Most people don't, but they do have the option, and there are plenty of reasons to choose one over another. There are definite advantages to both inswing and outswing entrance doors, but, which swing direction is right for you, and what building codes, if any will apply to your specific desires.
Most exterior doors swing inward for security purposes. As previously mentioned, most doors will swing in the direction of the knuckle. Hinges consist of two leafs that join together to form a knuckle.
Landing requirements for egress exterior doors
step down to the exterior, provided the door does not swing to the outside over this dropped landing. There is no requirement for which direction an exterior door on a house must swing, but the direction will affect the allowable landing heights.
Outswing doors are notably difficult to force open from outside, making them great for security areas. On the flip side, though, hinges are on the outside, meaning if security is a concern, you have to choose a style without removable pins.
When a mob of people rushes an exit, it's very hard for somebody to open the door inward -- everyone pushes up against the door, and there is no room for it to open. For this reason, an effective emergency exit needs to open outward, moving with the force of the mob.
Safety Reasons
Many believe that doors which open outwards are safer as it allows for easier escape access.
Should exterior doors open in or out? Exterior doors tend to open inwards for security reasons. For the door to open outwards, the hinge mechanism would be located on the outside of the home. However, any hinges located outside pose a big risk to your home's security.
A: Interesting. Currently, there is no IRC Rule (not codified) regarding in-swing or out-swing doors on interior residential dwellings. However, it may be a good idea to consider the following: Most individuals are accustomed to opening doors inward.
Outswing Entry Doors
Because they open outwards, they're considerably more difficult to kick in, but you may want to install more secure hinges as they will be exposed. They're also better able to resist wind than doors that swing inward.
Outswing doors are more secure, airtight and durable than inswing style doors. I think the building codes should be changed to favor outswing doors in all but a few instances. This is a pretty strong statement that will raise a few neck hairs so if you don't like this assessment let me know why.
Florida has one of the most stringent building codes in the United States, as all exterior doors must open outward if you live in South Florida. Outward opening doors provide you with an added layer of protection, as an inward swinging door only has a latch and a deadbolt to prevent it from blowing into your home.
Most people don't, but they do have the option, and there are plenty of reasons to choose one over another. There are definite advantages to both inswing and outswing entrance doors, but, which swing direction is right for you, and what building codes, if any will apply to your specific desires.
The front door usually opens outward, which is opposite of in Western houses. This is because Japanese people do not wear shoes in the house, they take off and line up their shoes at the entrance. If the door opens inward, the shoes will be in the way and could cause you to be not able to open the door.
The rule of thumb is to install interior doors to open into the room. This approach prevents doors from becoming an obstruction in tight areas like hallways. Doors attached to tight spaces will often swing out to keep someone from getting trapped inside.
The reason your front door swings inward is very purposeful. Even simple door designs have hinges and hinge pins to allow the door to open and shut. These hinges are a bit of a security weak point, and are placed inside the home to make it harder for would-be intruders to gain access to your home.
If you already have a cramped home you may choose a outswing door. These doors may offer wider views and better breezes because they can open wider to the outside than the inside. The final advantage is that an outswing door does protect better from the elements and may be even more energy efficient.
DoorJammer is the award-winning and police-accredited portable door security device that prevents unwanted entry, fast. Its patented steel design works on almost any in-swinging door, even without a lock or handle and installs simply by turning the screw.
Safe And Secure. Inward opening doors are generally regarded as safer because the hinges are on the inside, so no one can tamper with them.
Unless the closet is fairly large, it is best to have the door swing out into the room rather than into the closet. A door that opens into a small walk-in may block access to items, requiring you to close yourself into the closet to get to your clothing on the wall behind the door.
Door leaves are required to swing in the direction of egress travel only if any one of the following three conditions exist: The door serves a room or area with an occupant load of 50 or more, The door assembly is used in an exit enclosure, The door opening services a high-hazard contents area.
The International Building Code states school doors (and most public doors) should open out. Anyone can quickly exit a room by pushing through the doors. Outward-opening doors provide easy exit access without the trouble of knobs or locks. In the case of locks, classroom doors must have outside locks.
Steel doors are among the best front doors for security. It's nearly impossible to break through; even if beaten or abused, these doors are more likely to dent than come down. Having covered the advantages of steel doors, the best steel door is the Jeld-Wen's Camber Top Mission Primed Steel Door.
A steel door is your best bet if security and durability are top priorities. Steel units are stronger than wood or fiberglass doors, and they won't crack or warp.