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If you want to let in plenty of sunlight while keeping your home well insulated, your best bet is a patio-style door with two doors with full-view windows, including one primary door and one secondary door behind it, such as a screen door or storm door. This two-door system will let in plenty of natural light while maximizing insulation.

Look at the door from the outside, or the key side. If the hinges are on the left side of the door, it’s a left-hand swing. If the hinges are on the right side of the door, it’s a right-hand swing. You can also think of it as which hand you would most likely use to open the door from the outside when considering whether it’s a right-hand vs. left-hand door.

You can use any wood to make an interior door, provided it’s the right thickness. Common options for painted doors include pine or poplar for the stiles, rails, and mullions, and paint-grade plywood for the panels. You can also opt to make your own panels out of pine or poplar if you intend on staining the door instead. Opting for oak, maple, or another hardwood is another great option for a high-end door that will last for decades, but the wood will cost significantly more.

The vast majority of hinges are symmetrical, and either side of the hinge can go on the door or the frame. Occasionally, you'll find a hinge specifically made for right or left-handed doors with different attachment hardware or larger plates on one side. In most cases, the large side of the hinge goes on the frame.

It is possible to install hinges backward, so be careful when placing them. Position the hinge so that the hinge pin faces the direction the door will swing. For example, if you're standing on the side the door will open into, the pin should be visible. Be extra careful when installing exterior doors, as placing the hinges on the outside for an outward-facing door makes your home much easier to break into.