Outswing doors are more protective of the home's interior in heavy climates. Wind and water have more trouble infiltrating them due to the threshold design, plus basic physics. Inswing doors, on the flip side, are more susceptible to wind and water because of their design.
While most exterior doors do, in fact, swing inward, some of them swing outward. Outward-swinging exterior doors are more resistant to severe weather than inward-swinging doors. When installing outward-swinging exterior doors, homeowners and building managers may want to use security hinges.
The Need For Added Security
The door for the job would be an outswing door. The doorstop on such doors will prevent the door from being kicked in, thereby assisting the door's lock to keep the door shut. It is much harder to forcibly pull these doors open.
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.
Although their hinges are on the outside, outswing doors may be your better option for security. Because they don't swing inward, they're pretty difficult to kick in. It's also possible to get security hinges that robbers can't take advantage of to get into your home.
Outswing doors are more protective of the home's interior in heavy climates. Wind and water have more trouble infiltrating them due to the threshold design, plus basic physics. Inswing doors, on the flip side, are more susceptible to wind and water because of their design.
Outswing doors work much like casement windows. As wind blows against them, the seal actually tightens. This makes outswing doors less susceptible to air and water leaks. Inswing doors have the opposite problem.
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.
Inward-opening doors are the safest option. In the case of fire, it's easier for rescuers to smash their way through a door that opens inwards. Having the door open into the room will also prevent the possibility of opening the door into the face of an unsuspecting caller on the other side.
You need to be aware that inswing doors are taller than outswing door due to the door swinging OVER the threshold rather than swinging lower and INTO the threshold.
Ultimately it's all a matter of preference. If you want to maximise internal floor space, get French doors that open outward. If you want French doors with better weatherproofing that maximise patio or garden space, chose to fit it so your french doors open inwards.
Concealed insect screens for hinged outswing doors are field-applied to the interior of the door. They are available in White, Almond, Desert Sand, Bronze, and Black.
If more than 25% of the windows and/or doors in a pre-Florida Building Code home are being replaced and the windows/doors are NOT impact glass, the windows/doors are required to have opening protection (such as shutters).
The minimum clear height of door openings shall be not less than 80 inches (2032 mm). Exceptions: In Group R-2 and R-3 dwelling and sleeping units that are not required to be an Accessible unit, the minimum and maximum width shall not apply to door openings that are not part of the required means of egress.
Outward-Opening Doors Offer Advantages
There are several distinct advantages of outward-opening doors homeowners may want to consider when installing a new door. While some homeowners may discard the concept out-of-hand, others are embracing the concept as a way to enhance their home's appeal. Security is enhanced.
Do I need a permit to replace a garage door, exterior door or windows? Yes. A permit is required to verify that the manufacturer's installation procedures are followed and are in compliance with the Florida Building Code. Interior door replacement does not require a permit.
An out-swing door will keep your home protected from strong winds and flying debris that we see during a hurricane. The only thing stopping an in-swing door from being blown into your home is that little latch on the door that sits inside of the strike plate which is screwed into the jamb (door frame).
Designing doors in such a way is the norm of removing shoes in a landing immediately inside the door. If a door opened inward it would shuffle all the shoes around.
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.
Outswing patio doors maximize your indoor living space while inswing doors maintain usable space on the outside of the door. On the other hand, if you have a small patio but have adequate room in the home's interior, an inswing patio door would be ideal.
Fireregulations. In case of panic to exit a building, doors opening towards the mass of people trying to get out would not be able to be opened. In Finland the front doors must open outwards because of safety: in case of fire or other emergency the door must open so that it's easy to exit the building.
The most common way to install French doors is so that they open outwards, but it is possible to have them open inwards instead if you are short of space in your garden. This can actually make for a more secure option too, as the hinges will be hidden inside your home.
Pros: Outswing french doors vs inswing is a better choice for increasing the indoor space. The outside hinges provide the room with a cleaner appearance without having to match the interior decor's design and colour.