How to Swap the Swing of an Entry Door

Changing the way your front door swings can be challenging, but it’s often manageable for DIY enthusiasts who have basic carpentry skills. In this video and guide, we’ll explain how to swap the swing of an entry door, providing in-depth instructions to cover everything you need to know. This Old House experts Nathan Gilbert and Tom Silva demonstrate the process of changing a door’s swing direction, offering valuable insights for homeowners looking to tackle this project.

Assessing Your Entry Door

Not every door can have its swing swapped. Before beginning the project, you should evaluate your door to make sure you can reverse its swing.

First, check if your door is symmetrical from side to side and inside to outside. If it is, a swing reversal will require minimal modifications.

Also, look at the door material. Fiberglass doors, such as the door in the video, are often easier to work with because they’re lighter and have uniform construction.

While evaluating your door, don’t forget to inspect the door jambs. Check for any signs of damage or warping. Your door jambs must be in good condition for a secure fit and proper operation once you’ve reversed the door’s swing. Consider replacing them if you notice a lot of wear and tear.

Finally, remember that you’ll have to swap your door’s hardware if you reverse its swing. Make note of where the hardware is located, including the hinges, lockset, and weatherstripping. 

Gathering Tools and Materials for Swapping Your Door’s Direction

You’ll have to reach deep into your tool collection to swap your door’s swing direction. Here’s a comprehensive list of the tools you’ll need to get started.

Don’t forget to wear safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves.

Step-by-Step Guide to Swapping a Door’s Swing

With your tools in hand, you’re ready to get started.

Step 1: Removing the Door

After you’ve completed your assessment and determined that you can swap your swing, you’ll need to remove the door. Here’s how:

1. Choose a clear, mild day to work, as your doorway will be open for an extended period.
2. Use a hammer and nail set to remove the hinge pins.
3. Lift the door off its hinges and place it on sawhorses for easier access.

Step 2: Reversing Door Hardware

As we mentioned above, you have to reverse your door’s hardware. We’ve broken down how to change the hinges, lockset, deadbolt, and weatherstripping below.

Hinges

Unscrew and remove the hinge leaves from the door. Then:

1. Fill the old screw holes with wood dowels and glue.
2. Once dry, trim the dowels flush and sand smooth.
3. Flip the hinges upside down and mark new hole locations on the opposite side of the door.
4. Drill pilot holes and screw the hinges into their new positions.

Lockset and Deadbolt

Remove the lockset and deadbolt from the door and reverse the striker plate so that the bevel faces the correct direction for the new swing. Reinstall the lockset and deadbolt. Make sure the keyed side is on the new exterior face of the door.

Weatherstripping

Remove the weatherstripping from the bottom of the door. Reverse its direction and reattach it.

Inspecting and Replacing Trim

As you’re reversing the hardware, you can take the opportunity to inspect the trim and replace it if you notice that it’s loose or damaged. Make sure it is in good shape and fits properly. If you find an issue, you can replace it. 

Step 3: Modifying the Door Frame

Now that you’ve reversed your door hardware, you can make changes to the door frame to accommodate the new swing direction. This includes:

Transferring Hinge Locations

Measure the distance from the top of the door frame to each hinge mortise on the old hinge side, then transfer these measurements to the opposite side of the frame. Use a combination square to mark the depth and width of the new hinge mortises.

Patching Old Mortises

Cut pieces of scrap wood to fit the old hinge, strike plate, and deadbolt mortises.

Apply wood glue to the patches and secure them with brad nails. Sand the patches smooth once the glue has dried. For a seamless look, apply a coat of primer to the patched areas.

If the old mortises are particularly large or uneven, you can use a wood filler along with the wood patches for a smooth, even surface.

Creating New Mortises

Measure and mark where the new mortises will go on the other side of the frame. Use a drill with a Forstner bit to remove the bulk of the wood for the new hinge mortises. Clean up the mortises with a sharp chisel and make sure they’re the correct depth and size for the hinges.

Step 4: Rehanging the Door

It’s time to rehang the door in its new configuration. Follow the steps below:

1. Lift the door and align the hinges with the new mortises in the frame.
2. Insert the hinge pins to secure the door in place.
3. Test the door’s swing to make sure it opens and closes smoothly.

If your door is particularly heavy or the frame is older, you can include additional support, such as longer screws or extra hinges. This helps the door to remain secure and function correctly over time.

Step 5: Adjusting the Strike Plate and Deadbolt

Your door won’t function properly unless you adjust the strike plate and deadbolt so that it catches on the door frame. To make this change:

1. Apply a small amount of graphite to the latch and deadbolt.
2. Close the door to transfer the graphite marks to the frame, indicating where the new hardware should be installed.
3. Use these marks as guides to drill holes and chisel out mortises for the strike plate and deadbolt catch.
4. Install the new hardware and test the door’s operation.

Step 6: Fine-Tuning

There are a few adjustments you can make so that your door swing has a smooth operation. This includes checking its alignment. Close the door and examine the reveal (gap) around all sides. Adjust the hinges if necessary to achieve an even reveal.

If you notice that the door isn’t perfectly aligned, you can slightly loosen the screws on the hinges and adjust the door until it fits perfectly within the frame. Tighten the screws and check the alignment again.

When you’re done, open and close the door several times. Check that the latch and deadbolt engage properly with their respective strike plates.

If you hear any squeaks or creaks while opening and closing the door, apply a light lubricant, such as silicone spray, to the hinges and moving parts. 

Final Inspection and Clean-Up After Changing the Swing of Your Door

After you’ve installed everything and completed any adjustments, perform a final inspection.  Clean up any sawdust or debris around the work area, and store your tools away safely. Check that all screws and hardware are tight and that there are no loose parts. A secure door will keep you safe and perform optimal function.