Installing A Swinging Door

By Robert Robillard on Finish Carpentry

Swinging Door With Butler Style Hinges

I put the final carpentry touches on my new office by installing a swinging door.  the door is a 15-lite clear safety glass door on a “butlers hinge. ”

A butler hinge allows the door to swing in both directions and is sprig loaded to swing open and then closed.  If the door is pushed open, in either direction,  all the way it will lock open until pushed closed.

Why A Swinging door?

Privacy was the main concern.   The idea for adding this door was to cut down on noise from the kitchen and family room when the television is on.

I chose the glass style door because it matched an adjacent door in the dining room, out of view.   I’m partial to using glass doors because of they allow light to pass through rooms.

Ordering A Primed door Saves Time and Money:

I bought a primed 15-lite glass door to save on painting – I hate painting!

This primed door comes with plastic installed over the glass. The factory sprays on the primer and completely covered the plastic. That’s why the glass is white, once the plastic is peeled off the glass will be clear.

Cutting and planing the door to fit the out of square circa 1863 doorway

Swinging Hinge:

A “Butler or Servants hinge” shown below.  This hinge allows the door to swing in both directions, the spring can be adjusted to control the doors swing speed.

The Butler’s hinge secures to the floor with four screws.  the door has to be cut to allow the hinge to mount to the door.


Door in place. There is a polished brass plate to cover the spring at the floor. Once the door is painted the white plastic protecting the glass will be removed revealing clear glass.

Door installed, painted and plastic removed from glass. The plastic made painting simple, although I still used care when cutting the glass edge, you really do not need to.

Removing the plastic was a breeze, I used a utility knife and scored all four sides and peeled it of ~ that easy!

View from kitchen looking into office. Notice the butlers finish plate at the bottom. I think I may paint this black???

Finished product.

~ a concord carpenter

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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