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Double Front Doors Explained: Active Leaf, Passive Leaf and Astragal
One leaf (the active leaf) carries the lock and opens daily; the other (the passive leaf) is held shut by flush bolts at the top and bottom. An astragal covers the gap where they meet, which is what keeps wind and rain out.
St. Pete Custom Doors builds and installs hand-carved and custom wood doors in St. Petersburg, FL. Short answer: One leaf (the active leaf) carries the lock and opens daily; the other (the passive leaf) is held shut by flush bolts at the top and bottom. An astragal covers the gap where they meet, which is what keeps wind and rain out.
The Parts That Matter
- Active leaf: lockset or multipoint lock
- Passive leaf: flush bolts top and bottom
- Astragal: the strip covering the meeting edges
- Sill and sweeps: the seal at the floor
Built and Hung as a Pair
Carving and panels run across both leaves only if they are built together and hung together, so the leaves meet evenly. See custom double front doors.
FAQ
More on Double Doors
Can both doors open?
Yes; release the flush bolts on the passive leaf and both swing.
Are double doors less secure?
Not with flush bolts into the head and sill and a multipoint lock on the active leaf.
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