Why do entrance doors open inwards?

Ever fumbled with an umbrella in the rain while desperately yanking on the front door trying to get it open? Do you ever accidentally push instead of pull when trying to leave an unfamiliar building?

We get it. Which way a door opens isn’t exactly something you think about every day, but as it turns out, almost every single entrance door you’ll pass through in your life opens inwards. Why, though? As it turns out, it’s far from arbitrary, and there’s an interesting mix of history, safety, and even psychology behind why entrance doors open inwards.

Why do entrance doors open inwards?

Security

As the hinges are on the inside of an inward-opening door, this removes the ability to tamper with the hinges from the outside and potentially break into the property.

It is, of course, possible to force open the door as the door leaf opens and closes on the frame—a weakness that makes the fire brigade happy—so locks and strong hinges are doubly important.

Weather

A door opening inwards into the property cannot be as affected by the weather as much as if it opened outwards. So less slamming and being locked out! Ironically, an outward-opening door is a better barrier against the cold, as the door can close onto the frame and be better sealed. In colder parts of the country, drifting snow could trap occupants in a house with an outward-opening door.

Practicalities

Victorian housing is often built directly adjacent to the footpath. In this case, an outward-opening door would knock over passersby, so another good reason!

Do any doors open outwards?

Good question! Yes, they do. Commercial buildings or buildings with a lot of foot traffic often have outward-opening doors for safety reasons. In the event that a lot of people have to quickly leave the building, for example, in an emergency, outward-opening doors allow large crowds to quickly exit without the risk of the first people at the door getting pinned to it, unable to open the door and getting crushed from behind.

Why do we stick with inward-opening doors?

Ok, and now the truth. There really isn’t a good argument for inward-opening doors in today’s world. It’s rather like the argument for still using sash windows, which continental Europe laughs at. But we are British, and we love the traditions and peculiarities of our inward-opening front doors and, of course, our beautiful sash windows.

The next time you step inside and shut the world out behind you, spare a second to appreciate the small quirks of home design that shape how we live our everyday lives.

Ayrton Bespoke: London’s Preferred Timber Front Doors and Window Specialists

At Ayrton Bespoke, we understand that the right front door and windows offer more than simple functionality or the right look. We design and manufacture handcrafted, bespoke timber doors and windows with everything discussed in this article in mind, ensuring every last window and door is secure, exceeds insulation standards, and adds value to the home.

Whether building the home of your dreams or restoring a period property, reach out to Ayrton Bespoke for a free, no-obligation discussion of your needs and how we can help ensure a perfect fit.

Robert Ditcham,
Founder and CEO,
Ayrton Bespoke