Which way should French doors open?

Author: Miss Cassidy McClure  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

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.

How do you determine which way a sliding door opens?

All gliding patio doors are handed based on the location of the operating or sliding patio door panel when viewing from the outside of your home. If the operating patio door panel is on the left side, your patio door is a left-handed unit.

Which is better, inswing or outswing French doors?

Outswing doors are more secure, airtight and durable than inswing style doors. Common isn't the same thing as ideal in all situations.

Which way should doors open, left or right?

It really is best for you to decide whether you want the door to open to the left or right, bearing in mind if there are any obstructions and which feels most natural to you. There is no right or wrong way.

Should external doors open inwards or outwards?

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.

Features & Benefits of Outswing Door Units

Should French patio doors swing in or out?

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.

Does it matter which way an exterior door opens?

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. With that said, the leafs are connected to each other with a pin.

What is the rule for door opening direction?

There's no rule that spells out which way the doors should swing in your home—that's ultimately up to the homeowners. There is a general consensus, however. Inside most homes, the doors swing inward into a room. There are a few key reasons why most people choose to have interior doors swing inward.

Which way should kitchen doors open?

Therefore, you want the doors to open in a way that won't restrict your movement. The best way to do this is by having them open outwards in opposite directions. In other words, the left side door's hinges are on the left and the right side door's hinges are on the right.

Which door opens first on double doors?

For double doors, the same opening directions apply, in that the door that opens first determines the opening direction, e.g. Right hand out = right door seen from outside opens first.

Can you have French doors that open outward?

A common conundrum for customers when considering French doors for their property is whether to have them open inwards or outwards and the impact their decision might have on the current design of their home. It is possible for us to design, manufacture and install French doors to open in or out, but not both.

Why are outswing French doors more expensive?

The price of inswing vs outswing French doors doesn't differ much. You might pay a little extra for your outswing vs inswing French doors. Remember about additional costs for any sort of customization, such as height, sidelites, transom, glass design, door color, miniblinds, hardware, multipoint lock etc.

Are outswing French doors safe?

Outswing doors have their hinges positioned on the outside, which may present a security risk. The hinge pins on these doors can potentially be removed by intruders, making the door more vulnerable to unauthorized entry.

What side should the sliding door open on?

The handedness of a sliding door is expressed from the exterior of the structure. A left-hand door opens on the left, while a right-hand door opens on the right. Sometimes, these relationships are denoted by the letters O and X, where O represents the fixed panel and X represents the sliding panel.

Can sliding doors open either way?

The answer is yes. Sliding glass doors can be designed to open on both sides of the opening.

Which direction should kitchen door face?

Entrance : Appropriate kitchen Vastu tips suggest that the entrance is in the west or north direction. This is considered as the most auspicious direction for the kitchen entrance.

What is the correct way for a door to open?

Safety. 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.

What kitchen door opens both ways?

Impact doors are specialized doors designed to open in both directions and often called double swing doors. These restaurant kitchen double swing doors are commonly used to separate spaces in which people do not want to use a handle or other means to get from one room to the next.

Which way should interior French doors open?

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.

What is the ideal door opening direction?

It is recommended that the main door always opens in a clockwise direction. Additionally, the entrance should face north, northeast, east, or west to promote prosperity and positivity. Doors opening in an anticlockwise direction are considered a Vastu defect and should be corrected.

Why do doors open outwards in Florida?

While there are areas of the country that may vary, there is no universal building code that forbids the use of residential exterior doors that open outward. Because of hurricane-force winds, Florida communities are now seeing the concept of outward opening doors as an advantage.

Should exterior doors be inswing or outswing?

Outswing doors are also more resistant to rain and winds and are especially helpful in hurricane regions. Outswing doors are much more challenging for the wind to blow open than inswing doors. However, if snow piles up outside your home, you may have a lot of trouble getting your door open.

Which side should my front door open?

Inward-opening front doors keep your home secure. The door's hinges are inside the home, rather than on the outside where they could be tampered with by would-be intruders.

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