Which Way Does It Swing? A Guide To Door Handing

One aspect of hinge specification that often gets our customers scratching their heads is door handing.

Door handing refers to the direction a door closes, determining where the hinges and handle are positioned. Handing is essential in selecting the correct lift-off, rising/falling or conductor hinges, ensuring that the door operates smoothly and works properly in the space. While the majority of our other hinges are not handed as such, some other hardware, like locks and handles, can also be handed, so always check when you are selecting hardware for a handed door.

At Cooke Brothers, we use a distinctive method for determining door handing – clockwise and anti-clockwise – that we hope makes more sense to our customers:

Clockwise Handing

When viewed from above the door, if it closes by rotating clockwise, it’s considered clockwise handed.

Anti-Clockwise Handing

If the door closes by rotating anti-clockwise when facing it, it’s termed anti-clockwise handed.

This approach that we use at Cooke Brothers offers a straightforward way to identify door handing based on the door’s movement direction. For more detailed information, you can refer to Cooke Brothers’ website or give us a call, and we will talk you through it.

This handing model is particularly useful with some of our specialist hinges:

7915/7916 Loadmaster Rising Lift-Off Hinge

This is a heavy-duty hinge with a “rising” feature, meaning it lifts the door slightly as it opens to make the door self-closing and is often used in bathroom cubicles. This hinge’s lift-off function allows easy door removal without needing to unscrew the hinge. This hinge is ideal for replacing an existing door, ensuring smooth operation and easy removal.

7705/7706 Concealed Bearing Flag Hinge

The concealed bearing flag hinge is designed for smoother, quieter operation thanks to its built-in bearing mechanism. The flag hinge style allows for a streamlined installation, and the “concealed” design means the hinge is less visible, improving the door’s aesthetics. This hinge is a good choice for doors in office or retail spaces where a clean, polished look and smooth operation are necessary. Since it’s designed for doors opening clockwise, it’s perfect for internal doors in settings like corporate offices, showrooms, or retail environments. This hinge meets the high standards of the door industry, ensuring reliability and performance.

7735 Concealed Bearing 4-Wire Conductor Hinge

This hinge includes a 4-wire conductor for doors with integrated electronics for access control or security systems. The wires run through the hinge, powering devices on the door like card readers and electric locks while concealing and protecting the wiring. Perfect for doors in secure environments or where electronic access control is used, it’s commonly found in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings requiring high-security standards since the concealed bearing ensures a sleek appearance. The conductor hinge isn’t a load bearing hinge though, so it should always be used in conjunction with additional standard hinges.

Understanding this terminology is crucial when selecting hinges to make sure they match the intended door handing and function correctly. Still confused? Look at the Cooke Brothers website, or feel free to contact us we’d be happy to walk you through it!