How to Decide Between Inswing and Outswing Doors

One of the first big choices you’ll make when purchasing any new door for your home will revolve around which way the door swings. Both inswing and outswing doors are options you’ll have available, and depending on the area of the home and the contents of a given room or exterior space, you might choose one or the other.

At Price’s Guaranteed Doors, we’re your one-stop shop for all things entry doors, garage doors, Pella windows and more around Salt Lake City, St. George and nearby parts of Utah. We offer a huge range of entry door installation and general exterior door installation services, plus professionals who will help you with every part of this process – including selection of the ideal products for your needs. Here are some basics on your options for inswing and outswing doors, plus the key factors to be evaluating as you choose the ideal format for any new door.

The Four Typical Door Configurations

Door swing will be one of a few major choices that will be listed on any order form for a new door you’re purchasing. Generally, there will be four options for inswing and outswing doors that vary based on left or right handedness:

• Left hand inswing: The hinges will be set on the left side of the door, with the door swinging inward and to your right.
• Right hand inswing: Similar to above, only flipped.
• Left hand outswing: Hinges are still on the left, but this time they’re on the outside of the home and swing outward from you.
• Right hand outswing: As expected, same as above but with a flip in direction.

These four terms are pretty self-explanatory for anyone who’s ever seen a door or used one before. You’ll also have options other than these in certain cases – some specialty doors may be able to switch their inswing-outswing configuration depending on your needs.

Our next several sections will go over some of the qualities clients are typically looking for in a door, plus whether inswing or outswing options might be best for each of these areas.

Protection

Naturally, one of the top priorities for any door in the home is protection. This includes both from a security standpoint, where you want to keep potential intruders out, and from things like weather and pests that can cause damage or inconvenience.

In this area, both inswing and outswing doors have key benefits. In heavy climates, outswing doors are often considered ideal due to their ability to protect the door seal and keep moisture out. On the other hand, inswing doors may offer better security since the hinges are located inside the home where they can’t be tampered with from outside.

Space Considerations

Another major factor that will influence your decision-making between inswing and outswing doors is available space. Outswing doors are great for small spaces because they won’t require any interior clearance, allowing you to use close walls or install furniture right up against them.

However, if your door opens onto a patio or porch area, an inswing door might be a better option in order to avoid creating an obstruction on the exterior of your home.

Accessibility

If you have any individuals in your home with mobility issues, accessibility will be a key factor to consider when choosing between inswing and outswing doors. Outswing doors can be easier for those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids to navigate through, as there is no lip or threshold they need to navigate over.

On the other hand, inswing doors may offer better accessibility for those with limited reach or strength, as they do not require pushing against the door to enter or exit.

Door Codes

In certain particular areas or settings, there may be code-related reasons to choose one door or the other. Some examples:

• Snow-prone areas: In any climate where large snow storms can take place, all entry and patio doors must swing inward so they won’t become trapped in a home if lots of snow builds up. There are several areas of Utah where this may become a need, but this tends to depend on average snowfall in your area. Contact our team for more information on this.
• Public doors: Doors in commercial buildings always swing outward, per the International Building Code. This is to maintain safety and order during an evacuation – an inswing door could cause panicking people to press up against it and be trapped inside. In fact, evacuation plans in such buildings will often include a specific piece for how the door is held open, as this is a vital area of any such plan.
• Hurricane-prone areas: Inswing doors can be pushed open more easily than outswing doors, so the latter are recommended for these areas. Whether they are required will depend on the specific municipality.

As you can see, there are several factors to consider when choosing between inswing and outswing doors. It’s important to carefully evaluate your needs and the potential benefits of each option in order to make the best decision for your home. Our team at Price’s Guaranteed Doors is always available to assist you in this process and provide expert advice on all product options, whether you’re in SLC, St. George or any nearby area. Contact us today to learn more!