I would like to buy or build a bidirectional swinging storm door that swings either from the right or from the left (not just in or out from one side). I remember seeing a door like this that had two sets of hinges on either side of the door frame. Either there was a frame within a frame or one set of hinges released depending on which way you opened the door. Does anyone know how they work? Can I buy one?
Thanks,
DLYoung
Replies
Greetings dlyoung, As a first time poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
I am wondering what reason that you would want such a beast?
I want a closeup photo. :o0
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
I am looking to put in something similar for a walk-in pantry. I was thinking more like saloon doors where both swing in and out. The panty is a tight space so having one door the entire width of the opening would be a little much both in the pantry as well as from the hall (should it open outward). For this reason is why I was thinking of this. Also, the saloon doors I am looking to build/buy don't need to meet the floor or the top of the opening. We just want some separation.
I haven't started researching this yet but figured I'd chime in as the topic arose.
I think the original post was on an entirely different 'page'. I gather you are talking about a pair of doors - I think the first guy was talking about a single door that would function as a left hand or a right hand. I'm guessing a hardware kit for such a beast doesn't exist if no one has responded in a week - we have quite a collection of knowledge here and I think someone would have known at least a little something... Not that one couldn't be built... But why?
I'd say start your own thread - I know they have hardware kits for your application. Matt
That much different that want I understand that he wants.You are talking about cafe doors.http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/dr_hardwood/article/0,2037,DIY_13796_2273196,00.htmlAs I understood it he want a door that was both left handed and right handed hinges. You could grab a handle on either side of the door and it would hinge on the other side.
Whoops. You are right. I was reading that the hinges should swing in or out. Thanks for the link.
When he speced a stormdoor I figured maybe he has a congested entry area he is dealing with or just wants to have the choice when moving items in and out thru the door.
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
Why not make a glass turnstyle? LOL..Allah The Hilton. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Time, time, time look what's become of us..Time is all we have, spend it wisely with fervor..dance for no reason, love with out plans and live without worries..we all can.
I put a several doors in last year with rixon (unsure of spelling) pivot hinges the problem I ran into was to get them to work without having to bullnose the door on both sides. I laid out full scale the door and placement of the pivot then struck the radius of the larger outside swing and the smaller inside swing. The I built the outside jamb out of three pieces following the radius, and on the inside the jamb is built out of five peices with a square inset to allow the door to swing. When closed it looks like a typical door. I will explain more if you're intersted.
Dear quicksilver,Thanks for the reply. I am interested in knowing more about the bidirectional door you built. Anyway you could post a picture? Where did you get the hinges?Thanks,David
I have the spelling in my cell phone as Rixon. 800 457 5670 In my case I only wanted the door to swing one way that is why I described a boxed out recess on the hinge side. You amy use the box or apply the three pieces like i describe on the latch side. Lay it out full scale to find out. In your case take a piece of plywood and draw the door out full scale draw and arc 3/16'' or a 1/4'' outside the plane of the door (representing the door and its clearance to the jamb). Then swing an arc from the pivot point of the hinge to the left and right side of the door and clearance space. Make the call to find out har far the pivot point is recommended from the edge of the door. In my case there where three different doors with slightly different applications I applied this technique to, and I don't think I used the exact recommended pivot appoint on either. So if you have to alter it for some logistical reason it can be done within reason. When you have this laid out on ply would it will show you whether door is going to swing now you have to plot the jamb around the arcs so that in the closed position it looks like a typical door. There is a picture of the doors on the site under the photo section marked 'Georgetown Remodel' There is no definitive close up but it is the one with wainscott on on side and a moc up mahogany door on the other. Try the lay out and it should show you the way, at least you'll know if its possible..I'm here for more help if you need it.
Mojo: Cafe door hinges--- My wife picked up a pair of fine cafe type doors (trash day and were at curb waiting for pickup) but the hinge was only on the door and the part of the hinge that went on the jamb was missing. I went on web and got to Rockler web site and they have the "cafe door hinge that is great for the cafe style door. Stock number 70425 and cost today $6.39 per pair. The hinge is self centering swing type. You can go to Rockler web site and see picture of this hinge. Hope this may help others that need cafe door hinges.
The door to my house exits in the middle of a long narrow deck. It would be much easier to exit either left or right without having to exit, let the door swing back and then proceed. Any ideas?David
If there's room for it, how about a door in a door? For example, a 40" door hinged left and within this door a 34" door hinged right. You would have to build it yourself and it may not ever seal quite right, but it certainly would be a conversation piece.
And then, within that smaller door, a doggie door and a cat door within that...
-Don
Many years ago there was a refrigerator built this way. The handle on the outside was in the shape of a wide V, centered on the door. You'd push down on one arm of the V to open from one side, the other arm to ope from the other side.
If I were going to attempt this for something like a storm door I think I'd do something like this:
-- Have pivot pins project up from the threshold and down from the upper frame on each side of the door.
-- The door would basically sit against the pivot pins (door on outside, pins on inside).
-- On the top and bottom edges of the door would be sliding members with slots cut in the ends. When the slide is over to one side it engages the pin on that side, when on the other side it engages the other pin.