There are many different materials and styles to choose from when installing new doors, but have you given any thought to which way your exterior swing doors should open? Depending on where your doors are located around your home, your window and door installation professionals will likely make a few different recommendations. Knowing which way your doors will open is essential when planning any door installation or room remodel. Check out these simple guidelines to determine which way your interior and exterior swing doors should open.

How Do You Determine Which Way a Door Should Open?

Think hard about the doors in your home. You can probably think of a great deal of exterior and interior doors, but can you identify any trends in the directions in which they open? It may seem like their orientation is arbitrary, but in reality, there are a few guidelines that homeowners and door installation professionals can follow when designing a room’s layout. Generally, you should think about three things when considering new door placement: safety, practicality, and space. These considerations are in order of decreasing importance, and they can help inform your choices.

Exterior Swing Doors: Location, Location, Location!

Many exterior swing doors are designed to open inward, but garage doors are often an exception to this rule. The reason? Exterior doors are exposed to the elements, and having a door open outward can expose your door’s hinges to the outside — this means that criminals could simply unscrew your door’s hinges and let themselves in! Although they often have the trappings of exterior doors, doors that lead from your garage’s interior to your home are not really outside. These doors typically open outward to provide a clear and easy-to-use exit in case of an emergency.

Interior Doors are All About Layout and Space

With interior doors, orientation can be a bit trickier. Safety is rarely an issue, so practicality and space are the key points to take into account. Interior doors often open into rooms from small spaces like hallways and closets. The main goal when determining the placement of an interior door is to make sure that an open door will not cause small spaces to become even tighter. If you have questions about the placement of your doors, the experts at Architectural Window Supply can help!

Architectural Window Supply Can Help You Find the Perfect New Windows and Doors

If you are ready for professionally installed new windows or doors at a competitive and honest rate, Architectural Window Supply is ready to help! We have been working for over 20 years at giving business owners and homeowners gorgeous windows and incomparable customer service. For more information on our services, give us a call at (410) 266-5254 or visit us online. For more tips and tricks for getting the most out of your windows, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Houzz.