December 18, 2025
Written by
Clark Hall
Expert reviewed by Scarlet Fretwell

Inswing vs Outswing Door: Which is Best?

Inswing vs outswing door - which is best? We give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

There are many advantages and disadvantages to both inswing and outswing doors. Here’s everything you need to know.

One of the first major considerations when purchasing a new door is deciding between installing an inswing vs an outswing door. Both options are available to you, and each swing direction has pros and cons. At Clark Hall, we provide a comprehensive white-glove experience, working with you from start to finish to ensure you get the custom door and craftsmanship of your dreams. All of our high-quality doors are made from durable iron, which means they require minimal maintenance and are built to last. They can even add value to your home! This guide will review the specifics of these doors, determine what works in your space, and outline their advantages and disadvantages.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of choosing between inswing and outswing doors, it’s important to understand the difference between them. For external doors, stand outside as if you’re about to enter your home. If the door swings outward to where you’re standing, it’s an outswing door. If you have to push the door to enter, it’s an inswing door. With internal doors, the room you’re about to enter is classed as the interior, and the place you’re standing is the exterior.

How to Determine Door Swing

Whether a door is inswing or outswing isn’t always a matter of preference, but necessity. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you along your way to purchasing the best door for your specific needs.

Space

Sometimes, simply looking at the space available inside or outside your home can help you decide between an inswing and an outswing door. For instance, if you have a relatively large dining room off a narrow hallway, an inswing door might be the best space-saving option.

The answer may not always be this simple, but it’s a good idea to visualize entering or exiting a room to determine how you want your doors to open. For example, patio doors would be considered outswing, but when you’re inside, you are visualizing walking out onto your patio. Having doors you have to pull into the room may create a more awkward, less dramatic effect.

Always consider your home’s layout and your family’s lifestyle to determine the best option. This strategy also works for custom interior doors, depending on the space constraints of each room or hallway.

One of the first things you need to do is measure for new doors. This will help you determine how much space you’ll need, whether your new door is inswing or outswing. This can seem like a daunting task, but at Clark Hall, we will take the final measurements for you to ensure the best fit.

Security Considerations

Keeping your family safe is an essential part of building the perfect home. Both inswing and outswing doors have their perks when it comes to security, but they also have their downsides. For example, if you live in an area where snow buildup is common, an inswing door is your best bet. However, outswing doors are generally more robust against forced entry attempts and high winds.

Building Codes

Depending on where you live, you may need to follow specific building codes when adding a new exterior door to your home. These can include how your door swings open to allow a quick exit in emergencies. So, it’s always best to check with your local authority or consult the International Building Code. In addition, you can discuss your concerns with one of our experts at Clark Hall, who will be happy to offer you advice.

Design and Style

An attractive, modern front door design can really set the tone for your home, as can the design details. Internal doors also play a major role in the aesthetics of your living area, especially if you have space constraints. For example, double front doors can add more drama and let in more light than single front doors. You can also choose sliding doors, custom French doors, or even pivot doors at the back of your home.

Have a question about which door style is right for your home?

How Swing and Handing Affect Components and Hardware

Both inswing and outswing doors can be left or right-hand active doors. However, whichever you choose, your choice determines the types of components and hardware you need for the door.

Astragals and Seals

Astragals are used with a pair of double doors. An astragal is a vertical strip that acts as a seal between them. Because it has to close the gap, the type of astragal you need is directly tied to the door swing and handing: left-hand inswing astragal, left-hand outswing astragal, right-hand inswing astragal, and right-hand outswing astragal. The same is true for a standard door seal. Where it is placed on the door depends on how the door swings and where the handle is. However, a sweep, or bottom seal, is not affected by the door’s handing; only the swing is.

Multipoint Locking Systems

In a multipoint locking system, the way a door is handled directly affects how the hardware is installed. The locking system will be located on the same side as the door handle, either right or left. Locks also often have an angled edge that hits the strike plate as the door closes, so whether the door is inswing or outswing will determine which way that beveled side must face to catch the latch correctly.

