The Reason Why Doors Open Outward In Florida

What do you do after jotting down the most affordable places to live in Florida? You, of course, hop on a house-hunting platform and start sifting through images of available properties. During one such inspection, you might come across outward-opening external doors. They aren't a design mistake or an idiosyncratic homeowner's personal choice. In fact, they're on par with the Florida Building Code and are considered a preventative measure to safeguard a house during hurricanes. Considering Florida's been hit by 40% of all the hurricanes in the U.S. (according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), this small design choice can have a big impact, especially during the active hurricane season between June 1 and November 30.

To understand the reason why doors open outward in Florida, we caught up with Dallas Stevens, certified master inspector and owner of Florida Home Inspector Services. In the exclusive interview with House Digest, Stevens explained, "As an inspector who performs inspections in central Florida and primarily the Greater Tampa Bay area, we see these doors open outwards as well as inwards." So, while outward-opening ones are preferable, they aren't a must-have across Florida. "The requirements, per local (county) building codes, change per zone. South Florida is in zone one. Central Florida is zone two, and North Florida, to include the panhandle, is considered zone three," says Stevens. Depending on the severity of the hurricane and the associated risks, the requirements for external doors change from zone to zone.

Wondering why outward-facing external doors better protect a home against hurricanes than ones that swing inward? Stevens elaborates on the pros of the former in his exclusive House Digest interview. "Outward-swinging doors provide better resistance to high winds and flying debris, reducing the risk of the door being blown open and preventing water infiltration, which helps protect the home's interior and occupants." So, you won't have to worry about your front door caving in to the rising water and your house turning into a dirty lake during a storm surge. Outward-opening doors won't bow to the howling wind, either. Instead, it'll form a seal along the weather stripping around the frame, keeping your interiors safe.

"These standards were largely adopted after Hurricane Andrew," Stevens adds. It hit Southeast Florida in 1992 and is still considered among the top five most intense hurricanes to hit the mainland U.S. When prompted to share how outward-opening external doors can withstand deadly hurricanes, Stevens explains the relationship between the two. "Pressure! Hurricanes produce positive pressure on the windward or front-facing side of a home. This is typically where front doors are. However, the leeward, or rear-facing, side of the home may experience negative pressure." Basically, "This makes sliding glass doors, French doors, etc., more vulnerable and is why it is highly advised to protect the home with an exterior impact system [since] they will help to reduce these pressures as well."

Although protecting homes and residents from hurricanes is the primary job of doors that open outward in Florida, they have some other pros up their sleeve. One notable advantage is that they're more secure than their inward-opening counterparts. "Outward-hinged doors may provide an increased level of security from doors that open outward. It's harder to kick a door in that opens out versus one that opens in," explains Stevens in his exclusive interview with House Digest. Thanks to their reinforced hinges and the door frame acting as an additional layer of security, you won't have to place everyday items on your door to keep your home safer. Besides preventing forced entry, they also create more usable interior space.

But this can be a double-edged sword because you'll have to clear out the space outside so the door can open without issues. You'll also have less control in case you open the door to a burglar or an ill-meaning individual. That being said, you can always look through the peephole before turning the lock or sliding the deadbolt. While you can choose between outward and inward opening doors if you reside in a less risky Florida zone, you'll have to opt for the former in particularly storm-prone areas. Don't know which zone you fall in? Stevens suggests, "A licensed home inspector may be able to assist homeowners as well as certified general contractors, county code inspectors, professional engineers, and any individual recognized by the insurance industry under Section 627.711(2) of the Florida Statutes."