Why are doors different anyway?

Question

Why do some doors open left and some doors open right? Is it wall placement and all? Is it for left/right handed people? Do they differ in price?  Why do some doors open inward and some open outward?  is it more efficient? Is it a safety measure?  Why do some refrigerators doors open left and some open right?   Do the manufacturers also make this for convenience in the home? (Open away from walls)? Do the prices vary based on how it opens? Or other factors like accessories/ motor/ size/ etc?  - I don’t know, I just started randomly noticing doors in a different way. 😆  (All images sourced from Google)

Fireguy17 · Accepted Answer

A lot depends on where they are and do they open in or out.
An exit door on a public building has to open to the outside. Picture an emergency situation, people are trying to escape, do you think the crowd of people will stop and pull the door towards them?
That would not work.
That is why most exit doors have the panic bar on them.
Even if you get pushed into the door it will open vs having to use a regular door knob.
So depending on where it is placed and what is behind it determines the swing of the door.
Any other door it is for logistics.

BoopBoopBeep · Accepted Answer

Stairs, entrance clearence, bathroom codes can all affect interior door swing direction. So can simple aesthetics, efficiency and line of sight if partially opened.

Fridges are usually reversible on mid-range and above, but typically open to the right because most people are right handed.

The door itself is typically no different left or right hung for a room door. Just depends on which side you put the hinges.

NamerOfStars · Answer

Don't forget the opening mechanism! Doorknobs are... look, they suck. You need a nearly-whole hand with solid grip strength to make use of them; it's rough for people with relevant disabilities. Handles and latches are far superior for this purpose, and I suspect they've only faded from popularity since, well...

BonzoInBitburg · Answer

Doors open into a room and towards a wall to make traffic flow easier. Closets usually open out because there's not enough space to open inside the closet, except walk in closets. Exterior doors by code need to open out in hurricane areas so that the wind will not blow the door open off its hinges. Apartment doors need to have a fire rating as do doors from the house to the garage. Doors from the house to the garage have to be self closing in most states

boobliker · Answer

it's all down to what is inportant in the use of the door Mc Dees alway open out to help you when leaving with a lot of food, but banks and bookies open in as they want you to get in and drop off your money. so when looking at a door and how it opens will tell you if it's good or not.

Wiredone · Answer

Refrigerator doors can open both ways depending on your kitchen layout.

Bedroom doors open inward towards a wall for better flow.

Basement, utility room and garage doors always open inward for safety purposes.

They have different styles of doors for people's different tastes.

Garage, basement and utility doors will always be steel for fire rating.

GuyAnswersGirls123 · Answer

I always thought it was a lack of standards. It's annoying to me since I end up like this:

Jennz6 · Answer

In wind zones the door opens out, safety

KrakenAttackin · Answer

Some doors have specific requirements (i. e. fire proof doors, spray tight doors, exterior vs interior doors.).

shortster · Answer

Depends on which side of the door you are on.

noohair · Answer

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