How is the hand of a door determined?

The determination of a door's hand is based on the location of the hinges. In the context of door terminology, the hand of a door refers to which side the hinges are mounted on when facing the door from the outside. For example, if the hinges are on the left side and the door opens away from you, it is considered a left-hand door. If the hinges are on the right side and the door opens away from you, it is considered a right-hand door. This classification is crucial for installation and understanding how a door operates within a space, particularly in ensuring that it swings correctly and aligns with surrounding features such as walls, furniture, or other doors.

The other considerations, such as the color of the door or the type of doorknob, do not influence the classification of how the door swings or its hand designation. While the way a door swings open might seem relevant, it is the hinge placement that is the definitive factor in determining the door's hand. Thus, recognizing the importance of hinge location is essential for both practical installation and accurate communication in construction and design contexts.