Hinge Types and Placement

As with astragals, there are four basic hinge types and placements to choose from. These are:

Inswing left. The hinges are on the left-hand side. So, when the door is opened, it will swing to the left upon entry.
Inswing right. The hinges are positioned on the right-hand side of the door. Therefore, the door needs to be pushed inwards and will swing to the right on entry.
Outswing left. The hinges are on the left of the door, but the door needs to be pulled towards you to open it.
Outswing right. The hinges are on the right-hand side of the door. The door will open out towards you as you are entering a room.

Advantages of Inswing Doors

You might be wondering if the swing direction of your door really matters. The answer is yes! Below are some of the benefits of inswing doors:

Space utilization: Inswing doors are a better option if you’re short on space. For instance, adding an inswing door to your bedroom will prevent the door from swinging out into the hallway and blocking people from passing. Inswing doors give the illusion of more space when used correctly.
Security: Inswing doors have their hinges on the inside, making it more difficult for intruders to gain access. However, this design can make the door easier to kick in. If you are concerned about security, you can get security hinges or deadbolt locks to make unwanted access more difficult.
Weather resistance: If you’re thinking about purchasing a custom exterior door, inswing doors are particularly beneficial for snow-prone areas, as there’s less of a risk of you being trapped in your home due to snow buildup.
Ease of screen integration: Retractable screens can be installed on inswing doors, and they are usually mounted on the interior side of the door.

Disadvantages of Inswing Doors

As with everything, there are some disadvantages to inswing doors. These are:

Difficulty with accessibility: Inswing doors make it harder for you to quickly leave your home in an emergency. It can also be much more difficult to access the home if someone has fallen against the door.
Wind loading: Inswing doors are more susceptible to strong winds and wind loading, the force exerted by the wind. There is also the risk that the door will be blown inside the home during a hurricane. If you’re considering installing an inswing door at your home’s entrance, you should be aware that it may require an additional seal to make it more water-resistant. In addition, you can consider adding a storm door for extra weather resistance, which swings outward and can be left- or right-handed.

Advantages of Outswing Doors

Outswing doors offer many benefits over inswing doors. Below, we discuss the main advantages of outswing doors:

Weather resistance: Outswing doors are more beneficial in areas with severe weather because of their threshold design, which prevents water and debris from entering the home.
Tighter seal: Inswing doors use a sweep gasket to keep water and debris out. However, constant friction can cause them to wear quickly. Outswing doors close on a positive stop on the door frame and a compression gasket that requires minimal friction. Therefore, creating a tighter seal.
Easy accessibility: As the compression gasket on an outswing door doesn’t use friction, it tends to be easier to open than an inswing door. Although in our modern age, the difference is fairly minimal. ADA clearance also requires that the door be 32 inches wide and that the maneuvering space be 60 inches by 60 inches on the pull side.
Enhanced security. Outswing doors are notoriously more difficult to force open from the outside. So, they may offer enhanced security from burglars. Building regulations state that commercial buildings must have out-swinging doors on the exterior because they have a tighter seal, reduce air leakage, and offer a broader range of security measures to deter intruders.

Disadvantages of Outswing Doors

Below are some of the potential disadvantages of installing outswing doors in your home:

Outdoor space needs: Outswing doors require more outdoor space than inswing doors to open safely. However, they do allow more space and flexibility inside the home.
Exposed hinges: Outswing doors have their hinges positioned on the outside. This may pose a security risk, as intruders could remove the pins. Furthermore, the hinges are constantly exposed to the elements, which may make them more prone to rust. At Clark Hall, we use Heavy-duty barrel hinges instead of traditional pin hinges to increase the security and durability of our doors. We also recommend cleaning iron doors to extend the life of your new door. Clark Hall also offers corrosion-resistant finishes to keep your door looking brand new even longer!
Screen compatibility: Retractable screens can be installed on outswing doors, mounted on the interior side of the door.beehiive

Comparing Performance of Inswing vs. Outswing Doors

For a quick glance comparison between the most significant factors affecting doors, we’ve created this chart. It compares important issues such as water resistance, accessibility, and maintenance.

