Securing a door that opens outward is crucial to ensuring the safety and protection of your home or business. How to secure an outward-opening door presents unique challenges regarding reinforcing security compared to inward-swinging doors. However, with the right knowledge and techniques, you can effectively fortify the entire door structure against forced entry attempts with several door barricades and locking systems.
One of the primary considerations when securing an outward-opening door is the type of hinges it uses. Stud hinges, set screw hinges, or security stud hinges can successfully prevent forced entries. Using fast riveted or geared hinges can provide added strength and stability, making it harder to remove hinge pins.
To further enhance security, installing security film on the door’s outer surface can reinforce the glass against break-ins. While security bars or a door security bar can act as physical barriers against unauthorized access, latch guards can be added to protect the locking mechanism and ensure its integrity.
Addressing vulnerabilities in the door frame and surrounding areas is important when reinforcing an outward swinging door. Whether protecting your home or commercial building, implementing security measures on outward swinging doors will provide maximum security and peace of mind.
In our guide, you can learn how to combine the right hardware and reinforcement techniques and include a security system. By the end, you’ll better understand how to protect your home against forced entry attempts from outward opening doors and ensure the safety of those within. (Read Why Is My Oven Smoking While Preheating)
How to Barricade A Door That Opens Out in 6 Steps
Swinging doors, inward or outward, can present unique security challenges for homeowners. By implementing these measures, you can enhance the security of your home and enjoy peace of mind.
Reinforce Hinges:
Intruders often target the hinges of swinging doors. To strengthen this vulnerable point, consider replacing the existing hinges with non-removable, security stud hinges, or set screw hinges. These specialized hinges prevent the door’s barrel from being quickly lifted off its hinges, offering added protection.
Install Latch Guards:
A latch guard is a thin metal plate that covers the gap between the door and the frame, preventing unauthorized access to the latch. Installing a latch guard on your swinging door can eliminate a criminal’s easy access to the latch and enhance security.
Use Door Barricades:
Door barricades are effective tools for securing swinging doors. Install a three-part door lock barricade system that allows the door to fasten to a plate screwed into the floor plate with a locking arm.
This prevents the door from opening and adds a significant layer of security. Ensure proper clearance and placement to optimize functionality.
Consider Door Security Bars:
Door security bars are sturdy devices that provide additional protection for swinging doors like the above-door barricade. While many security bars are designed for doors that open inwards, specific options are also available for outward-swinging doors.
These bars are attached to the door and frame, creating a secure barrier that is challenging to breach like an inward swinging door would be. Using a broom handle and duct tape can stand in for a security bar inside, yet they are not a permanent solution. (Read Applying Weather Stripping To Doors)
Tie Doorknob to a Heavy Object:
A creative and simple solution for temporary outward-swinging door security is to tie the doorknob or locking handle to a heavy object or piece of furniture. Use a strong tether, like a rope, cable, or chain, to connect the doorknob and locking handle to an immovable item nearby. This method adds resistance to spot open doors under force.
Invest in a Home Security System:
Enhance the overall security of your home by installing a comprehensive home security system.
Types of Security Hinges: Enhancing Door Security
Regarding securing outward-opening doors, one of the critical components to consider is the type of hinges used. Hinges play a significant role in maintaining the integrity and security of a door, especially regarding outward swinging doors, as they are more vulnerable than an inward opening door.
1. Stud Hinges
Stud hinges are commonly used for butt hinges, and they offer an additional level of security by preventing the removal of a hinge pin on an outward opening door. When the door is closed, these hinges work by having a stud on one leaf of the hinge that fits into a hole in the other leaf.
This configuration prevents the door’s separation from its leaves, even if the hinge pins are removed or the barrel is cut off.
By locking the leaves together, stud hinges make it significantly harder for intruders to force their way through the door.
2. Setscrew Hinges
Setscrew hinges are another type of hinge to enhance door security, particularly for outward-opening doors. When the door is closed, setscrew hinges conceal the hinges, making removing the hinge pins challenging.
The hidden hinge pins add an extra layer of protection against forced entry attempts. By choosing setscrew hinges for your outward swinging door, you can minimize the vulnerability of exposed hinges.
3. Continuous Hinges
Continuous hinges, also known as piano hinges, offer comprehensive coverage along the entire length of the door and frame. These hinges leave no room for burglars to exploit the hinge side of the door, as the continuous hinge covers the entire gap.
Intruders attempting to break in would need to cut the entire length of the door, which significantly increases the difficulty and time required for unauthorized access.
Continuous hinges can be further classified into two types: geared and pin-and-barrel.
- Geared Hinges: Geared hinges are connected by two gears enclosed in a casing. This design provides added security as it prevents easy manipulation of the hinge pins from the outside.
