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hemingway
Aug 28, 2009, 04:50 PM
I just had new front doors installed. Instead of putting the knob of the storm door and the knob of the steel outer door on the same side, the installer persuaded me to put the knob of the full-view storm door on the left, and the knob of the steel door on the right. Actually, it's very difficult to move furniture in/out of the front door, (the hall closet is 3 feet directly ahead) and he showed me how this would provide more room. Is having the knobs on opposite sides acceptable? I haven't found another house with opposing doors in my area.

ballengerb1
Aug 28, 2009, 04:58 PM
Installer is a goof. Hings are same side and knobs are same side.

hkstroud
Aug 28, 2009, 07:38 PM
I agree with Bob. Hinging doors on the opposite sides makes it difficult to just get in and out . You have to hold the storm door all the way back to get to the door knob or handle when entering. You have to open the door all most all the way back to get to the storm door latch when exiting.

21boat
Aug 28, 2009, 09:58 PM
I third that!!

Nash Nolan
Sep 3, 2009, 11:44 PM
The top and bottom levers are called Flush Bolts, the two major suppliers in the USA are Baldwin and Ives.You could try contacting either of these companies and obtaining the two plates and four screws which are interchangeable. If you have a local hardware company or a door manufacturer they may stock flush bolts and have spare parts.
You can live without these parts as the stationary door is unlikely to be opened enough to wear out the holes but fitted they make the job look more professional.


dining set (http://www.diningsetdirect.com)

cyberheater
Sep 14, 2009, 10:35 AM
Okay, I can give you an idea of why he did that. One, may be that the door knobs/levers my cause some problems by hitting each other, or the dead bolt. (lever type hitting door knob) Usually the level/knob on storm type is up higher, but I had a problem with this in another situation, so it's not always true. The other may be the way you need to open your door from the exterior. I have had to actually do this, and I do have a basement door directly across from the entrance door.

The BEST situation is to have both doors on open on one side, if you CAN. But that is not always possible or desirable. If you walk up to your entrance door - do you open the storm door from when coming in from a preferred side? Anyway, if you can ensure that when you have the knobs on one side, they will not hit each other, or cause a problem in any other way, by all means - have them switched, but check first. There is usually a reason when someone does this. If there is not a reason, then go for it.