Active and passive panels shape how a double door feels every day, from traffic flow to security and comfort.
Does your double door feel awkward, with one side sticking or barely getting used? When both sides are aligned and the unused side is held steady, the door closes cleanly and feels secure without constant fiddling. This guide explains operation choices, security hardware, sizing, and material decisions that make the entry look sharp and work smoothly.
Active and Passive Panels in Daily Use
The basic roles
A double entry setup uses two door panels to create a wider opening, and most homes rely on a single-active layout where one panel does the daily work while the other stays passive until released. In a 60 in wide opening, that usually means two 30 in panels, and the active side often sits closest to the garage path so daily flow feels natural.
French door pairs typically put the main handle and latch on the active panel, while the passive panel is held by flush bolts until you need the full opening. In daily use, that means you can carry groceries through one side without unbolting the other, and when you do open both, the passive bolts should slide smoothly without scraping the frame.
Single-active vs dual-active decisions
Exterior double doors often use an active-inactive system for routine entry, while fully active setups let both panels operate freely for big openings. The active-inactive approach is simpler to lock and live with, but a fully active pair shines when you need full width for bulky furniture or a rolling cart.
Security and Hardware Coordination
Lock the passive panel with intent
The inactive panel stays closed until you release its hardware or bolts, and that detail is what keeps the active panel’s lock from doing all the work alone. On installs, I set the top and bottom bolts and tug the passive panel to confirm it stays tight against the frame before I ever adjust the active latch.
Lock choice matters because a mortise multi-point system secures a door at three points and offers higher security and weather resistance than a basic cross-bore setup, even though cross-bore hardware is cheaper and more common. In windy entries, I see fewer rattles and more consistent closing pressure when those multi-point hooks are engaged.
Fit, Handing, and Clearances
Size and rough opening
Standard double doors are typically 48-72 in wide and 80 in tall, so a 60 in unit splits naturally into two 30 in panels and keeps the proportions balanced. That size also gives a confident entry without overpowering a standard facade.
A prehung unit needs a rough opening about 1/2 in larger so you can shim and square the frame, which means that 60 in door wants roughly 60.5 in of framed width. That small cushion is where I make the final tweaks so both panels swing without rubbing at the head or the meeting edge.
Handing from the exterior
Handing should be judged from outside, with the operating panel location defining left-hand or right-hand. Before ordering, stand on the exterior side, imagine the daily path, and confirm the active panel falls on the side that keeps the traffic line open.
Materials, Glass, and Energy Performance
Choose materials for exposure and traffic
Exterior double doors come in wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, and glass options, each with a different balance of maintenance, durability, and insulation potential. For a modern entry that wants light and openness, glass-forward designs can work beautifully when paired with solid framing and smart locks.
Materials shape the feel: wood brings warmth and sound insulation, while fiberglass resists moisture and movement. I pick fiberglass for a steamy mudroom and wood for a quieter interior hall. That match of material to location keeps the door line true and the finish looking intentional.
Glass and privacy balance
Glass choices range from clear to privacy and Low-E, and Low-E glazing reduces heat transfer, which helps a bright entry feel comfortable year-round. For a street-facing foyer, I often choose textured or frosted glass to keep daylight while softening the view inside.
Installation Reality: Set the Frame, Then the Doors
Square, level, and align
Proper installs start with measure, prep the opening, and level the panel, and double doors make that discipline even more important because both panels must share the same plane. I check the reveal around each panel and adjust the hinge-side shims until the meeting line stays even from top to bottom.
Moisture control is non-negotiable; sill pans and rain deflectors keep water out of the subfloor and the meeting stile dry. On west-facing entries, I add a rain guard and confirm the sweep seals at the threshold so the door stays tight through storm season.
A well-chosen active and passive arrangement makes a double door feel effortless without giving up security or efficiency. Match the operation to your daily traffic, lock the passive side with intent, and size the opening correctly, and the result is a confident entry that elevates curb appeal.
