doortest

Doortest is a term used in carpentry, door manufacturing, and facilities management to describe a set of tests that evaluate the functional performance of a door and its hardware. The practice focuses on how well a door opens, closes, latches, and seals, and on the durability of hinges and closers under normal use. Doortests may be performed during installation, as part of quality assurance in manufacturing, or in ongoing building maintenance.

A typical doortest assesses several aspects: door alignment and clearance, hinge operation, and the smoothness of motion; latch and strike plate engagement; the effectiveness of the door closer and any closing force; and the seal provided by weatherstripping or door sweeps. Observers may measure gaps at around the edges, verify that the door fully closes without binding, and simulate cycles to check hardware wear. Results are usually recorded as pass/fail or with a numeric score, and any deviations are corrected before final handover.

Doortests may be conducted manually by trained personnel or with automated test rigs that monitor force, travel, and contact points. They exist alongside broader building performance tests and references in building codes and door standards, which specify acceptable tolerances for clearance, force, and sealing performance.

Applications include new construction, renovation projects, and manufacturers’ QA workflows. The goal is to ensure reliable operation, occupant safety, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance later in a door’s life.