No. A left-hand reverse (LHR) door and a right-hand (RH) door are different configurations. In the cited commercial convention, viewed from the specified outside, an LHR door has hinges on the left and swings toward you; an RH door has hinges on the right and swings away from you. “Reverse” describes the swing, not the opposite hinge side.
How to determine a door’s handing
- Choose the reference side. Check the door schedule or manufacturer’s instructions for the side to use. Guidance may call it the outside, push side, security side, or key side. Allegion and Steelcraft begin from the outside or security/key side, while Door Depot describes its commercial convention from the push side. Allegion, Steelcraft, Door Depot.
- Look at the hinges from that side. In the cited commercial chart, hinges on the left indicate left hand; hinges on the right indicate right hand. Steelcraft, Pioneer.
- Check the swing. A door that swings away from the viewer is regular hand (LH or RH); one that swings toward the viewer is reverse (LHR or RHR). Allegion, Steelcraft, Pioneer.
Door-hand designations at a glance
| Designation | Hinge side from cited outside view | Swing relative to viewer |
|---|---|---|
| LH | Left | Away (regular) |
| LHR | Left | Toward (reverse) |
| RH | Right | Away (regular) |
| RHR | Right | Toward (reverse) |
These pairings appear in Steelcraft’s handing diagrams and Pioneer’s door and frame chart. Steelcraft, Pioneer.
Why LHR is not the same as RH
The letters describe two separate characteristics: the hinge side (left or right) and whether the door swings in the reverse direction toward the reference viewer. Thus LHR means left hinges and a toward-you swing in the cited convention. RH means right hinges and an away-from-you swing. “Reverse” does not simply change left to right.
Check hardware handing separately
A door’s designation does not necessarily match the hand of its hardware. Allegion Knowledge Center states that an LHR door uses a RH door closer, while an RHR door uses a LH door closer. Allegion Knowledge Center.
The Tool Desk
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- Designed for Use with 1-3/4" (44.5 mm) Narrow, Medium, and Wide Stile Aluminum, Wood or Hollow Metal Doors Concealed Fastening for Added Security
- Concealed Fastening for Added Security
- LHR Handed, Non-Reversible
For a closer, lock, or other hardware, confirm the hardware manufacturer’s own handing instructions rather than ordering from the door label alone.
For pairs of doors, identify the active leaf
When a doorway has two leaves, establish which leaf is active and use the door or frame supplier’s pair diagram. Steelcraft’s manual distinguishes active and inactive leaves for regular-hand and reverse-hand pairs. Steelcraft.
Rank #2
- You will receive: 1 set double cylinder mortise lock, this left hand reverse mortise lock features a manual deadbolt for smooth, intuitive operation, designed for reliable access control with effortless locking and unlocking
- Standardized Dimensions: Suitable for entrance doors with a thickness range of 1-3/8 inches to 1-3/4 inches, with a rear size of 2-1/2 inches from the keyhole to the end of the door, and a panel size of 1 x 7-1/8 inches, the mortise lock set can be installed on most standard doors to save space
- Security Design: The double cylinder mechanism provides protection against forced entry, includes an additional night latch for reinforced security, offering peace of mind in residential or commercial settings
- Heavy Duty Steel Construction: Crafted from heavy gauge steel, this mortise lock set delivers exceptional durability and strength, built to withstand daily use while maintaining smooth operation over time
- Modern Style: The double cylinder mortise lock features an elegant polished brass finish that adds a contemporary touch to any door, combines sophisticated style with robust security performance
Confirm the convention before ordering
Handing methods are not universal across every product. The commercial comparison above follows the cited door and frame guidance; Kuriki’s consumer guide, for example, uses the hinge-visible side and says its method does not require swing direction. Kuriki. For a specific opening, use the reference side and method stated on the schedule or by the door, frame, and hardware manufacturers.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Iron Gate Lock
- Left Hand Reverse (For Outswinging Doors)
- 2-1/2" Backset (distance between key hole till end of door)
- Face Plate: 1" x 7-1/8"
- Polished Brass Finish
Rank #4
- Designed for Use with 1-3/4" (44 mm) Narrow, Medium, and Wide Stile Aluminum, Wood, or Hollow Metal Doors
- Concealed Fastening for Added Security
- Supplied with 4 foot crossbar - cut in field to fit
Rank #3
- 42" (1.07 m) crossbar can be cut-to-size
- Available as concealed vertical rod and rim exit devices
- For use with narrow, medium, and wide stile aluminum doors or hollow metal doors
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