The terms swing door and hinged door are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences—mainly in how they function and the hardware involved. Let’s break it down:
Hinged Door
- Definition: A door attached to a door frame using hinges on one side.
- Opening direction: Usually opens in one direction—either inward or outward, but not both.
- Common in: Most residential interiors and exteriors (like bedroom, bathroom, front doors).
- Hardware: Standard butt hinges or concealed hinges.
Swing Door
- Definition: A type of hinged door, but designed to swing in both directions—inward and outward.
- Mechanism: Uses a pivot hinge or a double-action hinge, usually mounted at the top and bottom rather than the side.
- Common in: Commercial kitchens, hospitals, saloons, and high-traffic areas.
- Feature: Often self-closing with a spring-loaded mechanism.
