Generally, we see doors swing both ways in restaurants and commercial buildings. Many residential doors might also swing both ways. But if the door swings only one way, you might face problems accessing it easily. So, you probably want to have a door that swings both ways.
Generally, making a door swing both ways is possible. But you might don’t know how to make a door swing both ways. Well, several processes are available for doing this. You have to know details about the processes to make a door swing both ways effectively.
Can a door swing either way?
Yes, a door can swing either way. Generally, many building codes prohibit attaching a door that swings either way.
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But a door that swings both ways is essential where the weather is too much to handle. Moreover, this type of door is common in restaurants, commercial buildings, and busy places.
A double-acting door has this feature of swinging either way. You can swing the door to both inside and outside. Even if you don’t have a double-acting door, you can make the door swing either way.
So, a door can swing either way if it has the feature. Besides, if you change its mechanism, it can swing either way.
What do you call a door that swings both ways?
A door that swings both ways have several names. Generally, people call this type of door a double-acting door. Moreover, a door that swings both ways is also called a double swinging door or impact traffic door.
This type of door is convenient for busy places. For example, in a restaurant, it’s not possible to open the door always from inside. So, a double swinging door makes the door easy to use from both sides. Thus customers get easy access to the restaurant.
If you want to make a door swing both ways, you can also do it with your regular house doors.
How to make a door swing both ways?
You have to change the doorstop of the door to make it swing the other way. For doing this, you have to remove the door, doorstop, and hardware. Then you have to decrease the width of the door. Besides, you have to apply double-acting hinges and adjust spring tension.
If you want to turn a regular door into a swinging door, you have to attach a 2-way swing door. But you have to know the mechanism first. Then you have to follow a step-by-step process. So, let’s see how you can make a door swing both ways.
Removing door and its hardware:
Generally, when you want to change a door’s mechanism, you have to remove the door and its hardware first. You have to remove the screws in the hinges. Then you have to remove the hinges also. Then you have to remove other hardware like the doorknob and striker plate.
Removing the doorstop:
Generally, a doorstop helps to seal the door from opening the other way. So, after removing the door and its hardware, you have to remove the doorstop from the doorjamb.
Then paint the jamb to cover the bare spots. Otherwise, the bare spot will not look good when the doorstop is removed.
Decreasing the door width:
You have to decrease the door width by about ½ inch. Otherwise, the door might not get enough room to move easily. Moreover, the wide door might cause binding.
So, you have to cut off about ½ inch width from the door. After that, you can sand the edges to make the door smooth again.
Applying double-acting hinges:
If you want to make the door double-acting, you have to attach the double-acting hinge also. So, you can measure from the top, corner, up, and bottom. Then you can mark at 7 inches on the side of the door opposite the knob that supports the double-acting hinges.
Now, you have to open the hinge leaves. Screw the door leaf according to the mark with the top edge. Then you have to screw the second hinge to the bottom, with the bottom edge of the hinge. Finally, you can close the hinges.
Attaching the door to the doorjamb:
Keep the door in the right place. Then you have to swing the jamb leaf out on the top and bottom hinges. Flush the leaf straight on the door jamb for both hinges. Then screw the leaf to the side of the jamb. Do the same for both hinges.
Adjusting the spring tension:
The final step is to adjust the spring tension to know whether the door swings easily or not. If the door swings easily, you can insert the locking pins. Otherwise, you have to tighten the spring and test the tension again.
What type of hinge opens both ways?
Bi-fold hinge or double action hinge opens both ways. Generally, hinges play a great role in how the door will open. If you want to make a door open both ways, you have to change the hinge.
So, you have to attach a Bi-fold hinge. Generally, Bi-fold hinges are two hinges with various lengths that are multi-leaf. This hinge allows the door to swing both ways and in the same direction.
A Bi-fold hinge is also called a double-action hinge. Because this hinge acts in both ways. The Bi-fold hinge has multiple pivot points that allow the door to travel at a greater angle.
Can a shower glass door or kitchen pantry door swing both ways?
Yes, a shower glass door can swing both ways. Similarly, kitchen pantry doors can also swing both ways. Generally, glass doors can open outward and inward in both directions.
The shower doors should allow easy access to a showering person in case of a fall. For example, an inward-opening shower door can be an obstruction. This can be an obstruction when a person falls in the shower next to it.
The same goes for the kitchen pantry door. So, the shower door or kitchen pantry door must be swinging both ways.
Can a fire door swing both ways?
Yes, a fire door can swing both ways. Even every fire door should swing both ways. Generally, fire doors are one of the most sensitive doors. When it catches fire, the fire door should be in such a way so that a person can see through the door from both ways.
Moreover, if the door swings both ways, a person can escape if needed. Moreover, safety should be maintained in both ways. So, a fire door should swing both ways and most buildings have this type of door.
Can a screen door swing both ways?
A screen door can swing both ways. But a screen door doesn’t need to swing both ways compulsorily. Many people like to have the screen door reserved for opening one way. But if you want to make a screen door swing both ways, you can do it.
You have to change the mechanism of the door to swing both ways. The mechanism is the same as changing the regular door. So, a screen door can swing both ways if the door is a double-acting door.
Final Thoughts
Making a door swing both ways requires changing the mechanism of the door. If you want to make a door swing both ways, you have to remove the door and change the hinges. You will need Bi-fold or double action hinges to make the door open inward and outward.