Hi all,
I have a stupid question but since I can't come to everyone's home to take a poll, I have to do it this way. If you have double doors on the front of your house, which side is the "functioning" door? So, if someone rings your doorbell and you approach your front doors from INSIDE your house, do you open the left or the right? Also, when someone approaches your house from the OUTSIDE, is the doorbell on the left or the right?
I'm asking this silly question because I just had my entryway door ripped out and put new double doors in. No one ever asked me which door I wanted to be the functioning door so when they assumed which one, I hate it. They claim I can't change it and that it's standard to have it this way. So, I'm just curious to hear how others doors work.
Thanks for answering my silly question today:)
Thanks for your input. My doorbell is on the left (if facing the doors) but the company who built my doors made the right door the functioning door (if facing the door from the OUTSIDE). So if someone rings my doorbell on the left, they have to take two steps to the right cause that's the functioning door. I found this odd and when I pointed it out the company told me that it's standard like that.
Nope, one door here but all my friends that do have the doorbell on the right side of the outside (left side of the inside). Never thought about it.
If I am standing at the front door looking out, the doorbell is on the left and the functioning door is on the right. I think it's pretty standard that way.
Yes, almost all of the homes we decorate have the double doors and it is on the right side that they open. My inlaws home was also on the right, even though it was closer to the wall when you walked in. the door bell was also always on the right.
I guess because most people are right handed it would be a bit cumbersome to cross over and open the door on a left door with your right hand..
We have a double door in the house we just bought. I didn't have a choice...it was just built this way, but when I answer the door from the INSIDE, the door on the left is the functional door. So, from the OUTSIDE, the doorbell is on the wall on the left side and the functional door is the one on the right. I know that there may be a "standard" way to do this, but my friend is having a house built and I was at a meeting with their builder at the new house when they discussed this very issue, so if you're building, I think you have the option to choose. Sorry it didn't turn out how you wanted it. I'm curious though, which way does yours work? I don't think I've given it much thought since ours just came this way.
We have double doors. However, our right one is stationary/functioning - we have the locks on it so it does NOT open unless we intentionally open it.
Our door bell is on the left side walking up. And we open the door (as you walk up) on the right...I know backwards, but if you saw my home, you would understand.
Wouldn't trade my double doors though - love the flexibility to get furniture in and out.
That's actually a good question! I don't have double doors but I tutor in a lot of homes that do and I always ring the bell on the right and stand on the right and expect that door to open, which would be the left from the inside.
I have double doors and from the outside the doorbell and the operating door are both on the right side. I didn't have a choice on which side I wanted to be operational when I ordered it. Double doors are not interchangable either since one side is built to lock into the floor and ceiling for security.
There is no correct answer. What it usually comes down to is how each door opens into the house - say, up against a wall usually - it's going to be the door that provides the simplest ease into the house. As for switching the doors around, depending on the type of door, you may be stuck because to switch the hardware will leave holes. If your door is painted, then the holes can be filled and painted over. Our double door opens on the left side.
Standing outside looking at our front double doors, the doorbell is on the left hand side and the right hand door opens inward.
The doorbell is on the right as well as the opening door. I don't think you can change it typically unless you have it custom made. In short, you pick the door out and that is how the door will be at your house.
Good luck!
When standing outside it is the right that opens, the doorbell is also on that side. When inside you open the left.
We lived in an old house in Dallas and the door opened on the exterior right side into the foyer (door open all the way against foyer wall). From inside facing door, it would pull open to my left. Ironically the door bell and intercom were on the left exterior side. Many people complained that they couldn't find the door bell since it was on the side that didn't open (unless both doors were used - no center divide).
My parents house also had the same exterior right side open with the left door "pinned" at top and bottom inside (not functional, opened only for moving furniture through doorway). Their doorbell was on right side.
Hope this helps :)
If I am standing outside the doorbell and functioning door are on the left.
In every house I've ever lived in, EITHER door can be the 'functioning' door. Meaning you choose which side you keep locked and slide bolted up/down (because they both do it). We've had each be the common use one, it usually depended on if there was an interior wall. Usually, though, it was the door that was more medial to the house. (I moved every 1-2 years for 25 years)
If there's a weather strip which means one has to be opened first, it's pretty easy to either remove it, or remove it and place it on the other door. Some are just screwed on (super easy) some are nailed and glued. You have to pry those off and sand/paint or sand/stain where it was before attaching it to the other side.
My guess would be are you right or left handed and how much room there is on either side of the door.
We use the Right side (when standing Inside the house) to open/close. That door opens to be flat against the entry wall. [the left side of entry opens into dining room]
The doorbell is on that same side. So, it's on Left side when standing outside.
We have a wreath hanging on the 'stationary' side of the door & a door knocker on the working side.
I'm not quite sure why you can't can't just switch the hardware to open the door you prefer. Both doors can open, right? It's not like those french doors that open to the patio where only one is functional - or are they?
My left door (if you are outside) is the one that opens and where the doorbell is.
My MIL has them. The right side is functioning and the doorbell is on the right and this is if you're standing outside. Which one is yours on?
My mom has 2 double doors and the door on the right is the functioning door (like your house). It seems just right to me. But maybe it is also the layout of her house. (Her doorbell is on the left)
