Common Door Types

Standard Swing

Door pivots on hinge side, secured on latch side.

Most common interior and exterior door.

Fire Door

Same as standard swing, but is required to be self-closing, etc.

Standard Swing Double

Same as single with latching between doors or with dummy hardware, latching is at the head.

Elevator Door

Same as standard swing, usually with closer. Floor lock mechanism supplied by elevator contractor to keep door from opening when not at that floor.

Jib Door Concealed

Typically a swinging door, decorated or not decorated to mimic the surrounding wall.

Applications

Concealment with molding is best achieved as an inswing on center pivot hinges. If center pivot is also a closer, no hardware is required on the concealed side.**

Concealment flush, including baseboard (if present) is achieved best with concealed hinges and touch latch on out-swinging closet doors.*

Panels/Applied Moldings and Outswing – Can only be accomplished with offset pivot or butt (possibly wide-throw) hinges. Pivots are more commonly used for this application because they are less visible.

*If pass-through rather than closet, use magnetic catch and routed pull rather than touch latch.

** Whenever a closer is used, make sure any surface mounted handles are well anchored. Typical single dummy application will not withstand the extra load of the closer.

Embrasure

Swinging door that opens into a pocket in the wall. Open door is flush with wall. This can only be accomplished correctly with Harmon hinges. Hardware on pocket side has to be flush. Trim on opposite side can be flush, typical house lever, etc. – Not limited. All common functions are possible (passage, privacy, entry, etc.)

Dutch

Standard swing door, split in height, typically around 42” from bottom. Any common function is applicable, but all will use a surface mounted bolt to attach the top and bottom leaves so that it can be used as a single swinging door.

Screen

Typically outside of an entry door, swinging out from the building. Passage or patio function, usually self-closing. Clearance between it and main door can be an issue for hardware. Dimensions should be checked.

Pocket

Sliding door that pockets into a wall, usually completely. Edge pulls used to draw door out of pocket. Flush pulls to slide door when closed or partially open. Good quality track systems are crucial to smooth operation and serviceability.

Bi-Pass

Doors typically 2-4, the slide left and right.

Found in lower tier projects on closet doors.

Bi-Fold

Doors, typically 2-4, that fold to one or both sides of the opening.

Found in lower tier projects on closet doors.

Barn Doors

Doors that slide in front of a wall.

Design statement, privacy/locking, difficult/expensive.

Exterior Sliding

Sliding glass doors made by window manufacturers, typically provided with hardware. Few options for retrofit. Track system always provided by door fabricator.

Entrance or patio.

Lift & Slide

Sliding door that is lifted by lever to operate, then dropped back down to close or leave open. Lever typically inside, flush pull typically outside.