“Do you have or will your hinges work on a double gate… saloon type? And if so is there a latching mechanism to hold shut?”

If you have ever shopped for door hinges, you have probably run into terms like single swing, double swing, double-acting, or swing door. And if you are looking at a self-closing hinge specifically, you are likely wondering: do they support both directions, or just one?

Before we get to the Waterson answer, let us clear up the basics so you know exactly what you are working with.

door swing types

What Is a Double Swing Type?

A double swing door, also called a double-acting door, is one that can swing freely in both directions from a center resting position. Push it toward you, and it opens. Push it away from you; it opens the other way. The classic example is the saloon door from old Western movies, or the kitchen door in a busy restaurant.

Double swing doors typically rely on floor springs, pivot hinges, or double-acting spring hinges to return the door to the center after each use. Because the door must travel in two directions, the hardware inside needs to accommodate force from both sides.

This type is ideal for:

  • High-traffic passageways where doors need to open in either toward you (inswing) or away from you (outswing), but not both.
  • Restaurant kitchen entries
  • Saloon or cafe-style doors
  • Spaces where hands-free, bidirectional access is required

Saloon_Door_Hinges

What Is a Single Swing Type?

A single swing door opens in only one direction, either toward you (inswing) or away from you (outswing), but not both. It operates within a fixed arc, typically 0 to 90 or 0 to 120 degrees, and returns to its closed position from that one side only.

Single swing doors are by far the most common type in both residential and commercial settings. Think of any standard office door, entrance door, or interior room door: push or pull it in one direction, it closes back on its own (if spring-loaded).

This type is ideal for:

  • Standard interior door and exterior doors for commercial and residential use
  • Fire-rated door openings
  • ADA-compliant entries
  • Pool gates and outdoor enclosures
  • Any space where controlled, one-directional closure is required

cafe door hinges

How to Tell What Swing a Door Is

If you are not sure what swing your door uses, here are a few quick ways to figure it out:

  • Check the hinges: Standard butt hinges on one side of the frame indicate a single swing door. Check which side the hinge is mounted on, as this also tells you the swing direction and whether you have a right-hand or left-hand opening.
  • Test the movement: Open the door and push it past center. If it only travels inward or outward from one side and stops at the frame, it is single swing.
  • Look at the frame: Double swing doors typically lack a traditional door stop (the small strip inside the frame that the door rests against when closed). Single swing doors almost always have one.
  • Check the hinge barrel: Double-acting spring hinges often have a visible, larger barrel that contains the bidirectional spring mechanism. Single swing spring hinges tend to look more like standard hinges with a slimmer barrel.

How to Tell What Swing a Door Is

A Comparison of Double Swing vs. Single Swing

Feature Double Swing Single Swing
Swing Direction Both ways (bidirectional) One way only
Common use case Saloon doors, restaurant kitchens Commercial doors, gates, standard interiors
Hardware type Double-acting spring, floor pivot Standard hinge, spring hinge
ADA compatibility Uncommon Common
Fire rating availability Rare Widely available
Latching mechanism Difficult to latch (requires special hardware) Standard latches work easily
Self-closing feature Possible (returns to center) Yes, via spring hinge
Typical swing arc 180 degrees total (90 each way) 0 to 90 or 0 to 120 degrees

Is Waterson a Double Swing or Single Swing Hinge?

All Waterson spring hinges are single action, not double action. They swing in one direction only, operating within 0 to 120 max degrees for hydraulic soft closing door hinges, and 0 to 180 max degrees for mechanical self closing door hinges.

So if you were hoping to use Waterson hinges on a saloon-style gate that swings freely in both directions, they are not the right fit for that application. Waterson is built for controlled, one-directional closure, which is actually what most commercial and residential applications genuinely need.

self closing fire door hinges

That said, Waterson brings a serious set of features to single swing applications that most hinges simply cannot match.

Here is what Waterson can provide:

  • Soft Close / Self Closing: Eliminates door slamming entirely, protecting both the frame and users in a tight space.
  • 90° Hold Open: Gives users enough time to enter and get settled without the door closing in on them.
  • Stainless Steel 304/316: Resistant to moisture and cleaning chemicals, maintaining consistent performance over time without compliance drift after the first few years.
  • Adjustable Tension: Fine-tunable for force and speed after installation, compatible with both 1-inch solid wood doors and 1-1/4-inch metal pilasters.
  • Concealed Design: No bulky arms or brackets, suitable for spaces with high aesthetic requirements.
  • Custom Finish: Satin, Black, Brass, Bronze, matching any interior scheme.
  • ANSI/BHMA A156.1: Tested to 1,000,000 cycles, built for high-traffic facilities.
  • Easy Install: No overhead installation required, fits like a standard hinge.
  • Warranty: 10 years for mechanical self-closing, 3 years for hydraulic soft-closing.

Waterson is firmly single swing, and by design. Its self-closing spring mechanism, fire rating, ADA compliance, and all-weather construction make it a strong choice for gates, commercial doors, and glass openings. If your project needs reliable, one-directional closure, Waterson delivers it in one clean, compact hinge.

Not sure which Waterson model fits your door? Contact us and tell your door size, weight, and application, and our team will point you to the right hinge in one reply.

 

Frequent Asked Questions about Waterson Door Swing Type


No. Waterson hinges only provide a single-acting function, meaning they can only swing in one direction. For a true saloon-style door that swings both ways, you would need a double-acting spring hinge or a floor pivot system.


Waterson hinges operate within 0 to 120 degrees. Anything beyond this range may cause internal damage and will not be covered under warranty. Pushing the door to 180 degrees will shorten the hinge’s service life and is not covered under warranty.

Learn more about Waterson Door Opening Degrees and how to choose the right range for your application.

Waterson Self Closing & Soft Closing Single Swing Hinges

Waterson self closing door hinges combine the function of an overhead closer and a hinge into a single, sleek component, complete with optional hold-open and door-stop features. Designed for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors, these hinges are easy to install and adjust to meet ADA and ICC A117.1 standards for opening force, while ensuring quiet and secure closure. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are NFPA 80 compliant, UL 3-hour fire-rated, and built to perform reliably in both interior and all-weather exterior environments. See all our features.

In addition to these performance advantages, Waterson offers custom hinge services. As a direct manufacturer, we can tailor hinge sizes, finishes, and especially hinge leaf designs to meet the specific structural needs of your doors. This makes our hinges an ideal solution for door manufacturers seeking custom options that integrate seamlessly with their existing frames.

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Please note that Waterson closer hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.

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