diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/api_trapdoors.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/api_trapdoors.lua
index aaf0c986ac..53d244c2f4 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/api_trapdoors.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/api_trapdoors.lua
@@ -49,14 +49,14 @@ function mcl_doors:register_trapdoor(name, def)
 	longdesc = def._doc_items_longdesc
 	if not longdesc then
 		if def.only_redstone_can_open then
-			longdesc = "Trapdoors are floor covers which can be opened or closed. This trapdoor can only be opened or closed by redstone power."
+			longdesc = "Trapdoors are horizontal barriers which can be opened or closed. They occupy the upper or lower part of a block, depending on how they have been placed. This trapdoor can only be opened or closed by redstone power."
 		else
-			longdesc = "Trapdoors are floor covers which can be opened or closed. This trapdoor can only be opened by hand and by redstone power."
+			longdesc = "Trapdoors are horizontal barriers which can be opened or closed. They occupy the upper or lower part of a block, depending on how they have been placed. This trapdoor can be opened or closed by hand or redstone power."
 		end
 	end
 	usagehelp = def._doc_items_usagehelp
 	if not usagehelp and not def.only_redstone_can_open then
-		usagehelp = "To open or close this door, rightclick it or send a redstone signal to it."
+		usagehelp = "To open or close this trapdoor, rightclick it or send a redstone signal to it."
 	end
 
 	minetest.register_node(name, {
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/register.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/register.lua
index b85832edb6..3a0f315d6b 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/register.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_doors/register.lua
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 
 mcl_doors:register_trapdoor("mcl_doors:trapdoor", {
 	description = "Wooden Trapdoor",
-	_doc_items_longdesc = "Wooden trapdoors are floor covers which can be opened and closed by hand or a redstone signal.",
+	_doc_items_longdesc = "Wooden trapdoors are horizontal barriers which can be opened and closed by hand or a redstone signal. They occupy the upper or lower part of a block, depending on how they have been placed.",
 	_doc_items_usagehelp = "To open or close the trapdoor, rightclick it or send a redstone signal to it.",
 	tiles = {"door_trapdoor.png"},
 	wield_image = "door_trapdoor.png",
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 
 mcl_doors:register_trapdoor("mcl_doors:iron_trapdoor", {
 	description = "Iron Trapdoor",
-	_doc_items_longdesc = "Iron trapdoors are floor covers which can only be opened and closed by redstone signals, but not by hand.",
+	_doc_items_longdesc = "Iron trapdoors are horizontal barriers which can only be opened and closed by redstone signals, but not by hand. They occupy the upper or lower part of a block, depending on how they have been placed.",
 	tiles = {"iron_trapdoor.png"},
 	wield_image = "iron_trapdoor.png",
 	groups = {pickaxey=1, mesecon_effector_on=1},