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Originally Posted On: ​What are Saloon Doors Called? – Swinging Cafe Doors

Saloon doors go by a variety of names. Saloon doors are most often called café doors, double swinging doors, batwing doors, bar doors, and double action doors. Although there are many different names for these doors, they are all the same style door- saloon doors. These doors all come with a double action hinge and are traditional half doors. The double action hardware allows for the doors to swing in both directions (unlike single action hinges). The doors will swing back and forth in the opening with the double action hardware and stop in the closed position. The doors will swing fully through the opening and continue to swing smaller and smaller until the doors stop. These doors are typically called “saloon doors”, because they were located in saloons. The doors still make a great entrance for a bar, but will look just as nice in many other places in your home. Once you decide that a saloon style door is a perfect option for your home there are few more things to consider.

Saloon Door Design

Saloon doors are available as a single door and a double door. You can pick the saloon style door that works best in your opening. Most people prefer double doors since they take up less space than a traditional single swing door. These saloon doors are available not only in a western style design, but also in a traditional, modern, porthole, chevron, glass, colonial, louvered, craftsman, farmhouse, and barn style designs; that’s over 80 designs. The doors can be customized to your design and door opening size. The saloon style doors are a great option for your door openings.

Saloon Door Material

Once you have decided on the style of your saloon doors, the next step is material. Wood is the most common material for interior saloon doors. Whether you pick a simple poplar paint grade wood or select a rustic alder wood, the doors add a perfect accent to the door opening. The solid wood door 1”- 1-3/8” thick door will provide the strength necessary for the door to swing and not break. This thickness will also provide the strength necessary for the hardware.

Saloon Door Size

If you are installing these saloon doors in a traditional opening, you can choose to remove the door stop or leave it on. Saloon doors can also be installed in a non-traditional opening with the use of trim boards. When you measure for the saloon doors measure at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening. Take the smallest measure and that will be  the size of saloon door you need. Saloon doors can be custom made for your exact door opening allowing for a perfect fit.  When considering saloon doors, you can also select the desired height for the barrier the doors will provide.

Saloon Door Hardware Options

Saloon door hardware have two common options- 1. Gravity hinges & 2. Spring Hinges. The gravity hinges mount to the top and bottoms of the doors. Keep in mind that you will need space for the hinges. These hinges typically have a hold open feature in either direction. Spring hinges will mount to the sides of the doors and the door jamb and they do not have a hold open feature.

Double swinging doors, saloon doors or café doors are a great option for a doorway. These doors work perfectly in a cased opening or a non-traditional door opening and can be installed into almost any door opening. Doors will swing in both directions and the hardware will allow the return of the doors to center automatically. The doors are easy to install and do not require a jamb for installation. Saloon style doors are the perfect option for a home office, bar, man cave, pantry, primary bathroom, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, and a closet.