Florida Front Door Opens Out

An inward door had the pins on the inside.

Florida front door opens out.

According to section 604 1 of the florida building code 2007 existing building section if you replace a door or window from a residential dwelling you can only reduce the existing clear opening dimensions by a maximum of 5 percent. There are exceptions but these doors must not only pass a forced entry test but also a water infiltration test. A door gate or bar which is put up on any premises and opens on a street shall be so put up as not to open outwards unless in the case of a door gate or bar put up on a public building the local authority for the area in which the building is situated and also if the street is a highway the highway authority consent to its being otherwise put up. The way the door swings should be considered too.

Doors opening out had exposed hinge pins and anyone wanting to break in just had to knock out the pins to get in. Burglar proof hinges where more. In south florida it is the norm for all exterior doors to swing outward. Double front doors help create a grand appearance.

In swing doors open inward and out swing doors open outward. Since garage doors are an exit we would install the doors to open in the path of least resistance. I think the building codes should be changed to favor outswing doors in all but a few instances. If there is a fire or explosion that occurs an outward swinging door could become a barrier to escaping the house.

Other options include a transom which is a decorative accent placed above the door and more. Doors around the outside of your house swing in or out depending what type of door it is. In florida even the doors of our houses are required to open outward by building codes. Both residential and commercial exterior.

It is also code that these doors swing outward. This is a pretty strong statement that will raise a few neck hairs so if you don t. It to help protect from hurricane force winds blowing the doors in. Inswing exterior doors dominate the residential market but a better case can be made for an entry door that swings out rather than in.

Outswing doors are more secure airtight and durable than inswing style doors.