Factor	Inswing Doors (Opens Inward)	Outswing Doors (Opens Outward)
Water Resistance	Lower: Uses a sweep gasket at the threshold. Water can be forced under the door sweep by wind-driven rain.	Higher: Uses a positive stop and compression gasket. The door pushes against the frame/threshold.
Air Sealing (Threshold Design)	Lower/Average: Relies on friction and a sweep gasket. Requires proper adjustment and replacement when worn to maintain a tight seal.	Higher/Superior: Relies on a compression seal. Wind pressure pushes the door tighter against the frame, enhancing the seal. Less wear on the seal than a sweep gasket.
Wind Pressure Rating	Lower: Strong wind pressure (like in a hurricane) pushes against the door and the jamb, potentially forcing it open, or inward.	Higher: Strong wind pressure pushes the door into the frame, creating a tighter seal and providing a stronger structural resistance.
ADA Clearances	Generally Preferred for Egress/Accessibility: Easier to open when entering the building from a ramp or exterior space — door doesn’t swing into the exterior approach path. Commonly used for residential accessibility.	Preferred for Interior Space/Accessible Bathroom Stalls: Saves valuable interior floor space, especially beneficial in tight areas like accessible restroom stalls where the door must not obstruct maneuvering clearance inside.
Maintenance	Moderate: Requires periodic adjustment/replacement of the bottom sweep gasket due to friction and wear. Hinges are inside, protected from the elements.	Moderate: Compression seals are generally more durable, requiring less frequent seal maintenance. However, exterior hinges must be tamper-proof and may require more frequent maintenance due to exposure to the elements.

Selecting Your Ideal Door Swing

Determining whether an inswing or outswing door is right for your home is a delicate balance between your style, the local climate, home space, building codes, and accessibility. It is essential to take all of these factors into consideration to avoid any future headaches. We understand that purchasing a new door can be complex and confusing, especially when you work with multiple companies. To put your mind at ease, Clark Hall works with you throughout the customization process to minimize stress and maximize the potential of your home with a beautiful new iron door by offering a turnkey CAD-to-installation process. Want to learn more? Contact one of our experts to learn more about our white glove experience and get recommendations on which door swing best suits your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell if a door is inswing or outswing?

An inswing door swings into your home or the room you want to enter. Whereas, outswing doors swing outward to your outdoor space. For example, if you want to go into a bedroom, you have to push an inswing door into the room itself. However, an outswing door will need to be pulled out into the hallway.

Will extreme weather affect my door swing choice?

Yes, typically, outswing doors are considered more weather and rain-resistant. While inswing doors keep the weather at bay, they’re less resistant to wind pressure and rain seepage because of how they seal and open. Outswing doors are less likely to be forced open by bad weather.

Can I change my door swing direction during a retrofit?

Yes, it’s possible with a bit of work. Changing the swing of a door involves modifying the frame and jamb, as well as installing the door itself. You’ll need to rotate the jamb assembly, reinstall it, and patch the wall trim. The cost of the project depends mainly on the type of door you replace it with, the hardware you choose, and whether you reuse the existing frame and door jamb. Depending on the scope, the timeline can range from a few hours to a day.

Does swing direction impact energy efficiency?

Yes! Just like with weather resistance, inswing and outswing doors differ in their air-sealing performance. Outswing doors are often considered more energy efficient due to the strong seal provided by the compression gasket. The sweep gasket of an inswing door is not considered as efficient.

Are there building codes or ADA requirements for door swing?

Yes! There are building codes and ADA requirements for door swing, primarily related to emergency egress and maneuverability. For instance, doors must have sufficient maneuvering clearance on either side to allow wheelchair access.

Is it OK to have an outswing exterior door?

It’s perfectly fine to choose an outswing exterior door. In fact, most building codes state that you must have an outswing door on commercial buildings because they reduce air leakage and therefore, are more energy efficient. However, there are certain circumstances where an inswing door may be better. For example, inswing doors are better for snow-prone areas because there’s less of a risk of you being trapped in your own home.