I am wondering if anyone out there can tell me if it is possible to easily convert an exterior pre-hung inswing door to an outswing one, as I don't want to wait the two weeks that it will take to get one in stock. I know that I would have to pop off the brick moulding and put it on the other side of the door, but I am not sure about what to do with the sill plate, as it is slanted and can't be turned around and still be functional. If I order a custom outswing door will the door still be flush with the outside of the jamb instead of being recessed like on an inswing version?
Maybe this cannot be done at all, and if not I would appreciate knowing before hand!!
Thanks

 

The door should be on the outside and will have special hinges that the pins cant be knocked out easily for security. I wanted a double outswing and it was gonna start at five hundred plus. I found to outswings a a lumberyard that were "deadstock" for twenty five each.I took the top and lock sides off and cut a longer top from one of the discarded sides. I didn't use a sill as I knew it would get trashed riding motorcycles over it.

 

Most exterior doors swing in. It is possible to special order outswing exterior doors, but they are not nearly as common.

If this door is for your house, or any building you plan to heat or cool, and if you don't live in Hawaii, I'd strongly discourage trying to modify an inswing door to an outswing. You will have a hard time getting the weathersripping and waterstop features to work right after flipping the door around. With the cost of energy due to keep rising for the forseeable future, you don't need to be stuck with a leaky exterior door down the road just because you couldn't wait the two weeks now. Put up a temporary construction door in the interim, to keep the critters and bad guys out.

 

Outswing doors are required by code in hurricane country. I'm pretty sure they are special order where you are but they will be properly set up for your installation. Try Jeld Wen in Klamath Falls, OR. I'm pretty sure they ship all over.

 

you might want to wait the two weeks

5 minutes to take the old door out, ten minutes to install the new door is a heck of a lot easyer than tryin to modify

 

If you have any lumberyards that cater to commercial stuff they may have them as a lot of commercial applications are outswing.

 

All right, thanks for the info, guys. Will either find one at lumberyard or wait the two weeks. I think that the special order outswing door will be indentical to the inswing except for the sill plate. I cannot find any outswing doors around to look at and compare though.
thanks again.

 

I would highly recommend not putting in an outswing door unless it is absolutely necessary.
Several problems with an outswing door.
1. Security.
2. Impossible to have screen door unless you'd want it on the inside.
3. If the door is left open, the wind can catch it and slam it into the house.
4. The outswing hinders access on the exterior unless the landing area is large enough.

 

The door goes out to a "three season" porch that is equipped with storm windows and screens and a screen door.
What is the security issue?

 

I have installed several outswingers, and would rather have them in my house. Four were "Peachtree" with insulated glass that would slide up to make use of the screen. It sure is hard to kick in a outswing door, and it doesn't take up any inside space. Also, you don't have to sweat it if you install carpet or raise the floor. The hinges will be of security type. A screen door can be installed that will open out, look at travel trailer doors. Security is a moot point as if someone wants to get in a place bad enough they can do so.

 

Inswings are usually mandatory for exterior doors. You may want to check with your local code office about it before you install an outswing door. It's a security thing, because it's easier to hold an inswing shut (from the inside) than an outswing. IMO, both have their disadvantages, though.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought entrance residental doors had to swing in. For firemen and such. Not really sure but worth looking into.