Out Swing Door

out-swing door Questions and Answers

out-swing door  questions

Out Swing Door

Kathy asked:

Hi Tony,
I live in an apartment that has an out swing front door. When you close it, it pulls like it is attached to a magnet; and you cannot close it quietly. Is there a way to fix this? I try to pull it very slowly… but when it gets to the frame, it slams! Also, the hinges are on the outside – which makes no sense to me!
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Happy New Year!!!

 

out-swing door answer

 

Hi Kathy,

It is entirely possible that your out swing door has a magnetic weather strip similar to the magnetic weather stripone found on a refrigerator. If this is the case it will cause the door to snap closed when it nears the weather striping.  The only other thing that comes to mind that might cause your door to close quickly is the wind.  An out swing door tends to be affected by the wind more than in swing doors, although wind is as likely to blow the door open as it is closed.  If it is necessary to close the door quietly, use your foot or your shoulder against the door to overpower the force of the magnet just as the door closes.

The hinges on an out swing door are vulnerable to break in’s if they are not security Security Hingehinges. Security hinges should have tamper resistant hinge pins or interlocking tabs that prevent the door panel from being removed even if the hinge pins are removed.  Check with your building maintenance or a professional door installation contractor to determine if your door has security hinges.

Some areas require an out swing door to meet local building code requirements for storm or fire safety.  Additionally it is much harder to kick or shoulder in an out swing door than an in swing because it rests against the door stop when closed, whereas an in swing door is totally dependent upon the lock-set and dead bolt to prevent forced entry.

Because the lock set bolt on an out swing door is easier to tamper with than on an in swing door, a dead-bolt lock is a must on any out swing door to maximize security.

I hope this information proves helpful,

Tony


 

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About Tony Wood

Tony is a life time resident of North Carolina with over 40 years experience in multiple facets of the industrial, commercial and residential construction industry. For the past 33 years he has owned and operated Wood's Home Maintenance Service, providing services primarily in Johnston, Wake and Sampson Counties of North Carolina. ______________ ______________________________________________________ The information contained in this Blog is opinion derived, from hands on experience of over 40 years in the construction industry and by extensive research by the author. All postulations are referenced to the geographic location in which this experience was gained.
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