Do it Yourself: [DIY] Out Swinging Doors

01 August 2013

[DIY] Out Swinging Doors

Posted by: "Mike Shoaf" mike.shoaf@yahoo.com

> if you need the door to be an emergency exit, it should probably swing
> out

Hi Mike;

That is done in commercial buildings, because in an
emergency a frightened crowd is likely to push against
the door, and an in-swinging door would trap people.
There is never that kind of occupant load in a house
or garage, so the advantage of an in-swinging door
usually far outweighs those for an out-swinging door.
However, for a garage, which is not a place where
people stay, the convenience factor, for opening the
door while standing inside is not very important. But,
out swinging doors do swing out into rain and other
weather. They are also easier to break into, even
when special set pin hinges are used. But, for sheds
that might be packed up to the door, and for narrow
garages where there may not be room for the door
swing without hitting a car, an out swinging door
may be a better option than in-swing.

IIRC there was an earlier question regarding setting the
door on the bottom plate of the wall, or on the concrete
garage floor. It is standard practice to remove the plate,
so that the sill sets directly on the floor, rather than having
it significantly higher, which could be a tripping hazard,
as well as a nuisance for anything on wheels

-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Design and
Solar Heating/Natural Cooling/Energy
Efficiency Consultation Since 1975
www.ThermalAttic.com (many new
photos and pages, coming soon)

Read my Solar house design articles in:
-Energy Self-Sufficiency Newsletter-
www.essnmag.com

Home base-LittleHouses YahooGroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LittleHouses/

Founder-WoodGas - Power from wood
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WoodGas

Founder-RefrigeratorAlternatives YahooGroup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RefrigeratorAlternatives