines the door handing. If the hinges are on the right, it's a right hand door. If the hinges are on the left, it's a left hand door. If the door swings out toward the outside then the handing is left handed reverse or right handed reverse depending upon which side hinges are on.

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