Should Patio Doors Open In Or Out?

Should Patio Doors Open In or Out?

When shopping for patio doors there are other factors to consider other than fit, design, type of patio doors, or price. You’ll also need to think about the way your door encroaches on its surroundings as it opens and closes.

We’ve all been in a situation where a badly thought out door opening has left us having to squeeze between the door and a wall! This scenario is not just reserved for internal doors - unless you’re opting for an external sliding door that runs along a single plain, you’ll need to consider the direction in which your door will open.

Do Exterior Patio Doors Have to Open Inwards?

The majority of external doors - especially front doors will open inwards. But why is this? Inward opening doors can be justified by the following three main factors:

Security

Exterior doors are primarily used to secure a property against would-be intruders. Historically, outward-opening doors would have their hinges on the outside leaving criminals with the opportunity to sabotage the hinges and remove the entire door. Today, outward-opening doors have their hinges protected – but they’re still more vulnerable than their inward-opening counterparts.

All of our French patio doors and bifold patio doors are offered with a multipoint locking system as standard. Our external bi fold doors are also supplied with Secured By Design approved ironmongery - an unbeatable offer on any exterior folding door.

Weather

Outward opening external doors are inevitably more exposed to mother nature. A strong wind might slam a set of French patio doors shut so hard that it may cause injury or shatter the glass. Wood patio doors that open outward are also more exposed to rainwater than their inward-opening counterparts – particularly if the top of the door hasn’t been finished with the same attention as the front and back. But these issues can be reduced with considerate use and maintenance.

At Climadoor, all our external patio doors are supplied with a minimum 3 coats of durable coating, and all products are backed by a 10 year guarantee.

Safety

In some circumstances, inward-opening doors are safer than outward opening ones. In the case of fire, it’s easier for rescuers to smash their way through an inward-opening door.

Having a door open inward will also remove the possibility of opening it into the path of a person on the other side - a real concern if it's a door that opens straight out into a plublic space!

Outward opening bifold patio doors

If you are short on space inside and outside, bifold patio doors may be the perfect solution. Opening outwards the windows concertina. Bifold doors slide into position along a rail and fold neatly to the side of the doorway, taking up less of your outside space. Bi folding patio doors have excellent integrity when it comes to safety, security and weather proofing.

In Summary

When it comes to patio door installation, they will almost always open outwards, especially French style patio doors. Patio doors are meant to allow a flow from the house into the garden. Throwing open the doors on a summer's day, letting the kids and the dog (and the neighbours cat) run freely between the two spaces, creating one large open and light space is the intention most homeowners have in mind. There may be instances though, especially in built up areas where outside space is limited and maybe an inward-opening french patio door is more suitable.

Additional Information

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Where are Fire Doors Required?

Unsure whether you need a fire door? Here we look at where you'll need to install one and how you can check if your current internal doors are fire doors.

What Are Fire Doors?

Unsure what fire doors are or why might need them? Here we answer your fire-rated door related questions with our helpful guide.

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Ready to choose new internal door handles? Unsure whether to go for traditional or modern handles? Check out our style tips to help you decide.

Can external bifold doors fold inwards?

It is possible to get bifold doors that fold up inside your home, rather than protruding out into your garden. This makes them a great choice if you’re short on garden space and want to make the most of it, without obstructing your outdoor space.

Can bifold doors be reversed?

One of the brilliant things about bifold doors is how flexible they are. They can be set to open inwards or outwards. It is even a relatively simple job to reverse them once they are already hung by moving the pivot bracket and hinges.

Can bifold doors open from both sides?

Bifold doors can be set up in any configuration you choose either centre opening, right opening or left opening. Depending on how many panels your door consists of, you can even set them up to have one or two panels on one side and the rest on the other.

However, as the panels are hinged together, you will need to decide how you want your doors set up before you buy them and order them accordingly. Unlike the direction they open, this is not something that can easily be changed during or after installation.

Can French doors open inwards?

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.

It is not always possible to change the hinge placement on French doors (particularly external ones) though, so it is important that you pick the opening direction of your doors before you order and get a pair that is already set up that way.