- Pin-and-Barrel Hinges: In pin-and-barrel hinges, the hinge pins are enclosed within a barrel. This type of continuous hinge also offers enhanced security by preventing easy removal of the hinge pins.
Choosing continuous hinges for your outward swinging door ensures that the entire door length is fortified, leaving intruders with a formidable challenge if they attempt forced entry.
4. Non-Removable Hinge Pins
Non-removable hinge pins, also known as crimped pin fast-riveted hinges, provide an effective solution to prevent hinge pin removal on a door that opens outward. These hinges are designed with flattened tops and bottoms on the hinge pins.
When the door is closed, the flat nature of the non-removable hinge pins makes them virtually impossible to remove.
An intruder must cut the door’s barrel to remove the pins, which is a significant deterrent. Non-removable hinge pins add an extra layer of security to outward swinging doors, making them more resistant to forced entry attempts.
5. Door Lock Hinge Protector
A door lock hinge protector is an additional security measure on top of the above security hinges on your outward opening door. This solution works well with most commercial steel doors and doesn’t require significant adjustments or replacing existing hinges.
The door lock hinge protector prevents the door from being lifted after removing the hinge pins, making the door secure and challenging for intruders to pry open.
By adding a door lock hinge protector to your outward swinging door, you can reinforce the security of your exterior door without compromising the aesthetics or functionality of the door.
Use a Security Bar to Secure French Doors That Open Out
French doors are known for their elegance and charm but can pose a security challenge when they open outward.
Unlike inward-swinging doors, outward-opening doors, including French doors, have unique vulnerabilities that must be addressed to ensure the safety of your home.
Understanding the Vulnerabilities
French doors that open outward are more susceptible to forced entries than those that open inward. The hinges of outward swinging doors are typically on the outside, making them quickly accessible for potential burglars. These exposed hinges can be compromised, removing the entire door within seconds. This vulnerability puts your home and belongings at risk.
Addressing these vulnerabilities and reinforcing the weak points is essential to secure outward opening French doors effectively. While several methods are available, using a security bar specifically designed for outward swinging doors is an excellent solution. (Read Squeaky Refrigerator Door)
The Role of a Security Bar
A security bar is a sturdy metal device that reinforces the door’s structure and provides additional protection against forced entry attempts. It braces against the floor and the door, making it extremely challenging for intruders to push or kick the door open.
When properly installed, a security bar can effectively deter burglars and provide peace of mind for homeowners.
Installation Process and Considerations
Installing an outswing door security bar for French doors that open out is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
- Measure the height of your door to ensure you choose a security bar that fits properly.
- Position the bar on the floor, parallel to the door, with the bracket against the door.
- Adjust the length of the bar to fit snugly between the floor and the door handle.
- Extend the bar until it firmly presses against the floor and the door handle.
- Ensure the bar is securely placed, providing a strong barrier against external force.
When selecting a security bar, consider its durability and strength. Look for models specifically designed for outward swinging doors to ensure a proper fit and maximum security.
Alternative ways to secure outward swinging French doors:
Regarding home security, one of the essential aspects to consider is the protection of your exterior doors. Outward-opening doors, including French doors, present a unique challenge as they are more vulnerable to force attacks than inward-opening doors.
However, with the right knowledge and strategies, you can effectively secure your outward swinging doors and enhance the safety of your home.
Secure the Door Hinges
There are several types of security hinges available to strengthen your outswing door:
Non-removable pin hinges (fast-riveted hinges): These hinges have pins with flattened or crimped ends, and the rivets prevent the pin from being removed or popping out.
Stud hinges: Like standard hinges, stud hinges come with built-in studs.
Install a Latch Guard to Prevent Exterior Door Entries
Another common issue with outswing exterior doors is a gap between the door and the frame. This gap becomes a point of weakness, and you can quickly address this problem by installing a latch guard.
A latch guard is a simple metal bar device designed to cover the gap between the doorjamb and the outswing doors, restricting access to the latch from the outside. Latch guards are available in different sizes and colors, allowing you to choose a floor plate that matches your door’s aesthetics.
Use Patlock for French Doors That Open Outward
These doors add elegance and charm to any home but require specific security measures because of their unique design. Unlike many other security installation types, which require drilling. This device effectively secures the interior handles of the out-swinging doors, preventing the exterior handles from being operated and preventing any exterior door swing.
If Patlock doesn’t meet your requirements, an alternative option is the French door plate mounts on the lock stile and door frame independently from the front door handles. (Read Door Sticks After Painting)
Protect the Glass with Security Film
Even with reinforced hinges and a security bar in place, the glass panels of outswing doors remain vulnerable. Installing security window film adds an extra layer of outward swinging door security on homes and commercial buildings by making the glass more resistant to breakage.
This film holds the shattered glass together, making it challenging for burglars to access the doors.
