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To choose the best door, start by pinpointing its most important job in your home, then choose the material and style based on that function. Simply put, there’s a world of difference between what an interior bedroom door and driveway-facing entryway door do for your home. Thinking about your door's purpose first, then its look and style, will help you make the right choice and stay on budget.

French doors can either open inward or outward, but because hinges are the mechanism for opening and closing, a single set of French doors will not be able to do both. Most French doors only open outward onto a patio, deck, or porch, while some only open inward if the outdoor space is limited and can’t accommodate the open doors.

Yes, barn doors can be too heavy, although the limitation is usually imposed by the mounting hardware you buy and not your home’s framing, unless you’re building an unusually wide door. To keep the weight down, you can opt for 1-by material rather than 2-by material, and choose a softwood like pine rather than a hardwood like maple or oak. Check the weight limits on your mounting hardware, and always attach your door track to studs rather than to drywall anchors.

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.