Hinged left or right? How to make the right decision
A door opens either to the left or to the right – at its core, that's what the hinge direction is. When you choose an entrance door from us, you always specify this direction. But how do you know which one you need? The decision is more important than many people think – but fortunately, it can usually be clarified quickly. We explain what matters and how to proceed here.
Identifying the direction – it's easy
Every door, whether interior or an entrance door, has a fixed hinge direction: either left or right. This is therefore referred to as DIN left (hinged left) or DIN right (hinged right).
The easiest way to determine the direction is by the hinges: Stand in front of the closed door. If the hinges are visibly on the right from the outside, the door is hinged right (DIN right); if they are on the left, it is hinged left (DIN left). The handle also serves as a reference point – it is always on the opposite side of the hinges.
The correct opening direction is often predetermined
The direction in which your door should open often arises naturally. A look at the structural conditions or the floor plan helps: In the floor plan, the door is drawn with an arc or line indicating the opening direction – from this, you can see whether the hinge should be on the left or right. For an entrance door, the location of masonry, exterior walls, and the path into the house also play a role.
Changing the hinge direction afterwards? Usually not advisable
Theoretically, the hinge direction can be changed – but in practice, this involves considerable effort, so the correct choice from the outset is clearly the better solution. We also advise against simply determining the direction yourself during installation: opening directions are rarely random. An entrance door, for example, should open in such a way that it does not block pathways, escape routes remain clear, and the door can be operated comfortably. Also consider how the door relates to stairs, walls, or an awning.
Are you unsure which hinge direction is right for your entrance? Then we would be happy to advise you personally – our team will help you by phone and find the right solution with you.