Door Handing Explained

Door Handing: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Door Orientation

Selecting the correct door handing is essential when purchasing doors for your home. However, the door industry uses two common methods to determine door handing, and understanding these is key to making the right choice. At US Door & More, we use the outside-facing method for determining door handing, and each of our product listings includes clear images to help you visualize the handing.

This guide explains both methods, highlights their differences, and ensures you select the correct handing when shopping with us.

 

Two Common Methods for Determining Door Handing

1. The Outside-Facing Method (Used by US Door & More)

  • Stand outside the room or building, facing the door.
  • Inswing Doors:
    • Hinges are not visible.
    • If the door opens inward to the right = Right-Hand Inswing (RHIS).
    • If the door opens inward to the left = Left-Hand Inswing (LHIS).
  • Outswing Doors:
    • Hinges are visible.
    • If the door opens outward to the right = Right-Hand Outswing (RHOS).
    • If the door opens outward to the left = Left-Hand Outswing (LHOS).
Right-Hand_Inswing_9a0dd1c4225ad98dddae23678daa8149
Right-Hand Inswing (RHIS)
If the door opens inward to the right, it is a Right-Hand Inswing (RHIS).
Left-Hand_Inswing_dcd829b896445cbe30f13128ecc46b88
Left-Hand Inswing (LHIS)
If the door opens inward to the left, it is a Left-Hand Inswing (LHIS).
Right-Hand_Active_Inswing_1f29f07fd20bb4f9185e386c50d86150
Right-Hand Active Inswing (RHIS)
Hinges on the right, and the primary door swings inward to the right.
Left-Hand_Active_Inswing_7d265e3ac5956248961510d8c26a47d0
Left-Hand Active Inswing (LHIS)
Hinges on the left, and the primary door swings inward to the left.
Right-Hand_Outswing_Left-Hand_Reverse_cb4be7eab60fa52cf1084c70bf704c07
Right-Hand Outswing (RHOS).
If the door opens outward to the right, it is a Right-Hand Outswing (RHOS).
Left-Hand_Outswing_Right-Hand_Reverse_076863674ff50930dea205b1e163c9d4
Left-Hand Outswing (LHOS)
If the door opens outward to the left, it is a Left-Hand Outswing (LHOS).
Right-Hand_Active_Outswing_Left-Hand_Reverse_497741f4298155f19dece8cb567487aa
Right-Hand Active Outswing (RHOS)
Hinges on the right, and the primary door swings outward to the right.
Left-Hand_Active_Outswing_Right-Hand_Reverse_c5bc020af7e2c68699e644a1147b0c36
Left-Hand Active Outswing (LHOS)
Hinges on the left, and the primary door swings outward to the left.

Quick Reference Table

Door TypeSwing DirectionHinge VisibilityHanding
Single Door, InswingPushes inward to the rightHinges not visibleRight-Hand Inswing (RHIS)
Single Door, InswingPushes inward to the leftHinges not visibleLeft-Hand Inswing (LHIS)
Single Door, OutswingPulls outward to the rightHinges visibleRight-Hand Outswing (RHOS)
Single Door, OutswingPulls outward to the leftHinges visibleLeft-Hand Outswing (LHOS)
Double Door, Active InswingPushes inward (primary right)Hinges not visibleRight-Hand Active Inswing
Double Door, Active OutswingPulls outward (primary left)Hinges visibleLeft-Hand Active Outswing

2. The Hinge-Facing Method

The hinge-facing method is a simple way to determine door handing by focusing on the hinges' placement and the direction the door swings. Follow these steps:

  • Stand With Your Back to the Hinges

    • Face the direction of the door's swing (whether it’s inward or outward) with the hinges directly behind you.
  • Observe Which Hand the Door Opens Toward

    • For Inswing Doors (no reverse terminology):
      • If the door swings inward to the right, it is a Right-Hand Inswing (RHIS).
      • If the door swings inward to the left, it is a Left-Hand Inswing (LHIS).
    • For Outswing Doors (reverse terminology):
      • If the door swings outward to the right, it is a Right-Hand Reverse (RHR) (equivalent to a Left-Hand Outswing in the outside-facing method).
      • If the door swings outward to the left, it is a Left-Hand Reverse (LHR) (equivalent to a Right-Hand Outswing in the outside-facing method).
Right-Hand_Outswing_Left-Hand_Reverse_cb4be7eab60fa52cf1084c70bf704c07
Left-Hand Reverse
If the door swings outward to the left, it is a Left-Hand Reverse (LHR) (equivalent to a Right-Hand Outswing in the outside-facing method).
Left-Hand_Outswing_Right-Hand_Reverse_076863674ff50930dea205b1e163c9d4
Right-Hand Reverse
If the door swings outward to the right, it is a Right-Hand Reverse (RHR) (equivalent to a Left-Hand Outswing in the outside-facing method).
Right-Hand_Active_Outswing_Left-Hand_Reverse_497741f4298155f19dece8cb567487aa
Left-Hand Reverse
Left-Hand_Active_Outswing_Right-Hand_Reverse_c5bc020af7e2c68699e644a1147b0c36
Right-Hand Reverse

Comparison of Methods

To ensure clarity, here’s how the hinge-facing method (with reverse terminology) compares to the outside-facing method:

Door Swing DirectionOutside-Facing MethodHinge-Facing Method (Reverse)
Pushes inward to the rightRight-Hand Inswing (RHIS)Right-Hand Inswing (RHIS)
Pushes inward to the leftLeft-Hand Inswing (LHIS)Left-Hand Inswing (LHIS)
Pulls outward to the rightRight-Hand Outswing (RHOS)Left-Hand Reverse (LHR)
Pulls outward to the leftLeft-Hand Outswing (LHOS)Right-Hand Reverse (RHR)

Key Takeaways

  • Inswing Doors: Both methods use identical terminology.
  • Outswing Doors: The terminology differs:
    • Right-Hand Outswing (RHOS) = Left-Hand Reverse (LHR).
    • Left-Hand Outswing (LHOS) = Right-Hand Reverse (RHR).

This aligns with industry standards and explains the distinction when switching between the outside-facing method and the hinge-facing method with reverse terminology.


Conclusion

At US Door & More, we use the outside-facing method, where the handing of outswing doors directly corresponds to the visible hinge placement and the swing direction when viewed from outside. Each product on our website includes detailed images and descriptions to make choosing the correct door handing clear and straightforward. If you have questions or need further clarification, our team is always here to help!