Double-Door Flush Bolts: Check the Bolt Type Before Cutting

On a double door, flush bolts usually secure the less-used, inactive leaf. The active leaf may latch into it, so bolt choice affects the whole door pair.

Identify the mechanism

Manual bolts are moved by hand; automatic bolts respond to the active leaf. Self-latching types work differently. A matching faceplate does not prove interchangeability.

Check the exact installation

• Match the door construction, bolt position, mortise and strikes to the maker's drawing.
• Confirm any required closing coordinator and the order in which the leaves must close.
• Align the frame or floor strike with the bolt centreline. Test both leaves without forcing a binding bolt.

For example, Hager's wood-door instructions allow the 291S at the top or bottom of the inactive leaf, but the 294S only at the top. These are model-specific directions, not a rule for every flush bolt.

For fire-rated or escape-route doors, have a competent specialist check the complete assembly and local requirements before changing hardware.

Main latch binding? See our door-alignment guide.

Sources: Hager I-TA01354, Rev 2, 12 July 2024; iDigHardware, 6 December 2016. Accessed 10 November 2026. Cover: generic illustration.