Exterior French Doors

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi, I just had exterior french doors installed. Do they look like they've been installed backwards? Ignore the fact that the landing hasn't be extended yet.

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PRO

PPF.

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

If you look at the sill, you will easily see if the door is an in or out swing.

On the left is an in swing, right is an out swing. Your sill may look a bit different, but an in swing door will close on top of the sill, were an out swing door will close against it.

Hinges are another clue. Hinges on an out swing door will have a tab or pin as shown in the image below that fits into a hole when the door is closed keeping the hinge together even if the pin is removed. They may also have something that keeps the pin from being removed unless the door is open.

The piece that covers the gap between the doors is called an astrigal, and on the out swing doors that I've installed, has gone on the exterior, but you need to look at the door manufacturers installation instructions to know about your door.

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Comments (15)

jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
Interior picture
luvsparis
5 years ago
Shouldn’t the hinges be on the inside?
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jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
That’s what I thought too.
Nidnay
5 years ago
What was there before?
jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
A single door.
Pete Yeomans
5 years ago
Did you spec “out swing” doors? Most French doors are in swing. If you did spec out swing the hinges will always be on the outside.
jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
I didn’t specify either in or out swing. And when I looked at the order form it didn’t say either. I just figured it would be in swing because I thought that’s how most french doors are. So I just assumed it would be in swing. I didn’t think to ask.
Helen 72
5 years ago
They look perfectly fine to me. We have 2 sets of French doors opening on to our outdoor area, they both have hinges on the outside & swing out.
jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
@Helen 72, do your French doors‘ metal weather strips at the bottom of the doors go inside the house like these do? See the interior photo in the comment above.
remodeling1840
5 years ago
What is the building code in your area? Frankly, you should be happy they don’t take up floor space inside your house.
Olga Kramar
5 years ago
How easily are the hinges removed by an intruder/burglar? And yes, all the French doors I’ve had have swung in. When I see a customary way of doing something, I ask myself why. Could it be that wind outside would have them flapping around making noise and possibly breaking? Outdoor shutters generally have tie downs of some sort.
jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you PPF! That is all super helpful!! The sill is definitely the right one pictured and the astrigal is definitely on the interior. So I’m now convinced that the door was installed backwards. Thank you all for your thoughts!
PRO
PPF.
5 years ago
The sill is definitely the right one pictured

That is the out swing sill. Did you look at the hinges?

I think the door is correct, possibly the astrigal is wrong.

Another clue is the 3 small openings you can see along the bottom frame outside. Those are probably weep holes and would need to be facing the exterior.
jmpbp thanked PPF.
jmpbp
Original Author
5 years ago
Oops! I mistyped. It’s the sill on the left. I’m not near the property so I can’t check the hinge yet. But I will definitely check the hinges and the 3 small openings that you suggested Next time I’m there. Thank you again PPF!! Super helpful!