Most exterior doors open by swinging inward.
Understanding Exterior Door Operation
Exterior doors serve as the primary entry and exit points for a building. While various types of exterior doors exist, a common method of opening is by swinging. According to Monroe Engineering, most exterior doors swing inward for security purposes.
How Swinging Doors Work
Swinging doors operate using hinges. Hinges are mechanical bearings that connect the door slab to the door frame, allowing the door to pivot open and closed.
Based on the provided reference, hinges consist of:
- Two leafs (metal plates)
- A knuckle (the cylindrical part formed when the leafs join)
- A pin (connecting the leafs through the knuckle)
The door swings in the direction of the hinge knuckle. For security reasons, exterior doors are typically designed to swing inward, making it harder for an intruder to force the door open by attacking the external hinges.
Why Doors Swing Inward
The primary reason most exterior doors swing inward is for security. This design makes the hinges less accessible from the outside, providing an added layer of protection against forced entry. (Reference: Why Exterior Doors Swing Inward - Monroe Engineering)
