How to Choose Storm Door Hinging: Left, Right or Universal


Before you buy a new Larson storm door for your entryway, it’s important to understand the difference between left-hinged, right-hinged and universal storm doors. You can choose from a variety of Larson storm door hinge options, so start by measuring your doorway and then find the storm door swing direction that fits your space and installation needs.

What is universal hinging on a storm door?  

Universal hinging is a unique feature found on many Larson storm doors that allows you to install the door so it can open from either the left side or right side. This gives you the flexibility to choose the storm door hinge orientation that’s best for your entryway based on your home’s layout and your existing entry door.

Larson also manufactures left and right hinged doors that feature pre-installed hinge rails. When looking at a door from the outside, left-hinged doors will have the hinges on the left and right-hinged doors will have hinges on the right. 

Benefits of Pre-Drilled vs. Universal Hinge Doors

So, how do you choose the door that’s right for you? It all comes down to personal preference, the setup of your entryway and your DIY skills. If you haven’t considered the direction you’d like your door to swing, try testing the doors inside your home to see which direction feels best. 

Tip: Think about which swing direction will provide the best flow of traffic and the easiest access to your home. If a wall, railing or landscaping partially obstructs your main entryway door, it might impact whether you need a left hinged vs. right hinged door.

When it comes to installation, pre-hinged doors are quicker and easier to install. Since the door includes a pre-installed hinge rail and handleset holes, all you have to do is install the door and a handleset of your choosing. 

Some Larson storm doors have left- or right-hinge installation with universal hinging, so you can choose the direction you’d like your door to swing as you’re installing it. Unlike left- or right-hinged doors, universal hinging storm doors don’t have preinstalled handlesets or hinge rails. However, they include a template and drill bit to create an opening for your handleset. While universal hinge doors require more preparation during installation, they also provide greater flexibility and can be a good choice if you aren’t sure which swing you will prefer.

Watch our how-to video to see how to install a universal hinging door and read our storm door installation guide to learn more. 

Larson Storm Door Hinge Options

FAQs

What does left- or right-hinged storm door mean?

A left- or right-hinged storm door refers to the side where the hinge appears when you view the door from the outside. If the hinges are on the left, it's a left-hinged door; if they’re on the right, it’s a right-hinged door. This determines which direction the door will swing open.

How do I know which way my storm door should swing?

Start by standing outside your entryway. Consider nearby obstacles like walls, railings, or landscaping. Choose a swing direction that allows for the smoothest entry and doesn’t block walkways or your main door’s handle.

Can I change the swing direction on a storm door?

You can’t change the swing on a pre-hinged door, but universal hinge doors that feature left- or right-hinge installation let you choose the swing direction during installation. This provides more flexibility if you're unsure what will work best.

Is a universal-hinge storm door harder to install?

Universal-hinge storm doors require a few more steps during installation, such as drilling handle holes and installing your handleset and hinge rail. However, they include templates and tools to guide you, and the added flexibility is often worth the extra prep, especially for DIYers.

What are the advantages of a pre-drilled storm door?

Pre-drilled storm doors make installation faster and easier since the hinge rail and handleset openings are already in place. If you’ve already determined your preferred swing direction and want a quicker setup, a pre-drilled door is the right choice.

Does Larson make doors with reversible hinging?

Yes, Larson offers doors that include left- or right-hinge installation. You can install these doors to open from the left or right, giving you more options and convenience during installation.